System: PS3, X360
Dev: Harmonix
Pub: MTV Games, EA
Release: Nov. 20, 2007
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: Teen
Preview by Matthew Walker

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Rock out with your drum sticks out by Matthew Walker

August 2, 2007 - As many fans know, this holiday season will bring us a couple of high profile opportunities to be guitar legends in our own minds, but there will only be one that will allow you to be a part of the band. Harmonix, the originators of the Guitar Hero franchise, is the developing team behind the new competition in rock music. Some are speculating the price of the entire set needed to fully appreciate the game will be so astronomical that some fans may pass up the opportunity.

How will they ensure us that it will be worth it no matter the pricing? Song choices, of course. That is exactly what it appears that Harmonix and MTV games are doing for the game. Instead of using a lot of cover bands the way Guitar Hero did, Rock Band will have songs from the actual artists. Bands like The Who have announced that not only will the game come with a few of their songs, but they also revealed that we would be able to download an album from them as well. The album in question will be "The Who." Additionally, Nirvana's album "Nevermind" will also be available. This feature could be the stand apart addition from Guitar Hero. When you have fans of a certain band salivating at the chance to play an entire album as opposed to one or two of the more known songs, it certainly seems more appealing. Queens of the Stoneage are also keeping things interesting by allowing one their songs from their forthcoming album, "Era Vulgaris," to make its debut on Rock Band. Some other noteworthy songs confirmed for the game are "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" from Blue Oyster Cult, "Learn to Fly" from the Foo Fighters, "Vasoline" from the Stone Temple Pilots, "Wanted Dead or Alive" from Jon Bon Jovi, "Enter Sandman" from Metallica, and several others. With the confirmation that five record labels will be cooperating with Rock Band to bring some of the more memorable songs to the game, it is no wonder that interest in this game is starting to surpass that of Guitar Hero.

Some other information released about the game is how the equipment will work in the game. The microphone will work the same way as they have for other popular games like Singstar and the Karaoke Revolution games. However, we will also be able to use the microphone as a tambourine or cow bell when there are no lyrics. This will be interesting to see and should keep the lead singer busy while they wait for their next opportunity to wail out some lyrics. For the drums, players who have played the DrumMania arcade game will find this very similar. Four foam pads will act as your snare drum, tom-tom, hi-hat, and crash/ride cymbals. We will also have a foot pedal to represent the bass drum. Harmonix is also packing an authentic pair of drumsticks in with the drum set. They have even stated that if you can play the drums in Rock Band on hard, then you can probably play the drums. An interesting aspect to the game will be a variation on the "Star Power" we have been using in Guitar Hero. If a player fails at any part during a song and the "Star Power" is activated, then that player will be able to reclaim their honor. If the entire band is still around at the end of the song, then they will be treated to a special "Jam Session." Another aspect is that if you want to make your band avatar representation look a different way, you can. We will be able to adjust everything from hair, clothes, stage movements, body type, and even the band's logo.

The pricing of Rock Band may not be official yet, but even if it is around 200 bucks, the information that continuously pours out about the game can be justified with a high price tag. The only problem I see is if you have a band and members bail out on you constantly, then you may have a hard time finishing the game. Hopefully, with the mention of possible online gameplay for the game, it will become easier to have the band of your dreams, even if it is only in the digital form. Rock Band may not be entirely new in concept, but no one can deny that they are at least attempting to broaden the appeal of the game by including all forms of what makes a good band great.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Project Coordinator

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