Metareview: Rock Band (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
by Dan Dormer 
{ Nov 19th 2007 at 5:00PM }
There's been plenty hullabaloo surrounding the launch of Harmonix's Rock Band, and be certain to check back tonight (11/19/2007) for our liveblogging of the launch. But what about the actual game? Is it the death nail in Guitar Hero's coffin, or does the overly ambitious Rock Band need to take some things to heart for their inevitable sophomore effort? The Metareview, as always, contains the answers you seek, dudes and dudettes.
- OXM (95/100): "Rock Band is the ultimate role-playing game - the only way to win is to completely commit as a guitarist, bassist, drummer, or singer and do your part for the fellowship of meta-musicians sharing the virtual stage. And if you can lower your shield of shyness to let the game in, you're richly rewarded as the collective joy of making music pours back out. Unlike other games, the Rock Band payoff isn't visceral or technical; it's emotional."
- IGN (94/100): "Metallica, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones -- these are some of the legendary bands in rock. And now, thanks to Harmonix's Rock Band, you and your friends can join the legendary pantheon of rock gods. The latest game from Harmonix ups the ante on other music titles by combining guitars, drums, and singing into one awesome package. You and your friends will rock out with some of the greatest bands in history. And Fall Out Boy. While Rock Band doesn't offer the insanely intense (and perhaps impossible) challenge of Guitar Hero III, it's a game that everyone will have fun playing. This may just be among the best party games ever released."
- 1UP (90/100): "Its critical appraisal isn't easy; music is culturally ingrained in us, and as a tool, a relatively inexpensive gateway for people to come together and experience it together, Rock Band easily delivers on what it promises. Actually feeling like a rock star -- for most people under 40, the next best thing to a superhero or a T-Rex -- is transcendently entertaining. Guitar Hero is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means, Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
coolforever4537 @ Nov 19th 2007 5:03PM
Game looks good, but I'll have to wait before digging into my pockets since black friday is almost here.
ALH @ Nov 19th 2007 5:03PM
damn you metareview for rubbing it in to people who dont have anyone to play rock band with ;_;
perrinbar @ Nov 19th 2007 5:07PM
Those of us stuck in our boxers are saddened by this day. I do wish I had people to play with and if I did, I'd buy it. As it stands. I hope I have a friend who does.
FidliousWong @ Nov 19th 2007 5:06PM
I cannot wait. I get it during lunch hour tomorrow, Wednesday is off work... WooT!
ApolloIV @ Nov 19th 2007 5:09PM
I no have no friends who are competent at drums, we all spent to much time on Guitar Hero.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 19th 2007 5:13PM
Drums are alot harder than you'd think. Timing has to be very precise or it scores a miss.
AirIntake @ Nov 19th 2007 5:08PM
I'm saddened, because I live in Canada. Thanks Harmonix. This day was supposed to be awesome...
arrrgh @ Nov 19th 2007 5:22PM
+1
fuck you harmonix. fuck you right through your pants
AirIntake @ Nov 19th 2007 5:40PM
With a spoon. It always hurts more with a spoon.
Nudgenudge @ Nov 19th 2007 6:24PM
Hey, at least you will have it for Christmas.
Here in the EU, it's February/March. Damn, this sucks.
dsub @ Nov 20th 2007 1:09AM
You guys can always eBay it. It's already pulling $300.
jake11 @ Nov 19th 2007 5:08PM
i need money to get this game. please donate to the jake11 foundation
BigDaddyBooth @ Nov 19th 2007 5:13PM
This game looks great and all, but I don't have $180 to blow on it...And, I never will.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 19th 2007 5:17PM
If out of work drug junkies can find the money to get drugs, you should be able to find a way to get RB.
Silent Xenocide @ Nov 19th 2007 5:11PM
Fallout Boy? For serious?
GRANTED @ Nov 19th 2007 5:13PM
i am hoping they added "and Fallout Boy" as a contrast to the previous phrase, not as proof.
arrrgh @ Nov 19th 2007 5:24PM
it wouldnt make sense if they meant it as proof.
"all these great bands"...."and falloutboy is there too" kinda thing
Mystic @ Nov 19th 2007 5:30PM
People obviously don't realize that you CAN play in a band on Xbox LIVE.
jesus_bon_jovi @ Nov 19th 2007 5:32PM
I just read and watched the IGN review i am glad someone finally mentioned how crappy the Rock Band guitar is... its been bugging me...
Norm @ Nov 19th 2007 5:55PM
yeah, its a good thing the Guitar Hero models work too. Although it shouldn't have to be that way.
Synner @ Nov 19th 2007 6:59PM
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I hate the GH guitar, I like the RB one.
jynxycat @ Nov 19th 2007 7:34PM
From playing it at Penny Arcade, it felt 100 times better than any GH model.
Unless they changed something since then, I don't see what people don't like about it, actually, I never see any reasons why -_- The IGN review just says its horrible, and goes on to emphasize the point, but never gives any reasons.
It's more hefty and more built to scale like a real guitar, the strum bar doesn't click every time you hit it (GH guitars go nuts when you alt-strum), and the solo buttons are just too much fun to mess around with. They didn't have any of the effects enabled during the demo I played, so I didn't see them in action, but I can't imagine they do anything but up the entertainment factor.
Honestly, I'd love to use it for both games, but GH3 only supports official guitars, so oh well.
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Nov 19th 2007 7:45PM
Well, the demo guitar felt VERY cheap, like a kids toy. Maybe they changed it on the retail?? I doubt it...
jesus_bon_jovi @ Nov 19th 2007 10:32PM
Well how many people strum up and down? i know the majority seem to strum only down. I strum up and down and it bugs me. Also, though, it seems Rock Band wont have very tough solos i really dont know how they are gonna pull it off. i really hope they dont skip notes even on expert.
mindg4m3 @ Nov 19th 2007 5:34PM
If you planed to go to walmart tonight, you might want to call. The one near my house told me they are under strict instructions not to sell it until Friday morning.
umm....hello??? @ Nov 19th 2007 5:48PM
getting mine tonight at BestBuy's midnight release party...otherwise I'm afraid it might pull a Wii and be hard to get after it's initial release. The fliers in the ads said minimum 16 copies per store (for BB and CC)...
Synner @ Nov 19th 2007 7:00PM
My BB is saying they have the game only, not the special edition... Anyone have any word on this? I thouhg the unbundled games wasn't going to be out until Jan.
zlionsfan @ Nov 19th 2007 7:39PM
I think it's just the unbundled instruments that won't be available until next year. The game-only package should be available now.
Jack @ Nov 19th 2007 6:21PM
LOL @ Fall Out Boy
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Nov 19th 2007 6:50PM
Has anyone confirmed that the Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul works 100% with Rock Band? I want to get just the Rock Band game by itself.
Quastor @ Nov 19th 2007 6:54PM
Only on the 360. Les Paul on the PS3 is not.
Bluebreaker @ Nov 19th 2007 6:54PM
What I expected: not good for loners (like me), pretty sweet for a group of friends. Now, I really envy those swarms. I wonder how many will all pitch in for the entire package with the agreement that they keep the instrument they play on?
weppsh @ Nov 19th 2007 6:56PM
This game is getting some great reviews. Can't wait to get a group of people together.
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 7:24PM
meh. i'll wait for a drum-only kit next year, and by then there'll be some good dlc and perhaps by then they'll patch in online career play
jynxycat @ Nov 19th 2007 7:36PM
Why not wait for it to come with free cupcakes, a coupon for Harmonix to do your laundry, and a back massage while you're at it.
:P
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 7:47PM
what? fuck you, $170 is a lot for a videogame, so i'm waiting for it to appeal more to me
xGeneral DEATHx @ Nov 20th 2007 10:05AM
LOL, I could sure use a back massage. Any idea of the time table for when those coupons will be released?
Sadly, my friends won't all be in one place at one time to play this very often, so I doubt I'll be getting it anytime soon. $170 does seem a bit steep, especially if you're going to be playing solo (the irony) most of the time.
Until that golden day when no one has to work anymore, it'll be GH for me.
bounchfx @ Nov 19th 2007 7:35PM
actually leaving to wait in line now WOOT
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 7:39PM
condolences
ColossalHat @ Nov 19th 2007 7:35PM
What?! A game with no 100/100 review scores this month!? Inconceivable!
ShortFuse @ Nov 19th 2007 7:38PM
Phew! I just got back from pre-ordering it for tomorrow. The one GameStop i went to was sold out and i drove to another one and reserved it there. 360 version is going to be scarce. I was thinking of trying my luck on friday but w/e, pre-orders means I go after work and get it. It works with Guitar Hero II controllers so bass guitar is set.
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 7:41PM
i hope you can get it, but i doubt it. getting a preorder the day before is pretty iffy for something like this
ShortFuse @ Nov 19th 2007 9:05PM
I did get it. I said so in the comment. I told myself, I'd rather at least try and go to another GameStop to see if they have it than line up on black friday.
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 9:13PM
well they don't always honor preorders, from my experiences. that's why i said good luck
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Nov 19th 2007 7:43PM
Anyone confirm if you can use a plan ol USB microphone with this game, or do you need the "special" one that comes bundled?
Billiam247 @ Nov 19th 2007 9:31PM
Supposedly you can use the 360 headset for vocals if you want to.
bluesky_v2.01 @ Nov 19th 2007 8:24PM
There is no way I'm getting this game, but man, I wanna play it.
Hoffy @ Nov 19th 2007 9:13PM
Is it just me or does this seem like an awful lot of work to play a game? I mean, w/ Guitar Hero it's just the guitar... hey cool. But w/ Rock Band you actually have to get a bunch of people together and clear out a ton of space for drums etc...
I mean, I can actually play all the *real* instruments and was in bad way back when. It was always a hassle to set up practices... how is this any different?
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Nov 19th 2007 9:44PM
Yea, I was thinking the same thing. I think this is going to be popular at first, but I dont see groups of people getting together on a daily basis to play this game, unless they are hardcore. Like you said, you have to get everyone together to play (locally). I am thinking about buying the game, but Im waiting to hear if I can use a standard USB mic and how well the onine band CoOp is. If I can use a standard USB mic, I could use my GH III guitar.
ThornedVenom @ Nov 19th 2007 11:12PM
This is the perfect family game, if your parents also play videogames or if you have siblings. All in one package, rocking all the way together.