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Rock Band 2 – Xbox 360 Review

October 24th, 2008 Rich Reed Leave a comment Go to comments

Last year I said that Rock Band was the best party game of 2007. I stand by that. If it had one flaw, it had to be the missing online full mode but still a blast to play. When Rock Band 2 was announced, I already knew I would enjoy it and with a full online mode and new instruments the game sounded better than the first. Let me say that Rock Band 2 found a way to improve what was already a fantastic party game. Read the full Rock Band 2 review and see why Harmonix has another hit on their hands.

Gameplay

First off Harmonix offered 80+ new songs and a way to transfer the songs from Rock Band 1 for a great offering of songs. Yes, it is true that you had to pay a one-time fee to transfer the tracks from Rock Band 1 to your hard drive but I thought it was fair. So with a massive collection of songs I was ready to rock out once again. At first glance the game has not changed much until you go into the training modes. Here is where I always saw a chance for the series to do more than entertain but teach the basics. The most detailed training mode has to be for drummers but still nice to see. You can still play the game alone or with friends without ever going on XBL. It seems a little smoother this time to get everyone going locally. The new tour is huge and then there is the 82 song set to try and beat without breaks or saves. I have not tried it yet but plan on it and hope to get others to join in.

The game takes a bit more of the real music scene to heart this time as you need to gain fans and rep in order to hire better mangers, roadies and PR people. This helps set the mood but the music makes the game. Harmonix went with more Indie bands this time and some are great while others shouldn’t quit their day jobs. Overall the song collection is great. Throw in all the DLC content and the 20 free songs coming out and the game has a massive song list that helps make the game stay fresh. You also have the option of buying new instruments that are wireless and have features like self calibration for lag which helps those missed notes. Of course the new instruments are better but they are not cheap. Harmonix was smart making the game compatible with RB1 instruments and allowing those who wanted to buy the new ones have the freedom of wireless control. Over the next few days I’ll be reviewing each of the new instruments and the cymbals but overall the game works fine with either bundle of instruments.

Control

The controls are pretty much the same if you are using the Rock Band 1 instruments. Regarding the new instruments, the drums and guitar seem better made and have some new features. I think the biggest thing is they are made better and seem to be a bit more rugged. Again this is something I will cover in the reviews for the bundle and other instruments. Overall the controls are easy to learn, hard to master and the drums are still the hardest to master on expert.

Xbox Live

Let’s face it we all wanted the chance to play online with friends and create a band and play. Connecting is pretty easy and you’re not limited to a few songs or sets. They also threw in the tug of war and score battle as well as trying to beat other bands by their total score or streak. I would have loved to seen a battle of the bands that allowed 4 on 4 but I think this is coming in the next game. The addition of having the option of playing with friend in your band over XBL is a blast and really is one of the coolest features. Harmonix didn’t set any new standards with the game but they did raise the bar a bit making what worked in the first game and then adding the one thing that was missing. Overall the Xbox Live mode is easy to use and makes the game have more replay value.

Graphics

They added some new animations but again knowing what worked in the first game they stayed on course and added some new things including stages and lighting effects. They nailed the look and the game looks great. With the addition of the songs from Rock Band 1, you get to see different things and it doesn’t repeat as often. The intro is cool and certainly sets the mood for the game.

Audio

Gamers will notice that the Rock Band 2 song list features more Indie groups. I understand why and know that Harmonix has several people in bands working for them. Some are great and most a decent but a few can get on your nerves. Overall the tracks sound well mastered for the game and there is a wide selection of music spanning from Thrash Metal to Rock. I am impressed with the fact that more groups are approaching Harmonix to get their music in the game. It was great to actually hear RUSH songs performed by RUSH. There still is the mystery keyboard player that is missing from certain songs and while it never affects the game it seems that it would be the next step for Harmonix to add keyboards to the game.

Replay Value

If you take the 82 songs just in the new game and the 20 free songs coming the first week of November, it’s an impressive list and hard to not say it has replay value. Throw in the set from Rock Band 1 and the DLC and you have an incredible amount of music to play. The throw in the different difficulties and the new Bass mode and the replay jumps a great deal. For some the game will be great for parties or a weekend thing. Others will get on live and play with their friends. The game is huge and I still have not played in every venue. Overall the game offers enough replay value for each level of gamer that the game appeals to.

Overall Score: 9.7/10.0

Additional Comments

I said it last year and I have to say it with Rock Band 2, this is the party game of the year. It is fun has a better online mode and offers more tutorials that the last game. Rock Band has set the bar and while others may need to include the same options to their games, Harmonix set the standard for the band games. Rock Band 2 has plenty to offer and some great music. Throw in the band modes and the game is hard to beat.

One last thing if you have not visited the Rock Band website you’re missing out on some very cool features. They have updated the site adding the option of posting pictures of your character in different poses taken from your last game session. It captures your clothing and the look you had the last time you played. While it may take awhile to post the pictures are very cool. You can order a T-Shirt, poster or even a 6″ figurine with your favorite instrument and see what it looks like then order it. It’s not cheap $60.00 but the site is one of the best interactive sites I have seen to be made for a game. Below is the link and the site also has new information and forums I have found it to be helpful in finding answers in betting the achievements and reading up on the newest DLC content coming out soon.

Links

Rock Band Official Website

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Categories: Reviews, Xbox 360
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