Rocking out with Rock Band: 2/5/08 DLC Review
by Derek Wilson on February 5, 2008 4:25 AM EST- Posted in
- Software
This Week's New Music
Not the most exciting week in Rock Band downloadable content, we did have a good time play testing these new tracks. Well, two out of three isn't bad…
These are the new songs. It can be fun to play songs you
don't like, but when you are paying for the privilege it is a good idea to at
least make sure you can stand listening to the song before buying it. See if you can go find a preview of these songs to get an idea of what we are working with.
We are rating these games based on difficulty and how fun
they are. Personal opinion on the song itself will vary greatly between
individuals, so we will focus on the gameplay experience.
B-52s :: Roam (Moderate Songs)
Difficulty: This one can be a bit tricky to get at first, but once you grab on to the overall pattern the repetition will carry you through. There aren't any singly difficult parts for drums or guitar.
Experience: Playing this one is satisfying: it's not boring but it does feel a tiny bit long towards the end. It is really unexpectedly fun and easy to recommend to anyone. This one is our pick for the week.
Rank: 1
Faith No More :: We Care a Lot (Apprentice Songs)
Difficulty: This is an incredibly easy song even on Expert. There really is no difficulty here; this is one of the most straight forward songs we've played.
Experience: The drums are incredibly boring mostly involving the use of one arm and one leg even on Expert. There are short bursts of interest, but not enough to justify unless this is a personal favorite song. Guitar is a bit less boring than the drums offering occasional fun, but still not one we'll be playing often.
Rank: 3 (a distant third)
KISS :: Calling Dr. Love (Moderate Songs)
Difficulty: This one was the hardest song released today. This one is more technical and took more time to really master the rhythm. The guitar also offers a good challenge.
Experience: While we would say that the B-52s song was more simply "fun", this song offers more technical challenge and those who like to think a bit more while they play might prefer this one. Certainly a good addition to anyone's set list unless you just can't stand KISS.
Rank: 2 (a close second)
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Reg0r - Sunday, February 10, 2008 - link
Acutally, the song Vasoline is based around a paradiddle (or single paradiddle if you prefer), NOT a double paradiddle.DerekWilson - Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - link
oops ... i miss typeded :-)thanks, its been corrected.
protest the hero - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - link
Any idea which version 'We Care A Lot' is, with the original Mr Bungle singer, or Patton ?It's one of my favorite songs by them, though I'll even admit I didn't understand the choice of it being in the game, as it's not remotely technical. It is very catchy though :P
Spivonious - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - link
So does the game actually resemble what Peart is playing?Reg0r - Sunday, February 10, 2008 - link
Yes. I haven't studied the working man track as much, but the RB version of Tom Sawyer is incredibly close to the actual drum parts that Neil plays.Rage187 - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - link
Siva on expert drumshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zh9eP5ocg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zh9eP5ocg
the guy is a monster.
Snooper - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - link
I didn't understand it either. I bought my nephew a XBox 360 for Christmas. Of course, my brother and sister-in-law knew what I was getting him.She bought my brother Rock Band for Christmas (harder than heck to track down before Christmas!). I was frankly stunned to find out that is actually what my brother wanted! He'd played it at a friends house...
Well, the whole family was at their house for Christmas, so we had give it a try!. And it was actually a lot of fun. A whole lot more fun than I would have expected. You can get four people playing (we only had three as they hadn't bought the extra guitar. Yet), and it is cooperative play. A heck of a lot of fun, especially for (and with) the kids.
I never did get very good with the drums, but I COULD hit the notes! Thank GOD they don't make you be in the right octave!
ninjit - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - link
I've heard lots of people rave about Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but I personally could never understand the appeal (but I've never played it)Derek's introductory paragraph pretty much sums up my own opinion as well:
- if you want to play music, pick up a real instrument, it can be so much more fullfilling.
- if you want to play video games, play them.
I didn't quite see how they could mix; I always looked at it like Dance-Dance-Revolution but with instruments - and that's a game I've tried and truly detest.
I guess I'll have to actually try it before I knock it though.
... Now if I could only find a !@#$ing Wii at retail price!
yyrkoon - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - link
I kind of agree.It would be nice though *if* a similar(but 'better') tool taught proper technique.
Having had several guitars of my own, and having learned somewhat of how to play, I can not help but giggle every time I see someone playing 'guitar hero' . . . they may as well be playing 'air guitar' because from what I have seen, it actually teaches bad guitar habits, let alone improper habits.
Then again, this is not a training tool, it is a game, one that is a complete waste of time in my own opinion.
saiga6360 - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - link
You sir, are a nimrod.