Nov 12
Rock Band First Impressions
As you know, I’ve been neck deep in Guitar Hero 3 as of late. SOMEHOW I’ve managed to make it to the last level and shocker the pain train just continues.
In any event, this weekend I managed to get out and about for a bit and I very happily got a chance to try out the game I’ve been waiting forever to try, Harmonix’s Rock Band.
And even though the game certainly didn’t endear me to it, it WILL be one I have to get.
The Guitar
Being so close to GH3, the absolute first thing I wanted to get my hands on was the guitar for Rock Band. And even though from a distance it looks more like a real guitar than GH’s, up close the look and feel pale in comparison.
Even though I don’t have either of the guitars in front of me at the moment, it’s almost as if the Guitar Hero guitar’s buttons are connected to the guitar at the top of the button whereas the Rock Band guitar’s buttons seem to be connected right in the middle of the button making them seem to wiggle a bit.
The Game
I’m sure it’s just a product of me being in bed with Guitar Hero 3 (and all the games before it) but I really struggled with the timing in Rock Band. Granted, I was playing at Best Buy on an LCD where I could barely hear the music, so a variety of issues could have been at play including calibration lag. But in any event, it just seemed that I had to strum way before the note was at the bottom line. Plus, you know those buttons at the other side of the neck? Never figured out what they were for. Of course it didn’t help that my partner on drums kept failing out. Another thing I didn’t get…
The Graphics
The graphics are fine because we’re not playing the game for the graphics. However, the background graphics (showing the band) wasn’t really doing it for me. It was like the graphics were intentionally blurred for some effect, but whatever they were going for… It was lost on me.
The Drums
You may think up to this point that I just hated the game. Na son! Before I left I had to try the drums and that was a ton of fun. Even though I don’t know how to play drums in real life, I really felt like I could wing it after a song in Rock Band. There were even parts where you hit the drums like crazy you know, “breakin’ it down”, and then you end on a symbol. Very very cool. If I had stayed on the drums the entire time, I probably would’ve had more fun for my little experience with the demo.
Conclusion
Until I’m playing the game in my own house where I can hear the music and really learn the nuances of the game, I feel like I can’t honestly give a thumbs up or thumbs down to the whole thing. Even though at first glance the guitar didn’t appear as tight in control as Guitar Hero, I think the ability to play with your friends with drums and a mic will more than make up for it. You know what I mean? I just hope my Guitar Hero friends will stick with Rock Band long enough to make it worth me draining $160 out of my wallet.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I’ve been enjoying GH3 on my Nintendo Wii since it launched at midnight a couple weeks ago
I’m just glad we have the opportunity to have it on the Wii, because in the past Nintendo always gets left out. Anyway, its unfortunate that Rock Band won’t be available on the Wii, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it (and live vicariously through you).
November 13th, 2007 at 10:22 am
@Kyle – Hey, my buddy just wrote a post over at Noob Alert about how GH3 on the Wii only outputs sound in mono. Have you noticed this at all? And on the subject of that game, I don’t know where you are, but I’ve made it to the last level on Expert. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do when I can’t even get through the One solo in Practice on SLOWEST speed.
And as I do to so many others, I welcome you to live vicariously through me! But first I have to come up with a way to get the game bought and inside my house w/o the wife stopping me. *nod*
November 13th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
You stole my drum picture… curses! No really I’m a little upset I missed the opportunity to try this game out. At least for now though I can’t see myself buying it. It seems like a lot of money to spend, and more of a game that would benefit from multiple people. Seeing as how the only person I know I could play this game with is my girlfriend, and she would rather me pick up a real guitar or drums… I might have to pass.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
@Noob Tastic – A comment from…. YOU!? I can scarcely believe my eyes! So yeah, like I said a couple months ago, I think I’m gonna probably end up “that guy” with the game so you kids can come over and play it during the XMas Potluck. (That invitation is open to everyone btw)