'Rock Band 2' will rock you barefoot
Zach Wingerter
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: The Edge
Forget about the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Harmonix blew that theory out of the water.
Still reaping the benefits of the original "Rock Band," released last November, Harmonix made adjustments to an already-successful system and took "Rock Band 2" to a whole new level.
At first glance, "Rock Band 2" does not look much different than its predecessor. This is a good thing. The performance format of notes scrolling toward the screen on a semitransparent black conveyor belt remains the same, though the graphics are noticeably improved. Characters are sharper, venues are more detailed and the crowd is better animated. No adjustment is required to rock like your face is on fire in Quickplay mode.
The real progress lies in the little things: Characters can now cross over and play multiple instruments, eliminating the headache of having to create a drummer, a singer and a guitarist/bassist. Rather than spreading money won playing different instruments over three characters' bank accounts like in "Rock Band," your multitalented alter-ego can work up quite a bankroll to spend on clothes and equipment.
Instead of the straight-up solo tour mode and a cooperative mode that have been so consistent in the evolution of music-rhythm games, "Rock Band 2" features three gameplay options: Tour mode, Battle of the Bands and Tour Challenges. None of the three is strictly solo or multiplayer.
Tour mode allows players to form bands with friends over Xbox Live for the first time. Tour mode is very similar to the Band World Tour from "Rock Band," with the largest distinction being that two or more players are not required to make progress.
Battle of the Bands is an intuitive addition that should keep "Rock Band 2" from getting stale. Players can participate in daily and weekly competitions over Xbox Live. Some battles require a single-song solo performance on a given instrument (such as a competition to see who can get the longest note streak on guitar) while others are judged by overall star count and can be entered by one person or a whole four-member band.
Still reaping the benefits of the original "Rock Band," released last November, Harmonix made adjustments to an already-successful system and took "Rock Band 2" to a whole new level.
At first glance, "Rock Band 2" does not look much different than its predecessor. This is a good thing. The performance format of notes scrolling toward the screen on a semitransparent black conveyor belt remains the same, though the graphics are noticeably improved. Characters are sharper, venues are more detailed and the crowd is better animated. No adjustment is required to rock like your face is on fire in Quickplay mode.
The real progress lies in the little things: Characters can now cross over and play multiple instruments, eliminating the headache of having to create a drummer, a singer and a guitarist/bassist. Rather than spreading money won playing different instruments over three characters' bank accounts like in "Rock Band," your multitalented alter-ego can work up quite a bankroll to spend on clothes and equipment.
Instead of the straight-up solo tour mode and a cooperative mode that have been so consistent in the evolution of music-rhythm games, "Rock Band 2" features three gameplay options: Tour mode, Battle of the Bands and Tour Challenges. None of the three is strictly solo or multiplayer.
Tour mode allows players to form bands with friends over Xbox Live for the first time. Tour mode is very similar to the Band World Tour from "Rock Band," with the largest distinction being that two or more players are not required to make progress.
Battle of the Bands is an intuitive addition that should keep "Rock Band 2" from getting stale. Players can participate in daily and weekly competitions over Xbox Live. Some battles require a single-song solo performance on a given instrument (such as a competition to see who can get the longest note streak on guitar) while others are judged by overall star count and can be entered by one person or a whole four-member band.
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