More than a feelin'...
Rock Band is a game that will be remembered. More accurately, Rock Band doesn't appear as if it's going away anytime soon. Developer Harmonix huge rock n' roll simulation has finally come out, and what a game it truly is. Anyone familiar with the Guitar Hero will know what to expect from this game, as they are undeniably alike in design (Harmonix is the former co-developer of the Guitar Hero series) but the game's hefty $170 plus price tag and rather unimpressive number of songs in comparison to that of Guitar Hero 3 may put people off, and that is certainly a shame.
This is because Rock Band's value can't be explained with just the features included in the box or the game. Indeed, there is already a lot included. Rock Band gives you the opportunity to play guitar or bass, sing, and play drums and includes a special peripheral to perform each task. Despite some concerns about the guitar, the hardware is well designed and responds well (a warranty is included in the box if any troubles are encountered). In the game, you have the opportunity to play songs from a myriad of genres and decades, from alternative to southern, from the 60s to the 00s. You can play these songs solo on any of the four instruments or get together with up to three other friends and play as a band. This is where the game truly shines, as the multiplayer "Band World Tour" is the most enjoyable aspect of the game, chronicling you and your band's rise and fall to stardom. It is truly a lengthy and deep mode in which you'll be setting up set lists, travelling the world, and upgrading your rockers with swag and equipment to look the part. Online is also available for band quickplay and competitive play
But the true experience of Rock Band comes with what happens when one is in a room with others playing the game. The way the band rises and falls with the performance of everyone. You feed off one another, sing along with the lead singer, even perform stage moves just in an effort to get more and more into the antics being displayed and get the band rallied into a kick ass performance. None of these words can do the feeling justice, and overall the game just needs to be played to be appreciated.
Rounding out the game would have to be visuals and sound. Sound... is self explanatory. It's the music! It's the roar of the crowd and the bangin' of drums! The songs are all awesomely reproduced by either the master tracks of their respective artists, or well-rendered by cover artists (granted, there are a few sour notes among the cover bands). As for visuals, the game takes on a very stylized art style that looks very very clean, and the stages and arenas all brim with nice atmosphere. The motion capture and on-stage antics all look wonderful, but tend to repeat themselves, or not flow together well. But overall, the visuals are just really fun to watch.
Rock Band is successful not only as a great game, but an experience that goes beyond gaming. Truly, just pure fun to play.
