Rock Band

"It doesn't live up to the hype"

Music games have always been fun to play. DDR, Beatmania, ITG, etc... and when Guitar Hero came out, I fell in love. Now, I've been a big fan of the guitar hero games and figured that MTV's shot at the music games might actually be worth my time. But just like anything else that MTV puts out (anyone ever play the britney spears game?), this game is medicore. Now I know I probably have people writing me hate mail as they read this, but I do have my reasons for not liking this game as much as I thought I would.

*Gameplay* (8/10)
This is the section that gets the most points in my opinion. If you're a big fan of guitar hero, bass and guitar on this will feel like home. The only problem with the guitar parts I truly found was that, no matter what songs you played on expert mode, it felt like medium/hard on guitar hero. There was no real challenge in them. The solo buttons down at the bottom of the fret board are a nice touch tho. Being able to do the solos as without strumming are essential to guitar playing and MTV pulled it off correctly. The drums are a nice feature. People not used to playing drums at all get the most challenge out of the bass petal. Surprisingly, it gets more people to screw up that you would think. Fills work out perfectly and nothing beats hitting a pad at full force to rock out. Just don't play too loud or you may anger your neighbors. Finally there's the mic. This wasn't the most innovative at of the instruments you could use, especially after the karaoke revolution games. But that's to be expected, its a mic and you have someone sing. The only true problem with the mic is that the sensor seems to be off at times. You'd sing in the mic and sometmies it wouldn't pick up your voice. It appears MTV wants you to sing at the top of your lungs to pick up your voice.

*Visual* (6/10)
This game looks like it was meant to be on the PS2 when it first came out. Though most people won't be looking at their characters while they're playing, they look choppy and stiff. Movement doesn't come naturally to rock stars apparently. Each player moves in a too premade motion. Their movements just don't feel right or in sync with the game and songs. The notes one the boards are a different story. Its easy to tell which note is which and the separation is good for the most part, minus the drums. The premade fills on songs seem to connected where you can't tell the timing on when to hit which pad. My main problem with the visuals though deals with the guitars. Guitar Hero made the hammer ons/pull offs alot more noticeable than Rock Band does. For the longest time, I couldn't even tell if there were any. This seriously hinders the gameplay on the guitars and puts a bit more strain on your eyes.

*Music* (5/10)
This is the biggest problem with the game. MTV did pick a few good songs (Welcome Home, Enter Sandman, Tom Sawyer...) but overall, the songs on this game are not worth your time. Most of the songs choices here are not songs I'd want to play over and over with a bunch of buddies. Sure, most of these songs aren't the popular ones/singles, but the songs that were popular were popular for a reason: they were fun. Songs like Gimme Shelter, Main Offender, and Celebrity Skin, there are better songs out there from these bands than that. MTV stands for MUSIC television. Apparently they lost their music along the way. Long story short, Rock Band's music selection: sub-par

*Playablility/Replay* (solo: 5/10 multi: 8/10)
This game isn't too fun on your own, unless you stick to the guitar. MTV pretty much knew when they made this, that it will be a party game. So unless you're throwing a party or have a bunch of friends over, this game doesn't offer that much at all. Of course, when with friends, you can't always have fun either. You have to make everyone happy by choosing a song everyone wants to play. And at the same time, deal with everyone pushing buttons when you're trying to choose something to play. Arguements a plenty will happen

*Overall* (6/10)
This game has its moments, but those moments will happen in the first week or two of playing. It gets stale quickly and has too many problems and a not-so-great song selection to deal with during gameplay. I recommend have you and a few buddies put money together to buy this. Or have a rich friend to buy it and play it at his/her house. Other than that, stick to Guitar Hero. It works and plays alot better

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 12/07/07

Game Release: Rock Band (US, 11/20/07)