ROCK BAND 2 - 10/10
Well . . . . was fortunate enough to have a copy of (NTSC version) ROCK BAND 2 arrive on my door step on Tuesday 21 Oct.
Before I mention the game itself, it would be fair to mention that it was the disc only - I've opted to forgo the newer, improved RB2 instruments from my experience with the RB 1 instruments, and other available options.
In brief:
• Fender guitar - the RB1 fender was OK - just OK. Buttons were a bit 'slow' and the strum bar was not only 'slow' as well - it was unreliable to boot. As a peripheral, it certainly looked and felt the part, but the Nyko Frontman (even though its more 'toy' looking, and lacks the solo buttons) was a far better gameplay option. A hunt on the net tends to indicate that a colour change, some minor tweaking of the strum bar, and an auto-calibrate light are the only significant changes to the RB2 fender - so think I'll keep my Nyko going and wait and see how the GHWT guitar works out.
• Drums - original drum set still going strong - opted for the metal foot pedal upgrade early on (ala Wutang01 - thanks for the tip buddy) and given that the noise of the pads didnt really bother me, nor did the connection cable, the option of quieter pads and wireless connection didnt seem to be worth another set of drums crowding out the lounge room. The upgrade port for the cymbals was tempting, but they arent available yet (cymbals by Mad Catz- apparenlty mid November) so again - thought I'd give the GHWT drums a run when they arrive next month instead. Worse case scenario - RB1 and GHWT drums on EBay, hello Ion Rocker Drum Kit 
So - game only at this stage.
OK - game itself. Most of you would have read that it could really be described as ROCK BAND 1.5, and thats a fair assessment - nothing major has happened, and frankly, thats a good thing.
The graphics are much the same - theres more clothes, etc for your character if your into that sort of thing, but not much else has changed (new venues, of course)
The gameplay / menu structure - heres where the guys at Harmonix have kicked things up a notch:
- Solo World Tour on any instrument with, or without, extra band members as they show. That is - no more waiting for all your band members to front to play - start without 'em, if you like.
- Music store difficulty charts and album covers / art accompany each song.
- Song selection is MUCH easier - no more rattling up and down all the songs looking for a favourite. Shortcut buttons give the option to choose base on difficulty, genre, decade, band and alphabetically.
- Personal setlists - you can now create your own setlist by choosing the songs you want to play before starting.
- Challenges - these are very entertaining, and basically amount to you and your 'band' members achieving set tasks (eg. 9 song marathon)
- Online play is much easier to log into, and play with, or against, online players
- Song score rankings - you can now see how you compare to everyone else worldwide on a particular song
- Song list - a number of surprise entries, with some all-time classics thrown in as well. Not all songs will appeal to all tastes, but theres something for everyone, and more than enough for most.
- RB1 songs (except 3) can be imported for $4.99 USD and add to an already impressive song list, along with any DLC you may already have purchased.
All in all - an overhaul of the mechanics of Rock Band 1, rather than an innovative step. Then again, RB1 was so far ahead of itself, its good that Harmonix went to the trouble to polish up their 'crowning jewel' rather than move away on a different tangent.
Will Rock Band 2 be replayable for nearly a year, like Rock Band 1?
Yep - most likely given the 200 odd DLC songs / albums already, and new DLC every week (so far)+ 80 odd songs on the disc + 50 songs from RB1 + 20 free songs from Harmonix in November + (instrument)compatibility with GHWT, though some early reports seem to indicate the GHWT drums dont map correctly in RB 1 / 2 at this stage - hopefully a patch will be available soon.
If the (earlier) Guitar Hero series grabbed your attention - Rock Band 1 & 2 are a quantum leap forward again, particularly because you can involve a heap of friends on different instruments (lead, bass, drums, vocals).
If you have a PS3 and enjoy this style of game - do yourself a favour . . . . its no exaggeration to say that this is easily the most fun & best value game I've ever owned.
Cant wait for the AC/DC track pack in November 
* * * EDIT* * *
Gave in, and bought a set of the RB2 drums + cymbal upgrade. I liked the RB1 set, if a little 'clacky' when struck - and, of course, there really being no other comparable controllers - but the ability to add cymbals really makes it a far more fun experience.
Maybe my set isnt calibrated correctly, since the 'velocity sensitive' aspect doesnt seem to make any difference (tho I do like to give 'em a beatin', so maybe its just me) but, all in all, a great drum kit controller. I like it.
* * * EDIT #2 * * *
Have now had a chance to play through GH:WT, and its pretty good, to be sure. Some **gag** "ordinary" song inclusions (yes, Willie Nelson - most of the known Universe is wondering why you are in a ROCK game . . . ) but also some excellent favourites, along with some (good) surprise entries.
On top of that, theyve (Red Octane) made the note stream more 'realistic' rather than artificially difficult, as well as a very generous timing window on notes / chords, making the game so much more accessible across the board for everyone.
The new guitar controller is great - in fact, its my new favourite, and now gets used in Rock Band as well. The drums ? hhhmmm . . . personal preference I guess, but the RB2 set + Mad Catz cymbals still gets my vote.
So - why am I talking about GH:WT in a Rock Band 2 review, you ask? "Cos its the eternal question - which is better?
In practical terms, I've had RB 1 / RB2 for nearly a year, so they are kinda like a pair of comfortable runners BUT any step forward is, nonetheless, a step forward, so I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of GH:WT as well.
But I can honestly say that my preference still lies firmly with Rock Band 2.
Having played both, RB2 is a more refined, mature approach (lets face it, graphics in a music sim arent that important, but GH:WT is still very 'cartoony', as does the general layout of the game interface) - and the new RB2 interface is simpler than RB1, and provides a wealth of information before choosing a song.
Although I should mention that the touch-sensitive solo fret section on the GH:WT - whilst a little awkward to use at times - is nonetheless, lotsa fun. Heres hoping RB3 instruments will feature something similar . . .
For now, DLC choice is a one-horse-race in RB's favour (by a long way).
SO - 'spose it will end up as a FORD vs HOLDEN type debate but I am of the opinion that Rock Band 2 is a superior experience (tho GH:WT is still lots of fun, dont get me wrong . . .)and the better of the (excellent) choices for this type of game we have right now.
Submitted by Sstick98
25/10/2008
438
13
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