1UP: Rock Band 2 Review

Review by Robert Ashley:

"When pimping his studio's ubiquitous band simulator in the press, Harmonix cofounder Alex Rigopulos is fond of calling Rock Band a "platform for music," like Apple's iPod and iTunes. In that sense, Rock Band 2 is more like a system update than a sequel. It's a collection of interface tweaks and non-earth-shattering new features designed to make the Rock Band experience more enjoyable and less frustrating. You get backward compatibility for all your downloaded material and 55 of the original game's 58 songs (after ponying up $5), an easier-to-navigate library, game-changing rule sets (the No Fail mode definitely makes drunken-party play less stressful for beginners), daily updated online challenges (Battle of the Bands), tougher, quieter, wireless hardware (if you're made of money), and, most notably, a couple of drum-training modes that teach aspiring pizza-delivery boys real-life drum beats and fills.

The real attraction here is the game's Sticky Fingers-like bulge of music. With 84 tunes on the disc (all are original recordings) and 20 free downloads form the online store, Rock Band 2 is simply the cheapest way to beef up your library. Not to belittle the selections here -- music taste is extremely personal, of course, and no matter what your preferences are, you'll likely end up despising 10 or 15 songs. But Rock Band 2's offerings are ambitious compared to the original game's lineup, with several major gets that would have seemed impossible just a year ago. Who ever thought they'd be able to play a classic Bob Dylan song in a videogame? Or "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads?"

[butterfinger]

sounds about right:)

[silverchode]

isnt this game just like rockband 1 except with new songs?

[pwnsause]

Rock Band 2 Adds new modes not found in the original, Plus, PS3 Users get to enjoy what xbox 360 owners have been enjoying Since last year, Better online+ Voice Chat Capability.

[barom]

What type of modes? All I heard was the no-fail mode and the practice mode.

Their new tracklist is very impressive compared to the first one though.

[pwnsause]

why disagree, the PS3 version of RB1 never had voice chat capabilities and the online portion was weak. go and play it and see what im talking about.

and yes it has a few modes, about 2-4 i think.

I might opt in for RB2 if GH:world Tour Sucks

[PimpDaddy]

Have a bubble. I swear the fanatics on this site are getting out of hand. It's why I rarely comment any more. No matter what you say you get hit with the E. Honda 100 disagree b!tch slap and they take bubbles.

Heaven forbid you actually stated a fact. I just wonder which side of the lame fanboy war between PS3 owners and 360 owners you pissed off? Or was it both?

I never tried Rock Band for either my 360, PS3, or Wii. So I am going to give Rockband 2 a try.

[Lord_Ash]

" No matter what you say you get hit with the E. Honda 100 disagree b!tch slap and they take bubbles."

Dude I cracked up laughing thanks to you, here have a bubble.

and if you get Rock Band 2 on the PS3 send me your PSN ID, I play everyday.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Rock Band 2 will be a Fantastic Addition to my Growing Playstation 3 Multiplatform Game Collection

[Montrealien]

where's your psn fakeboy? I'll score dual you at guitar on expert any day.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

I look forward to Browsing through the Song Collection on PSN,without a doubt I will enjoy the experience very very much

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Since playing Online is Free on the Ps3,I expect the Online Community of Rock Band 2 will greatly Embrace the Phenomenal Playstation Network

[Montrealien]

enjoy it next month. I'll be enjoying it this week, true gamers aren't brand whores, and don't limit themselves to one console.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Thank you Sony for providing True Gamers with a Free Online Network

[Kappa Mikey]

yes rockband 2

[Stryfeno2]

Nice another game for my 360 + Live = Winner!!!

[TheBeginningOfTheEnd]

along my sweet ass new ion drum set.

am i cool or what?

[thekingofMA]

i actually laughed out loud. fraction of a bubble coming at ya.

but even though you were making fun of yourself, that ION kit is awesome. i thought about getting one, but $300 is just too much for an electronic drum kit, as i would never use it as real drums, and i rarely play drums in Rock Band anyways

[TheBeginningOfTheEnd]

for an electric deumset 300 is kinda cheap, considering its not a very good electronic drumset (no double pads, cant choke the cymbals) but yeah you then have to shell out 360 more dollars for the drum module in order to use it as a real drum kit.

[jerethdagryphon]

might get it maybe

[supahbad]

loved RB1, selling it to get all of 2. i'm sorry but i prefer rockbands songs to the songs and, song creator in GHWT. its all going to be crap songs, i mean if there were any good bands wanting to make music don't you think they'd use instruments that weren't plastic. i never liked GH enough to buy one, and i got RB1 for free and i can say that i would have bought it now

[thekingofMA]

dont be sorry your prefer Rock Band. so do i

guitar hero has sold out. and i don't mean sold out as in making a great album/game like The Who (a RB exclusive band) did

but you're not going to be able to get RB1 for RB2 trade in credit you realize right? i would say just buy the game which is out now, instead of paying up to get wireless instruments (i love wireless controllers, but i always think they're going to fail on me like the GH3 Les Paul, so i'm sticking with the RB1 ones) a whole month later

but whatever, it's your choice (goes off to play RB2 for several more hours) :)

[Lord_Ash]

Yeah Guitar Hero 4 set list is a big disappointment for me, there’s excellent songs but overall it’s horrible it’s even worse than GH3’s set.

And why Metallica – Trapped Under Ice? I mean seriously? They chose the only bad song on Ride the Lightening.

[Lord_Ash]

Too bad I'll have to wait 14 more days for the PS3 game, I own a 360 but all my past DLCs are on my PS3.