Game Informer reveals 'Ion' premium Rock Band 2 drum kit

The latest issue of Game Informer (via Score Hero) has a feature spread on Rock Band 2 and, while most of the information was released online yesterday, the magazine does have images of the new drum kit, both the upgraded basic and Ion Premium Set. The upgrades to the basic set include metal metal reinforcements on the foot pedal, velocity sensitive pads and expandable slots for cymbals.

[Sitris]

But it will need to do allot to steal the huge market appeal of GH. All my relatives bought ps3/wiis for GH thanks to them coming over to my place on boxing day, they all played guitar hero and went and bought it because it was fun. And they are planning on buying it again this year. What ima trying to say GH is the franchise non gamers think of when guitar/ music games are mentioned the higher price might get rid of some but if they see, RB prices the same as GH then they will probly take the safer choice of GH.

PSN ID: Sitris

[White-Sharingan]

hmmm idk

the special drums seem amazing but im still unsure

Major fan of RB but GH4 has nice touches too

RB2 or GH4

hmmm

[Darkiewonder]

if you have to think between choosing RB2 or gHIV then you should stop gaming now.

you and I know gHIV will be the definitive music game this year. Forget all the rest.

Oh and gHIV will have cymbal input while it's optional for RB2. hahah. way to go HMX/MTV.

[Hooby]

GH4 has Tool, idk what else you could need.

[BigBaehr]

Having optional cymbals is better because some people might not be able to get the hang of them, so I fail to see you logic there, because they have to be used for GH4.

[RevN8r]

The real tool is anyone who thinks GHIV is going to be anywhere close to RB. HMX started the GH franchise, and left it for a reason, it needed to be expanded. So they did it with Rock Band, and anyone who has played it with 3 other people will know that it is light years ahead of GH. Now they have had their first go of it, and are improving it, where GH is just going to be getting it's first shot.

What this article shows is that the HMX devs are thinking outside of the box - people who are already set up with RB don't need to go out and buy another complete setup, they can play with what they've got. If they want to, though, they have options to have the hardware the way they want it. Just want a slight upgrade? Go for the new set, maybe even throw on some add-on cymbals if you like. Want to go all out? Get the Ion. Also, @The Lazy One, The Ion Kit will be something that if you add the brain you can play without the game, good luck trying that with your GHIV kit.

Add to this an 80+ song setlist of some of the greatest rock songs of all time, 200+ downloadable songs, and the fact that HMX has released amazing DLC weekly since launch, and I don't see how anyone could think GH is even close.

Update: @The Lazy One - Easy: I do that on my real guitar, bass, and drums - I am a professional musician, it's what I do for a living. Rock Band is what I do when I want to game. Go ahead and keep on thinking your GH will be better, but when it comes out and isn't all you thought it would be, and you end up buying RB, don't say I didn't warn you.

[The Lazy One]

Why on earth would I want to buy the game, the set, and a brain, when I can buy just the other game and set?

Also, GHIV looks way better than RB in features. The new guitar and music creation are doing a lot more for taking music games further.

This is more like Rock Band updated. GHIV is what rock band 2 should have been. I really don't understand how you can argue with being able to create and share your own music.

[Dragonfood]

For me it it is no choice to get RB2 over GH. I have lots and lots of downloaded songs already for RB1 <courteousy of my friends mostly> and since they will transfer over seemlessly to RB2 it is really a no brainer for me. Add to the fact the guitar and drums from RB1 work on RB2 then that makes it even better. I am very tempted to get the ION set though. But as of right now all I need is the game disc.

[Isaac]

pwned

[BigBaehr]

You said it.

[Arsenic13]

That isnt the drum set. Look at the pictures text on the bottom right. Its just another drum set by the same company. Not the Rock Band 2 set.
This is the ion set: http://i334.photobucket.com...

[The Lazy One]

if GHIV came out with a premium set like this, there would be a 0% chance of me getting this game.

Sorry. imo you cannot beat being able to make and share your own music. Why should I have to buy a drum brain, when I can already just play the kit using only GHIV?

[KyonoRocks]

Hmm it looks good but shouldn't the high hat cymbal be more to the left? I don't play drums or anything but on Drummania (Konami Drum game that's been out for like 10 years, it's amazing) the high hat is parallel to the snare.. of course maybe Konami are wrong :P

[PlayStation360]

Technically, there is no "set" way to setup your kit. Well, other than the basics. Floor Tom on the floor, Bass Drum on the ground, etc. :P Most drummers just setup their kit the way they want it.

Check out this Drum kit from the Great Neil Peart.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_4oe...

[Hooby]

holy heck just get a real drum set

[xxBATTLECATxx]

this is getting ridiculous.....just learn to play a real instrument if any of you are planning on getting this rig or a life

[Diamondwolf]

Yes sir, because you know, no one wants to come from not knowing how to play and learning how to play a real kit while playing their favorite songs instead of practicing rudiments hours on end without seeing progress, but instead being inspired to learn the rudiments to attack the hard parts.

I came from basic music knowledge to actually learning how to play the drums thanks to the original RB, can't read music, but I can play by ear on a real kit and playing my favorite songs from the game.

So please, try another arguement, that one is old as he11

kthxbye

[xxBATTLECATxx]

yea.....
ive been playing drums for five years, guitar for six, bass for four, baritone, tuba, and trombone for three. i didnt need a video game to be inspired to play, all it took is love of the music and practice practice practice. when i first started drums i didnt read either, and i played by ear to songs on my stereo. its not the same as a video game. the reason i say its ridiculous is because of the fact that this particular rig exists. just get a REAL set instead of a video game if its gonna look that complicated.

[Lew_Ijgee]

Seems like a bit too much. At least for me it is.

[PlayStation360]

I don't now, I kinda like it. But still on the ledge of which to get, RB2 or GHwt