Harmonix's new project: Rock Band for 360 & PS3
11-16-07 | 04:40 PM
#651
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
One thing I have found is that Guitar Hero for a real guitar player is fun and challenging on the hard and expert. After playing "rock band" drums again today, I was able to play all the drum parts on expert all the way through (I have played real drums before, but not in about 8 years). The expert drum parts were actually pretty boring for me, but I am nowhere near completing any song on GH2 in expert (except "Surrender").
Other people who were playing the RB demo drums were having fun, so for non-drummers, I am sure they will have a blast.
Other people who were playing the RB demo drums were having fun, so for non-drummers, I am sure they will have a blast.
11-16-07 | 06:36 PM
#655
DVD Talk Legend
Now they're playing some online multiplayer.
Some of these songs on expert seem totally insane to me. I don't think the difficulty is going to be a problem for people, since some seem incredibly hard.
Some of these songs on expert seem totally insane to me. I don't think the difficulty is going to be a problem for people, since some seem incredibly hard.
11-16-07 | 08:43 PM
#656
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by gimmepilotwings
My pinky is very weak, in comparison to all of the other fingers. So hard is pretty darn hard for me. Although I have only played it 4 times.
On hard I am constantly doing this.
Doug
11-16-07 | 09:03 PM
#657
DVD Talk Legend
IGN Review:
Closing Comments
Rock Band is a great game. The presentation elements are top-notch and take music games to a new level; consider the bar raised. Though there are three separate solo careers, Rock Band is best experienced with a group of friends. The only major concerns are with the hardware. The guitar is inferior to other versions on the market and it seems likely that before Rock Band II arrives, many will have broken their drum kits (how long can you beat that thing before it dies?). Still, this is an excellent game overall. Anyone who invests the extra money to purchase some of the stellar downloadable content is certain to be playing Rock Band well into next year. Heck, you can tell by the mammoth size of this review just how much there is to say about Rock Band. Without question, Rock Band is one of the must-have games of the year.
Rock Band is a great game. The presentation elements are top-notch and take music games to a new level; consider the bar raised. Though there are three separate solo careers, Rock Band is best experienced with a group of friends. The only major concerns are with the hardware. The guitar is inferior to other versions on the market and it seems likely that before Rock Band II arrives, many will have broken their drum kits (how long can you beat that thing before it dies?). Still, this is an excellent game overall. Anyone who invests the extra money to purchase some of the stellar downloadable content is certain to be playing Rock Band well into next year. Heck, you can tell by the mammoth size of this review just how much there is to say about Rock Band. Without question, Rock Band is one of the must-have games of the year.
The overall
10 Presentation
Simply amazing. The Band World Tour offers a fantastic new take on a career mode for a music game. The on-stage antics are above and beyond anything from Guitar Hero.
8.0 Graphics
The character models are nice and the 40+ venues have excellent detail.
9.0 Sound
Some of the 45 tracks offered are really not that great. But everything sounds good and having the crowd signing songs with you is an awesome experience.
9.0 Gameplay
There's no doubt that many of the guitar sections are meant for a more casual audience. The drums and vocals make up for this though. Band World Tour is solid.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
There are only 45 licensed tracks, and not all of them are great songs. But the BWT has legs and the upcoming downloadable content should extend the lifespan considerably.
9.4
Outstanding OVERALL
10 Presentation
Simply amazing. The Band World Tour offers a fantastic new take on a career mode for a music game. The on-stage antics are above and beyond anything from Guitar Hero.
8.0 Graphics
The character models are nice and the 40+ venues have excellent detail.
9.0 Sound
Some of the 45 tracks offered are really not that great. But everything sounds good and having the crowd signing songs with you is an awesome experience.
9.0 Gameplay
There's no doubt that many of the guitar sections are meant for a more casual audience. The drums and vocals make up for this though. Band World Tour is solid.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
There are only 45 licensed tracks, and not all of them are great songs. But the BWT has legs and the upcoming downloadable content should extend the lifespan considerably.
9.4
Outstanding OVERALL
Last edited by Brent L; 11-16-07 at 09:06 PM.
11-16-07 | 09:05 PM
#658
From the IGN review:
Is there any sort of warranty on the instruments? Sounds like the kick pedal could be quite fragile.
Though currently only available locally, BWT will get a patch to allow for an online career mode at some point in the near future.
Is there any sort of warranty on the instruments? Sounds like the kick pedal could be quite fragile.
Last edited by aktick; 11-16-07 at 09:09 PM.
11-16-07 | 09:18 PM
#659
DVD Talk Legend
From the IGN review:
This just sounds so awesome indeed.
...the World Tour mode becomes a good learning tool for aspiring drummers. I can get through the entire Guitar Hero series on expert, but I had a hard time just keeping up with medium on drums on a few songs the first time I played. However, the experience itself was great fun, and pushed me to work even harder. I eventually got through all the songs on hard, and can get through many on expert now. I will say that the transition from medium to hard seems like a big leap. Not only do you add the dreaded kick pedal (getting my foot and hands to do something completely different from one another proved to be a Zen experience where I had to turn off my brain and become one with the drum set), but you'll also be hitting two pads at once on several occasions, sometimes in conjunction with the kick pedal. On expert you're basically playing the real drum parts, so if you can do that, start a real band. You can also use Rock Band as a workout regimen, as you'll work up quite a sweat playing on hard or expert.
11-16-07 | 09:53 PM
#660
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
"On expert you're basically playing the real drum parts, so if you can do that, start a real band. You can also use Rock Band as a workout regimen, as you'll work up quite a sweat playing on hard or expert. "
Now, granted the demo version in Best buy doesn't have the pedal - but from what I saw, the expert mode is far from the actual drum parts of the songs I played - only time will tell - I hope it is the actual drum part as the reviewer said - but since he admittedly is not a drummer.....
Now, granted the demo version in Best buy doesn't have the pedal - but from what I saw, the expert mode is far from the actual drum parts of the songs I played - only time will tell - I hope it is the actual drum part as the reviewer said - but since he admittedly is not a drummer.....
11-17-07 | 05:36 AM
#662
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
From: Formerly known as "darthlurker"
So my question is...how does the singing "sound?" As in, when you sing, is it your voice coming through the game? Or is it, say, Jon Bon Jovi's voice, and you're just trying to match the lyrics (like singing along in the car)?
11-17-07 | 07:26 AM
#664
DVD Talk Legend
I'm almost sure that there is a volume bar, and you can turn your voice up or down and you can turn the original vocalist voice up or down, either way you like, and your voice does indeed come through your TV speakers.
11-17-07 | 10:39 AM
#666
Originally Posted by Brent L
I'm almost sure that there is a volume bar, and you can turn your voice up or down and you can turn the original vocalist voice up or down, either way you like, and your voice does indeed come through your TV speakers.
11-17-07 | 10:49 AM
#667
DVD Talk Legend
I know we have a number of posters in my area (Greenville, Anderson, Clemson SC), so if any of you care, the GameStop in Anderson next to the Sam's Club and WalMart have one pre-order left, since someone canceled the other day. They already have the games in the store, and they'll sell them first thing Tuesday morning.
So any locals, there's you're shot if interested.
So any locals, there's you're shot if interested.
11-17-07 | 08:45 PM
#672
DVD Talk Godfather
Tried out the demo tonight at BB and wow. That's not a holy shit "wow" either. That's a stupified "wow, what's the fuss all about," wow.
It looks to me like you are paying $160 for Drum Hero. I can see the attraction to drums. I didn't try them, but watched someone. It seems a bit pricey just for "Drum Hero" though. I did however try the guitar. The good: it looks way cooler than the GHIII guitar, and the strum bar feels a whole lot more responsive than the "clicky" Les Paul. The whammy bar felt tighter and more substantial as well.
The bad: that's about where the superiority ends. First it was super light, paper thin and the fret buttons didn't seem all that tight/responsive. The back/select button is an awkward place for someone who uses that over the guitar flip for star power. Lastly, it just feels cheap. Looks like a cheap knock off you'd find at Radio Shack, not the real deal in a $160 package. Felt like it would break fairly easily. Overall, I couldn't see why anyone would choose this guitar over the LP if they have one sitting at home.
Finally the songs. I tried three, Epic, Tom Sawyer, and Wanted, Dead or Alive. Tried the first two on Medium and it was easier than GHIII's easy mode, in other words, a joke. Flipped it to Hard and it seems like a good middle ground between GHIII's Medium and Hard. It's nice you can select to play bass if you want instead of requiring a second player.
The game only is still on my want list just to have some more songs to play with the Les Paul, but other than the drums I'm not seeing/buying the hype. Of course this is only based on three songs, but, there you go.
It looks to me like you are paying $160 for Drum Hero. I can see the attraction to drums. I didn't try them, but watched someone. It seems a bit pricey just for "Drum Hero" though. I did however try the guitar. The good: it looks way cooler than the GHIII guitar, and the strum bar feels a whole lot more responsive than the "clicky" Les Paul. The whammy bar felt tighter and more substantial as well.
The bad: that's about where the superiority ends. First it was super light, paper thin and the fret buttons didn't seem all that tight/responsive. The back/select button is an awkward place for someone who uses that over the guitar flip for star power. Lastly, it just feels cheap. Looks like a cheap knock off you'd find at Radio Shack, not the real deal in a $160 package. Felt like it would break fairly easily. Overall, I couldn't see why anyone would choose this guitar over the LP if they have one sitting at home.
Finally the songs. I tried three, Epic, Tom Sawyer, and Wanted, Dead or Alive. Tried the first two on Medium and it was easier than GHIII's easy mode, in other words, a joke. Flipped it to Hard and it seems like a good middle ground between GHIII's Medium and Hard. It's nice you can select to play bass if you want instead of requiring a second player.
The game only is still on my want list just to have some more songs to play with the Les Paul, but other than the drums I'm not seeing/buying the hype. Of course this is only based on three songs, but, there you go.
