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msu_Lacy's Rock Band 2 (360)
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| [April 26, 2009 08:41:05 PM]
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Rock Band 2 Review
Overview-
Rock Band 2 is the second installment of the Rock Band series developed by the company Harmonix Music System. The series is different among usual console games in that it has individual instrument controllers for the instruments emulated in game. The basis for the game is that you (and friends) have started a rock band and you must play your way to the very top and become world famous. The four instruments in game are the guitar and bass (playing on the guitar controller), the drums (played on the drum set), and vocals (played on a microphone).
Overall an entertaining game. It was built for multiple players, but it can also be enjoyed alone. The song selection has a wide range so even the most selective people can enjoy a song or two from the list. The songs are unlocked as the player progresses through the concerts the player(s) select to play. Some are just single songs, some are sets (either mystery sets or sets the player can pick songs to play from) and the better the player(s) do the faster the game progresses to new gigs and new songs. To be world famous is the object of the game and the challenges of new songs attract players to this popular game of the rock band series.
The Instruments -
The guitar controller is played with 6 color coded buttons on the neck of the guitar and a strumming switch at the base. The drums are designed much like a drum set with drumsticks to beat out the pattern shown on screen. The microphone controller is just used to sing into and match the tone of the voices played on screen. The better the person (or people) match the patterns the higher the score goes.
There are four levels for each instrument. Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert. Stepping from easy to medium and medium and hard will increase the number of buttons the player must control as well as increase the difficulty. Expert increases difficulty greatly and it takes a real pro to be able to get through a song on expert.
The smooth transition between levels is a definite plus in game and everyone can pick up the instruments with a bit of practice (There is a practice mode just for that). If The person is just completely uncoordinated, there is always the microphone or the no fail option on easy mode.
The Gameplay -
The Tour is the central focus of the Rock Band game. When first starting the game, the player(s) get to create a brand new band and the members of that band. With a band created, the player(s) are taken to their first town and only a few available gigs. The more gigs a player plays and the better the gig is played, the more gigs and the more areas open up. Along with gaining more gigs, there is also money earned and fans earned (or lost if failed).
The band expands around the city, then the country, then the world as they rock concerts and play famous rock songs. The expansion is nice in that it doesn't go to fast at first, but also, it does not hold back once the band gets use to the game play and wants to really explore the songs they can get.
There are other modes of gameplay as well. For example, there is an online verses mode where bands compete against each other and a trial game to earn more songs. No matter what mode is played, the controls and goal is always the same.
The Customization -
The customization for the characters is not bad, a player can change the face, hair, height, weight and various different color codes (skin, eyes, etc). The clothes at first are minimal, but there is an extensive shop for clothes, tattoos, hair, accessories, and even instruments that the player can purchase for their character with the money earned with the completed gigs. This aspect is especially interesting because there is such an extensive list of objects so there is plenty of incentive for the player to earn even more money.
Final Thoughts -
The game is definitely a good game for anyone who likes rock songs. From the obsessive who continues to play until they have rocked the top of expert to those casual gamers who only get to medium. The level of customization lets the player connect to the character and band and lets them feel like they are really up there rocking the stage with their favorite song. The individual controllers are fun and innovative way to play. The ability to play with multiple people on multiple instruments made it a first and really drove it ahead of its field.
It is probably not suggested for people who do not like rock because that is the only songs they have available, but to all others it is fun and enjoyable and only multiplied by more players.
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msu_Lacy's Rock Band 2 (360)
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Current Status: Playing
GameLog started on: Sunday 26 April, 2009
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