"Let's talk about" is a new review format we tried out with Assassin's Creed and I think turned out pretty well. What you end up with is a review that reads more like a conversation and you hear a few people's opinion, instead of just one. Part one today, part two on Monday.

So, let's talk about Rock Band!

From: Dan Zuccarelli

Date: Nov 27, 2007 1:39 PM

To: Kevin Alexander, Heidi

There's a few timeless moments I've had playing video games, and last Wednesday night was one of them. Getting a room full of people together to play Rock Band was immensely enjoyable and when everyone was into it, euphoric even. I think we played closed to 4 hours and in NO WAY did it feel like it. I'd occasionally worry about the noise we were creating, but my caring quickly went out the window when it came time to pick another song. Hell, I loved playing this game in a group so much I didn't even mind singing! The game succeeds in the sense that I felt like a damn rock star. It's still solid as a stand alone game, but it really does pale in comparison to the co-op.

But one of the reasons the single player campaign game can't compete is because the deep "Band Tour Mode" is unavailable if you're playing alone. This is truly a shame since it's essentially where the game lies. Band names, multi-song setlists, different locales, tour buses and all the other things that make up a tour. Single player is pretty much just playing one song after another, which is cool.... but not as cool as the whole Tour thing. I understand what they were going for, but not all of us are going to have people around to join in all the time and it seems unfair for those of us out there to miss out on such a HUGE part of the game. Would it really have been so difficult to let people play through the Tour mode in single player?

Do you feel a bit cheated by the lack of single-player game modes, or is it just me?

DanZ

From: Kevin Alexander

Date: Nov 27, 2007 4:58 PM

To: Dan Zuccarelli, Heidi

I don't know Dan, I think that Rock Band almost needs to be played with a group. It's not a sequel to "Guitar Hero" or "Karaoke Revolution", it's called "Rock Band". Your point is well understood and it will probably be more frustrating to me once I spend more time with the single player aspect of it, but I've almost ignored it if my other bandmates aren't around or don't want to play (rehearsal time is essential for 4th Avenue Freezeout!!)

Last Wednesday was a blast and I don't think I've ever come closer to having an orgasm while playing a game then when we rocked "Won't Get Fooled Again". Like you said, this game makes you feel like a rock star, more so than Guitar Hero ever did. The embarrassment you might feel while playing a fake instrument alone is completely swallowed by having three other idiots around messing up their parts as well. Those who were afraid of singing in front of other people (*cough* you and Heidi *cough*) have no problem stepping up to the mic and belting out a tune or two.

My big problem with the game, so far, lies in the menu and character system. I don't understand how at this point in game development a very smart group of people can make a menu system that is confusing and awkward to navigate. It's also annoying to not be able to create a single avatar for your Xbox profile and use that avatar for every instrument. Am I out of my mind here or do I have a point?

Kevin

From: Heidi

Date: Nov 28, 2007 2:13 PM

To: Dan Zuccarelli, Kevin Alexander

Yes, Kev, you are out of your mind... but you do have a point. (Heh, heh. Sorry, you set yourself up.) The menu system is definitely clunky and awkward, particularly when forming a band and choosing characters. And it makes no sense that you have to create a different character for each instrument. It's interesting that the menu system is so counter intuitive when the game itself is the total opposite.

The dynamic that forms when you have a guitarist, a bass player, a drummer, and a singer all playing at the same time mimics the dynamic of a real band. Which is amazing! Playing last Wednesday, we not only experienced the joy of making it through a really awesome song together, but also what happens when someone screws up. For example, we noticed that if the drummer screws up, it throws off everyone else. Just like it would in a real band.

I actually don't know if I will play through all of the instruments in single player mode at all. Particularly guitar, since I found that even playing a little aggravates my tendinitis. (Insert link to previous story here?) If I do any of the instruments alone, it will be drums. They're different, they're challenging, and most importantly of all they're fun. Really fun! Singing no longer terrifies me, but it's not my cup of tea, and while the guitar and bass parts are fun, it's pretty much the same thing as Guitar Hero, and I've been there and done that.

So do you think Rock Band replaces Guitar Hero from here on out?

Heidi

From: Dan Zuccarelli

Date: Nov 28, 2007 2:53 PM

To: Kevin Alexander, Heidi

I actually couldn't agree more about avatar portability, my character John Lenin is awesome and I should be able to use him whenever I want. The strange thing is that no where in the process does it even tell you that the drummer you just made CAN'T play the guitar, it's something you just kind of figure out along the way (another knock against the menu system). Besides, you gonna tell me that there's no real world musicians out there that can't play multiple instruments?

The tour mode is an awesome idea, and the framework for something really spectacular is there but it needs work. The idea that there's a leader that MUST be there in order to play makes it difficult coupled with the inability to switch instruments around is a big downer for me. I'm still salty that you can't play tour mode alone and I guarantee that that'll be different in Rock Band 2.

But back to the gameplay, I have to agree with Heidi how when the drummer trails off it can screw up everyone else! Just hearing the tap of the drumpads out of time would throw me off. Of course the opposite is when everyone's on the same page, and when it happens it's the kind of feeling that makes me happy I'm a gamer. Doesn't hurt when you have an audience nearby to cheer you on, or laugh as you sing Timmy & the Lords of the Underworld.

See, now that's the interesting question. Guitar Hero sold by the truckload this time out, and Rock Band almost certainly sold considerably less. Rock Band may be best in a group of 2 or more people, but it really needs to enable people to enjoy the game solo if it wants to move units. I think that'll become easier when we get individual instruments for sale in early '08, and once that happens it'll become clearer which way the wind is blowing. I mean what can Guitar Hero possibly add to GH IV to bring it up to Rock Band's level? More boss battles? With the ability to focus on the instrument of your choice, and the weekly downloads, Rock Band is definitely aligning itself to be the defacto music/rhythm game.

How bout you Kev, Rock Band pushing out Guitar Hero? Or is there room for both?

DanZ

Check back Monday for part 2!

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