Harmonix perfect the role-playing rhythm game with this outstanding artistic package
Format: PS3 (version played), Xbox 360, Wii, DS Dev: Harmonix Pub: MTV Games / EA Out: 29/10/10 Players: 1-7, 2-7 online
Having sold a meagre 7,400 copies across all platforms following the first two days of the release of Rock Band 3, it could be argued that the hype surrounding rhythm games has finally begun to wane.
Having said that, Harmonix could have quite possibly delivered the finest game in the franchise featuring perhaps the most eclectic on-disc setlist to date. Artists include Queen, Bob Marley, John Lennon, The Beach Boys, Elton John, The Smiths and the Flaming Lips, while still covering the more traditional bases with artists familiarly associated with such games – Jimi Hendrix, Slipknot, Paramore and Ozzy Osbourne.
Anybody who owns the previous two Rock Band games and has downloaded themselves a whole host of extra tracks will be pleased to hear that you are able to consolidate your entire Rock Band library into Rock Band 3, with potentially thousands of songs to chose from – a very sensible and logical decision by Harmonix. A new instrument has been introduced for use with Rock Band 3, the keyboard. Didn’t see that one coming. If, like me, you’re done shelling out for peripherals you can just use your guitar controller to play the keyboard, like a keytar!
Most of the game features have seen some improvements. Players are able to create their own custom sets, featuring a hand-picked set of songs for which they can design artwork for, name and save to play again. Character creation and customisation has seen much needed improvements, with slight graphical advances resulting in them looking much better on stage during songs. Rock Band 3 has a more in-depth career mode, with more incentive offered for the player to bother progressing with it, such as a vast array of new challenges and rewards.
Although if a serious, in-depth experience is not what you are looking for, the game does refrain from insisting it upon the player. The option is there to choose from any of the 83 songs that are on the disc as standard to be played at will in quick play, which is always nice. If, on the other hand, you can’t get enough and constantly require more of a challenge, pro mode is the one for you. A difficulty setting with a prerequisite that you have to be a professional musician – well, not quite, but it’s really tough.
As per usual, something for everyone here and rather good fun when played with a group of friends.
Andy King
