Where’s the Rock Band review you say? After I hyped Guitar Hero III and Rock Band leading up to the holidays it’s definitely a bit strange that this blog has seen no sign of Rock Band since November. Maybe I’ve just been too busy playing it to take the time to actually think about how to write about the sheer awesomeness of this game.
As it turns out, my parents kick ass. When I heard about the potential shortages of the game and the delay of the Canadian release, I sent them an email, knowing they were vacationing in Florida at the time. I kindly asked if they’d pick a set up for me if they saw it in stores. The phone call I received at 12:30am the night it was released was unexpected considering they usually sleep by 10:00. Turns out they called around and found out most stories would only have 5-6 units so they lined up at Walmart. Crazy.
Some people have hestitated to buy Rock Band because the $199 sticker tag makes it a mighty expensive purchase. To those people I’d say, this game is infinitely more playable than any other game I’ve ever played. As a solo player, you have guitar, bass, drum and vocal careers to explore. Or play in a band, either doing a world tour or pick up gigs.
The real reason I’m inspired to write this now is actually because I’ve been playing it so much. As anyone will tell you, the drums are the immediately obvious cool factor addition to this genre. Pounding on them and slowly getting better at drumming is fun and rewarding. Guitar playing rocks as always but be warned, hardcore GH fans will find Rock Band to be trivial. The turning point for me occurred last night.
Sitting alone at home at about 11:30pm I decided on a whim to start a vocal career. Something in me felt like belting out a tune. Just one song I thought. Try it out, that’s all. Thirty minutes later I’d completed the first section of the easy tour. It’s addictive and feels good to really sing your heart out.
It’s been noted that the drums actually teach people how to play fairly well. I wonder if Rock Band’s secret goal was to make karaoke around the world more tolerable for audiences by showing wannabee vocalists just how good/bad they actually are.
Why are you still reading this? It’s equally fun on your own, with your significant other and for large parties. Go get Rock Band already!
