Author Topic: So I played RockBand today... (Read 8576 times)

BranDonk Kong · « **on:** October 31, 2007, 05:18:37 PM »

...I was going to Best Buy for some DVD+Rs, when off by the computer section they had an XBox 360 playing Guitar Hero 2 on display (and a second Wii display)...and to my amazement there was another XBox 360 playing a demo of RockBand, complete with the Stratocaster, microphone, and drums. I only played the drums for about a minute (on hard), I don't really know if I was doing bad or good. I switched to guitar and played 'Say it Ain't So' on Expert, and whooped it's ass - after playing miserably for a minute in the beginning. The guitar, while basically having the same layout as the Guitar Hero guitars, takes some getting used to. The buttons are much bigger, and there's no gap between them, so it's kind of hard to tell where your fingers are laid out. I hope this is a very early beta or something, because the guitar part for 'Say it Ain't So' actually follows the bass line, which doesn't make any sense - maybe on easy it should, but the guitar (during the verses) is completely different than the bass, although based on the same rhythm. The drum solos you can do are pretty awesome, and are pretty realistic. I wish there was a bass drum pedal though, instead of the game hitting the bass drum for you. From my (very short) experience - the drums are awesome, but as far as guitar parts are concerned, Guitar Hero 3 (and GH2...and GH1) are better, and by quite a bit.

Edit - once again my hook-up has come through, and I've got Rock Band, the game, not the full kit. I'm not going to buy the guitar, because the one at Best Buy broke (you can only do up-strokes), which makes me believe it sucks, and also I have 2 GH2 X-Plorers already (I'm going to trade in one of them for a Les Paul when I can find one). I've already breezed through the first set on Expert, but the second set looked boring, so I gave it a break for now. I'm now jsut looking forward to Tuesday so I can (hopefully, since I'm working all day) find a drum set, as that's what I'm really looking forward to in this game (and playing the sh!t out of Enter Sandman).

Shift Key · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2007, 08:57:21 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Brandogg
the drums are awesome, but as far as guitar parts are concerned, Guitar Hero 3 (and GH2...and GH1) are better, and by quite a bit.

Good news then - Rock Band supports the Guitar Hero guitars, for those who swing that way.

Louieturkey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2007, 01:58:53 PM »

You sure you didn't accidentally choose the bass guitar line instead of the accoustic line as they are both playable in the game?

SixthAngel · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2007, 02:34:01 PM »

I don't see how Rock Band isn't going to bomb. I just looked up some prices and the thing is so expensive. The reason Guitar Hero is a hit isn't just because it replicates a guitar, it is also that after trying it the first time everybody is shocked that it is the same price as a normal game. Does anyone really see the average guitar hero fan, much less themselves, spending tons of money on peripherals that take up a whole room? I would much prefer if they just broke it up into separate games with focus on each individual instrument instead of trying to sell me one giant all in one music package.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2007, 02:38:36 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
I don't see how Rock Band isn't going to bomb. I just looked up some prices and the thing is so expensive. The reason Guitar Hero is a hit isn't just because it replicates a guitar, it is also that after trying it the first time everybody is shocked that it is the same price as a normal game. Does anyone really see the average guitar hero fan, much less themselves, spending tons of money on peripherals that take up a whole room? I would much prefer if they just broke it up into separate games with focus on each individual instrument instead of trying to sell me one giant all in one music package.

Except for the fact that most get Guitar Hero with a guitar and that is 89-99$. Rock Band is only 149.99 with 3 instruments and normal price without. The game will be a big hit, it is a great deal and could be loads of fun.

Shift Key · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2007, 03:26:00 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
The reason Guitar Hero is a hit isn't just because it replicates a guitar, it is also that after trying it the first time everybody is shocked that it is the same price as a normal game.

Sorry but that logic doesn't fly. I have to pay $150 when Guitar Hero 3 comes out here, give or take a couple of dollars depending on your platform.

I shudder to think how Rock Band will be priced here.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2007, 03:30:31 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Shift Key
Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
The reason Guitar Hero is a hit isn't just because it replicates a guitar, it is also that after trying it the first time everybody is shocked that it is the same price as a normal game.

Sorry but that logic doesn't fly. I have to pay $150 when Guitar Hero 3 comes out here, give or take a couple of dollars depending on your platform.

I shudder to think how Rock Band will be priced here.

I would be surprised if it is 200-250$. You guys do get screwed big time!

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2007, 03:50:59 PM »

Nope, I was definitely playing guitar. For the entire rest of the song, the notes/chords followed the guitar parts, but the verses followed the bass, which was terrible. It may just be because Say it Ain't So has a kind of off-beat guitar rhythm that could be kind of hard to follow in the game...but that's why it's called expert. Hopefully the drums are available alone at the launch, cause I have no need for the guitar, though it does look awesome, and having the "solo" frets (which work at all times, and you actually never need to use) is pretty cool.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2007, 03:52:19 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Brandogg
Nope, I was definitely playing guitar. For the entire rest of the song, the notes/chords followed the guitar parts, but the verses followed the bass, which was terrible. It may just be because Say it Ain't So has a kind of off-beat guitar rhythm that could be kind of hard to follow in the game...but that's why it's called expert. Hopefully the drums are available alone at the launch, cause I have no need for the guitar, though it does look awesome, and having the "solo" frets (which work at all times, and you actually never need to use) is pretty cool.

Actually I believe you can get all 3 instruments separately.

SixthAngel · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2007, 10:12:20 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Except for the fact that most get Guitar Hero with a guitar and that is 89-99$. Rock Band is only 149.99 with 3 instruments and normal price without. The game will be a big hit, it is a great deal and could be loads of fun.

They really upped the price a lot since the first one, I didn't realize. I payed $60 dollars for it new by shopping around. I didn't check the prices of the new Guitar Heroes but figured they were in the ballpark and maybe jacked up a little for the 360 and ps3 for the HD or some crap (like it matters in a music game) but it really is $90 dollars now. The Wii version is even $90 when the remote does all the wireless and everything. I never would have given this game a chance back when the first one came out if it was so much.

I certainly won't be buying either one anytime now, it is just way to expensive for one game. Shouldn't they try to put a mass market price on a game that has everyone appeal? I can get two Wii games for this price. $150 is an entire game beyond that, and more then half the price of the Wii itself. I don't really see Rock Band doing well especially considering the size (in the house and the retail store) and the more well known and cheaper competition.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2007, 07:17:47 AM »

I played it again the other day, the drums are way too easy, although I guess they can't have any "3 note chords" on the drums. The strum bar on the guitar broke about 10 seconds into Wanted Dead or Alive though, which sucked, because the strum bar is (I thought) the best part of the guitar...besides the fact that it's beautiful.

Nick DiMola · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2007, 07:47:04 AM »

I love the idea of this game and where they are going with it, but at $150, that is waaaaay more than I am willing to pay. If I had a group of people that would play this with me all the time, I might be willing to shell out the dough, but $150 is still steep. I'll pass for now and maybe some time in the future this game can be had for sub-$100.

PurpleLink · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2007, 10:46:21 AM »

I didn't really like the game as the guitar felt rather lame because I couldn't tell whether or not I was strumming thanks to the controller and if I remember there wasn't any notch on the yellow to tell you where your fingers are.

It was actually quite easy compared to some of the songs on Expert from the Guitar Hero series. So I think I'd rather prefer GH over RB in this light.

Also about people not wanting this game because of its price point is pure nonsense. When I was playing there was about 30 or 40 people watching us all inquiring about the game and were astonished when they found out it was only 160 for all that you get. So I think this is going to sell alot.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:18:28 PM »

I believe it's actually $169. It's a bit absurd when you realize the instruments are really just gigantic controllers. I'm just gonna get the drums and the game, provided someone has them in stock. I probably won't even play the guitar that much, it's just way too easy.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:23:41 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Brandogg
I believe it's actually $169. It's a bit absurd when you realize the instruments are really just gigantic controllers.

I think it is absurd you have to pay $50-60 for a game when you realize all a game is, is a cheap shiny disk with code on it.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2007, 03:54:23 PM »

Ok I see your point there, but these are giant 3rd party controllers. 3rd party controllers are usually half the price of MS branded ones, if that. When the 360 launched, I believe it was revealed that a wireless controller actually costs about $11 to make, so these giant controllers can't cost all that much. At least Harmonix did have the class to make Rock Band work with the Guitar Hero controllers, unlike what Neversoft did. When GH3 controllers are made available alone for the Wii, they better be cheap, since they basically piggyback off the Wiimote.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2007, 01:38:01 PM »

Good news - I played again today, and my buddy pointed out to me on the loading screen, that although the demo unit doesn't include one, the final game will ship *with* a kick pedal. That should make the game a lot more fun and challenging, if you can add an extra kick pedal, then I'll probably cry.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2007, 02:38:44 AM »

I thought it seemed weird that there wasn't one after reading about all the work they did to make it feel right without a drum to hit.

Ceric · « **Reply #18 on:** November 08, 2007, 06:20:49 AM »

By my understanding the idea was you buy the game by itself for regular game price and then everyone would buy a peripheral...

UncleBob · « **Reply #19 on:** November 08, 2007, 06:30:53 AM »

It's that the same plan of GBA connectivity?

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #20 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:33:56 AM »

Is anyone familiar with Ben Heck's crazy ass console mods? I'm hoping he, or someone like him, will take the Rock Band drums, and mod the touch pads to a real drum kit.

UncleBob · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2007, 12:51:23 PM »

So I set up Rock Band today...

God, it sucks to set up. Of course, I have to set it up for display, which means everything has to be secured for both security and safety, but man, there's a lot of wires and connections to make (ours is set up with two guitars, one from our old GH2 360 display).

On the bright side, we didn't get one of those special demo units - we had to open up an actual retail set - so ours has the kickstand for the drums.

Ceric · « **Reply #22 on:** November 15, 2007, 02:21:09 PM »

I like to try it with the kick stand. Also from what I played I prefer the Rock Band guitar over the GH guitar.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2007, 03:59:03 PM »

*bump cause I got the game - edited 1st post*

UncleBob · « **Reply #24 on:** November 19, 2007, 01:09:43 AM »

Don't worry about the quality of the Guitar based on the broken display. People treat the displays like absolute crap. Trust me. I had to replace our GH2 360 Guitar four times between the time GH2 and GH3 came out.

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Author Topic: So I played RockBand today... (Read 8576 times)