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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Music Developer: Harmonix Publisher: Electronic Arts |
If any company can be given credit for launching the genre of music games to a whole new level, it would have to be Harmonix with the
release of “Rock Band.” They broke the barrier of music games having to be able just play the drums, the guitar or singing. Instead
they allowed friends to get together and do all of them in one song. All three elements were merged together into a single enjoyable
game. With their second release, “Rock Band 2,” less than a year after the original, many of the issues in “Rock Band” were
addressed and the addition of the new online mode is sure to keep gamers rocking the night away for another year.
The largest addition to the series isn’t any specific feature or function of the game, but instead it is the 84 new songs. With all of the
songs being master tracks, these 84 songs represent the greatest collection of songs in a single game up to this point. However, what
makes “Rock Band 2” so special is the fact that it doesn’t end with only 84 tracks. Players are able to export all 55 songs from the
original game into the new version for a small fee. Also, any previously downloaded songs for “Rock Band” will automatically be
useable for the new game. On top of that, there are an additional 20 free songs available to anyone who purchases “Rock Band 2.”
The songs from the original game and the downloaded songs are worked into the game seamlessly and can be used in all modes of
the new game. With all of the possibilities, one could turn on “Rock Band 2” for the first time and have hundreds of songs available to
play.
When playing the game players aren’t going to notice many difference in game play from “Rock Band.” All of the stages from the first
game are back with only 15 new arenas added to spice things up a bit. The on-stage presentation has been developed with great new
camera angles and more addictive band members but the core game play is the same. Like they say, “Is it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,”
though there are a few minor tweaks. Players will notice a lot more hammer-ons in hard and expert modes and the “talk” parts on
vocals have been made much easier than before.
There are few new features to the game, but most players will head right to the World Tour. Some will be disappointed to find that World
Tour is mostly unchanged. Though the core functions of World Tour are the same, a few changes have been made. Players are now
able to play World Tour solo without and penalties. They will earn fans, cash and stars, even if they play alone on the drums. The
progression in World Tour is identical to the original version. The world map uses the same art and the challenges are set up in the
exact same way. The main difference is the fact that players can hire a variety of managers, publicists and other fans to help promote
the band. Some staff helps get gigs, other help bring in more money. It is a nice little addition, but it doesn’t really do much in the way
of innovation.
Of course there are a few flaws to the game, but the largest is the character creator. A few new faces, a new clothing store and some
tattoos do very little to improve what was offered in the first game. Players can still modify faces and create a good range of body types.
The tattoo creator has so much depth that is it a surprise that the character creator is so simplistic.
Though World Tour is a bit disappointing, there are a few new features that are great. Battle of the Bands is an online challenge mode
that is a huge hit. Though the name makes players think that is where bands battle head-to-head at the same time, but that isn’t how it
works. Battle of the Bands is a series of rotating challenges where each player’s score is compared against those they are playing
against.
“Rock Band 2” doesn’t ship with an instrument bundle. Assuming players own “Rock Band” then it is just $60 to own 84 new tracks
with some nice tweaks and additions. However, should players need to get instruments; they are available and are sold separately.
The guitar features a look similar to the original. The strum bar has been changed a bit, but the guitar is still inferior to what the Guitar
Hero guitar offers. A bonus for buying the new guitar is that it is wireless and that it has an auto-calibration feature that is very useful.
The drums are more expensive than the guitar, but it is worth the money, even if players own a set from the previous game. The new
set is wireless and much quieter than before. The pads are velocity sensitive, measuring the speed and force of each hit of the pads.
This will change the volume and accuracy of hits.
“Rock Band 2” improves on the original game, the track list is better, the difficulty has been bumped up and online modes are great.
World Tour is still the primary feature of “Rock Band 2” and yet it seems to have been neglected. It’s hard to notice a new game when
most of the game is the same thing as the original game. With that said, music fans would be crazy not to buy this game, it’s just too
good to pass up.
release of “Rock Band.” They broke the barrier of music games having to be able just play the drums, the guitar or singing. Instead
they allowed friends to get together and do all of them in one song. All three elements were merged together into a single enjoyable
game. With their second release, “Rock Band 2,” less than a year after the original, many of the issues in “Rock Band” were
addressed and the addition of the new online mode is sure to keep gamers rocking the night away for another year.
The largest addition to the series isn’t any specific feature or function of the game, but instead it is the 84 new songs. With all of the
songs being master tracks, these 84 songs represent the greatest collection of songs in a single game up to this point. However, what
makes “Rock Band 2” so special is the fact that it doesn’t end with only 84 tracks. Players are able to export all 55 songs from the
original game into the new version for a small fee. Also, any previously downloaded songs for “Rock Band” will automatically be
useable for the new game. On top of that, there are an additional 20 free songs available to anyone who purchases “Rock Band 2.”
The songs from the original game and the downloaded songs are worked into the game seamlessly and can be used in all modes of
the new game. With all of the possibilities, one could turn on “Rock Band 2” for the first time and have hundreds of songs available to
play.
When playing the game players aren’t going to notice many difference in game play from “Rock Band.” All of the stages from the first
game are back with only 15 new arenas added to spice things up a bit. The on-stage presentation has been developed with great new
camera angles and more addictive band members but the core game play is the same. Like they say, “Is it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,”
though there are a few minor tweaks. Players will notice a lot more hammer-ons in hard and expert modes and the “talk” parts on
vocals have been made much easier than before.
There are few new features to the game, but most players will head right to the World Tour. Some will be disappointed to find that World
Tour is mostly unchanged. Though the core functions of World Tour are the same, a few changes have been made. Players are now
able to play World Tour solo without and penalties. They will earn fans, cash and stars, even if they play alone on the drums. The
progression in World Tour is identical to the original version. The world map uses the same art and the challenges are set up in the
exact same way. The main difference is the fact that players can hire a variety of managers, publicists and other fans to help promote
the band. Some staff helps get gigs, other help bring in more money. It is a nice little addition, but it doesn’t really do much in the way
of innovation.
Of course there are a few flaws to the game, but the largest is the character creator. A few new faces, a new clothing store and some
tattoos do very little to improve what was offered in the first game. Players can still modify faces and create a good range of body types.
The tattoo creator has so much depth that is it a surprise that the character creator is so simplistic.
Though World Tour is a bit disappointing, there are a few new features that are great. Battle of the Bands is an online challenge mode
that is a huge hit. Though the name makes players think that is where bands battle head-to-head at the same time, but that isn’t how it
works. Battle of the Bands is a series of rotating challenges where each player’s score is compared against those they are playing
against.
“Rock Band 2” doesn’t ship with an instrument bundle. Assuming players own “Rock Band” then it is just $60 to own 84 new tracks
with some nice tweaks and additions. However, should players need to get instruments; they are available and are sold separately.
The guitar features a look similar to the original. The strum bar has been changed a bit, but the guitar is still inferior to what the Guitar
Hero guitar offers. A bonus for buying the new guitar is that it is wireless and that it has an auto-calibration feature that is very useful.
The drums are more expensive than the guitar, but it is worth the money, even if players own a set from the previous game. The new
set is wireless and much quieter than before. The pads are velocity sensitive, measuring the speed and force of each hit of the pads.
This will change the volume and accuracy of hits.
“Rock Band 2” improves on the original game, the track list is better, the difficulty has been bumped up and online modes are great.
World Tour is still the primary feature of “Rock Band 2” and yet it seems to have been neglected. It’s hard to notice a new game when
most of the game is the same thing as the original game. With that said, music fans would be crazy not to buy this game, it’s just too
good to pass up.
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