'Rock Band 2' will rock you barefoot
Zach Wingerter
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: The Edge
Tour Challenges most closely resembles the recognizable set list progression of former games: You play increasingly difficult lists of songs, and beating one challenge unlocks more challenges. There are separate challenges for each individual instrument (vocals, drums, guitar and bass) as well as full-band set lists.
"Rock Band 2" also offers a new Drum Trainer mode. Drummers can learn percussion fundamentals in Beat Trainer and hone their fill skills in Fill Trainer. Both modes map out the notes and let users control the speed, from 60 beats per minute to 200.
The best mode of Drum Trainer is the Freestyle Mode. Players can choose from several diverse drum kit sounds and either play along with music via the Xbox Music Player or turn up the speakers and have a jam session with an acoustic guitar-wielding friend.
Also new in "Rock Band 2" for drummers is the long-awaited drum solo. In songs such as Beck's "E-Pro," the drum part is highlighted with a blue background (like a guitar solo). While this doesn't accomplish a whole lot, it gives drummers the same satisfaction that guitarists get when "Perfect Solo!" flashes across the screen.
The tweaks made to the Tour mode are the most impressive new aspects of the Rock Band franchise. "Rock Band 2" puts control of the band squarely on the shoulders of the player, such as deciding whether to hire a merch girl to increase profits or a stylist to increase fans. As more cities and venues are unlocked by completing songs, more staff members, each with unique ways to aid the band, become available.
It seems that the margin of error has increased slightly in "Rock Band 2," making the game easier (but in no way less fun) than "Rock Band." It is reminiscent of the improvements made in "Guitar Hero II" when compared to the original "Guitar Hero" - the sequel is more forgiving than the first game because developers have had time to fix the things that gave gamers trouble. This may be important to keep in mind when "Guitar Hero World Tour," the first multi-instrumental game of the Guitar Hero franchise, arrives in stores next month.
"Rock Band 2" also offers a new Drum Trainer mode. Drummers can learn percussion fundamentals in Beat Trainer and hone their fill skills in Fill Trainer. Both modes map out the notes and let users control the speed, from 60 beats per minute to 200.
The best mode of Drum Trainer is the Freestyle Mode. Players can choose from several diverse drum kit sounds and either play along with music via the Xbox Music Player or turn up the speakers and have a jam session with an acoustic guitar-wielding friend.
Also new in "Rock Band 2" for drummers is the long-awaited drum solo. In songs such as Beck's "E-Pro," the drum part is highlighted with a blue background (like a guitar solo). While this doesn't accomplish a whole lot, it gives drummers the same satisfaction that guitarists get when "Perfect Solo!" flashes across the screen.
The tweaks made to the Tour mode are the most impressive new aspects of the Rock Band franchise. "Rock Band 2" puts control of the band squarely on the shoulders of the player, such as deciding whether to hire a merch girl to increase profits or a stylist to increase fans. As more cities and venues are unlocked by completing songs, more staff members, each with unique ways to aid the band, become available.
It seems that the margin of error has increased slightly in "Rock Band 2," making the game easier (but in no way less fun) than "Rock Band." It is reminiscent of the improvements made in "Guitar Hero II" when compared to the original "Guitar Hero" - the sequel is more forgiving than the first game because developers have had time to fix the things that gave gamers trouble. This may be important to keep in mind when "Guitar Hero World Tour," the first multi-instrumental game of the Guitar Hero franchise, arrives in stores next month.
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