2009 seems like it'll be another big year for video games. Highly anticipated sequels and new franchises are about to make their way onto store shelves everywhere. Every gamer on this planet will be rummaging through their wallets, trying to find some money to pay for all of these goodies.
There are a couple of games I am looking forward to in 2009. I can't possibly overlook Modern Warfare 2, Assassin's Creed 2, Shadow Complex, DJ Hero and NHL 10. However, my most anticipated game of the year has to be, undoubtedly, The Beatles: Rock Band. While some of you out there might find this choice dubious, let me assure you that none of the other titles announced this year, not even NHL 10, have me more excited than the Fab Four's foray into music game territory. So much so that I've already pre-ordered my copy on Amazon, along with the Fender Strattocaster wireless guitar.
Now, while I cannot say that I'm a die-hard Beatlemaniac, I do love The Beatles' music. Even though the band had broken up a year before I was born (in 1970), I still grew up listening to their music. In fact, the very first cassette I ever got was The Beatles: 1962-1966 (the Red Album). I was crushed when the tape got stuck in the tape deck and broke. Thankfully, my parents got me another copy right away, along with The Beatles: 1967-1970 (the Blue Album). Although I stopped listening to those tapes, I still enjoyed hearing their music on the radio once in a while. Recently, after the announcement of the game, I started downloading and listening to them once again and am enjoying it even more now. It is just remarkable to see how they evolve from album to album, from a pop-oriented boy band on Please Please Me, to rock and roll icons on Rubber Soul right on up to psychedelic masterminds on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Although their sound is very distinctive, the evolution the band went through during their very short 8-year career is staggering. On a personal note, Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper are my favorites amongst their albums.
After seeing the set list for the game, I got really excited. It seems Harmonix, along with the help of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Dhani Harrison, made terrific selections for the initial 40-song game. I say "initial" here because, not long after the game ships, Abbey Road will be made available for download through Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network, and will be followed by my two favorite albums, Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper. Aside from the phenomenal set list, the game looks absolutely gorgeous, as you can see for yourself from these videos on the game's official webpage.
Frankly, September 9, 2009 can't come soon enough. Here's a video from my favorite Beatles song, Helter Skelter , which will be in the game.
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