By Fred Topel | Image property of respective holders
Rock Band
I asked for a review set of Rock Band thinking that I would just review the new download content, since the game was already established. However, I quickly discovered it warranted its own review, being such a different animal to Guitar Hero.
Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero
The drums are the game. They are the unique experience and the most solid game play. I will spend lots of time learning to coordinate my beats with the foot pedal. It adds a totally new aspect of rhythm gaming to play along with all your favorite songs.
Singing is fun. That's just like karaoke although I'm having trouble with some songs on expert mode. It keeps saying I'm off pitch. Doesn't Rock Band know that I'm awesome? But I realized I can just play easy because it doesn't make the game any different, like the instruments adds notes.
Where I really felt compelled to write about Rock Band was in realizing that the guitar game is very different. First of all, it's so slow and simple that I can play expert mode easily. That's even a tad easier than Hard on <B>GH</B>.
Of course, I'm so addicted I just needed new guitar tracks to play. Rock Band has an amazing set list with even more available to download, so it's a fix. However, it always feels like playing the knockoff of Guitar Hero.
The sensitivity on the strum bar was tricky. I would fail songs that I knew I was playing right. The buttons feel different. It's an adjustment, but I ultimately learned to press harder and finger smoothly. The whammy bar is so long I just can't even go there.
So I'm happy to keep Rock Band for a drum and singing game. My friends can play along with the guitar. They don't seem to care. I guess Guitar Hero just got their hooks into me first, but they really do the guitar part right. If only they had as much music as Rock Band it would be a real competition.
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