THE FAB FOUR FROM LIVERPOOL ARE FINALLY IN A VIDEOGAME!

The Beatles, one of the most successful bands in human history. The Beatles, a group who have inspired millions of young talents to pick up a guitar, drumset or mic and learn to play music. The Beatles, four lads from Liverpool who finally have their very own videogame. But will it live up to the huge expectations of their many millions of fans?     
 
Well that's a question that will hopefully be answered in a few more days, but I have a funny feeling it'll do just fine. But what exactly is The Beatles: Rock Band? As the name suggest it's a Beatles inspired version of the ever popular music rhythm game Rock Band developed by Cambridge based Harmonix Music Systems. Now while your average gamer will know the Rock Band franchise almost as well as your parents or grandparents will know the details of every Beatles album, the two joining together to make a videogame is a rather interesting experiment.  Many will say it's a guaranteed seller, but is it also the possible beginnings of something oh so beautiful. 
  
Harmonix have always been about communicating music through their games and it something they do quite well, I have personally found myself respecting music a whole lot more since first being introduced to the Guitar Hero franchise. So what about reintroducing The Beatles music to a whole new generation of kids, could it be something quite revolutionary? Now it should be noted that there are many a young folk who listen and love the music of The Beatles even years after their split, like all the truly legendary bands that have risen to fame, The Beatles music is as ageless and as personal to the listener as it was upon it's released all those years ago. That is without a doubt one of the most exciting aspects within this new relationship, the fact that a whole new generation will be introduced to The Beatles is a concept that as both me and other Beatles fans rather excited.
 
As a game it seems rather simple, staying true to the popular (if somewhat now rusty) Rock Band and Guitar Hero formula. Tasking the player with hitting coloured blocks that travel down a track, matching the music perfectly. While there are those who feel the formula is done and dusted, it still brings in the crowds and is as popular now as it was when we first laid eyes upon the original Guitar Hero game in 2005. But it shan't be just your average gamer playing The Beatles: Rock Band, oh no! For Harmonix clearly hope the game will introduce an whole new older generation of potential rockers to their franchise. It's odd in that sense, for while the music within the game will be new to your common gamer, the actual game will be new to those who know The Beatles music well.  
 
It's an interesting thought, but going back to the actual game again. The Beatles: Rock Band will feature fourty five tracks from all of the groups key stages of history, from the beginnings at the Cavern Club to the eventual final performance on the roof of the Apple HQ rooftop. While the actual career/story mode will be rather basic for those who have played past Rock Band games, it's the actual experience that will be vastly different from what we've ever seen before. The Beatles will start by playing many of their classic early tracks such as 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 'You Can't Buy Me Love' in iconic on stage performances and eventually start playing many of their more uniquely original tracks at Abbey Road studios, with dreamscapes and all. 
 
Players will be able to play each and everyone song in the usual Rock Band way, with one on guitar, one on bass, one on the drums and of course the singer. But with every new music rhythm game must come inovation and The Beatles: Rock Band isn't any different. Harmonix introduces the three-way harmony, which will allow two other singers to sing the backing vocals for many of The Beatles tracks. These two new additions will now provide a six player experience, which can only be a great thing for Beatles inspired parties around the world. Though in one sense it'll be in the minor details and additions that will make the game potentially reach the high levels of fan expectations, Harmonix have thrown in all sorts of rather exciting extras including exclusive pictures, songs and never before heard chatter between the four members which will be heard between songs.  It could all come together to make one beautiful experience that will be loved by anyone with passion for the groups music. 
 
What would a Rock Band game be without downloadable content, some album DLC as already been confirmed with both Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Rubber Soul eventually making their way onto the game. The dream scenario would be seeing all of The Beatles catalogue making it's way and for all to play and appreciate, sadly we are still unsure if this will happen but we can only hope right now. But the DLC will also allow lesser known (but as much loved) Beatles songs to make an appearance, and that is almost as exciting as the actual games current fourty five song setlist. There are clearly some key songs missing from the announced tracks, and one can only hope that they eventually all make an appearance as downloadable content.  
 
There will of course be no booing if your not playing a song well enough, though that was to be expected and something I wouldn't exactly want to be hearing as I play my favourite Beatles tracks and thankfully you'll be able to play all the songs of the setlist online with friends or fellow Beatles fans. There is no importing The Beatles: Rock Band setlist into the current Rock Band 2 game, but again that was kind of to be expected considering the issues with licensing. But this is not a game where the amount of modes exactly makes an impact. It's about the experience of playing and enjoying some of the greatest music ever created, and the dreamscapes Harmonix have carefully worked upon for each of the Abbey Road based tracks seem like a fitting tribute to the original vision first thought up all those years ago. Overall The Beatles: Rock Band could be one of the most thrilling games this year and I simply can't wait.
 
The Beatles: Rock Band is released this Wednesday Worldwide. For Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii.
  
Thanks for Reading! 
Follow me on Twitter if your the slightly bit bored (JosephBayliss).