My sister, a non-gamer has a new addiction! It’s called Rock Band and Xbox 360™. She is always the singer, with my niece being a flawless drummer. I always take up the guitar. My sister notes that she has difficulty (as she has a higher voice) hitting the low tones. However, she has no trouble howling. Our neighbors must think we are
crazy. My niece, Lisa is showing true drumming potential! My only complaint is that I wish that I could play a Les Paul or Gibson instead of a Fender. The audio also sometimes seems inconsistent.
My opinion of Rock Band is summed up by what my sister has to say about it. It is a great way to unite the family on a boring winter evening and give them something fun to do!
You may inquire, “What is Rock Band 2?”
Accoring to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2): The game allows players to perform in virtual bands by providing up to four players with the ability to play three different peripherals modeled after music instruments (a guitar peripheral for lead guitar and bass guitar gameplay, a drum peripheral, and a microphone). These peripherals are used to simulate the playing of rock music by hitting scrolling notes on-screen. In addition to the 84 songs included on the game disc and 20 free downloadable songs, hundreds of additional downloadable songs are being released for the Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 versions; all of these songs, existing and future, are compatible with all Rock Band titles. Rock Band 2 features improved drum and guitar controllers, while supporting older controllers,as well. New features include a “Drum Trainer” mode, a “Battle of the Bands” mode,online capabilities for “World Tour” mode, and merchandising opportunities for the players’ virtual bands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2
CUSTOMIZATION (WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2):
In Quickplay modes, players can assemble variable-length custom setlists, allowing multiple songs to be played in sequence without returning to the song selection menu in between each song.Like the original, Rock Band, players can create and customize their own in-game character, complete with adjustable hair, body physique, clothing,tattoos, piercings, onstage movements, and instruments. Using cash earned within the game, the player may purchase items at the in-game “Rock Shop,” with which they can customize their rock star. The game features an art maker where players can combine
different clip art elements to create custom face paint, tattoos, clothing designs,instrument artwork, and band logos. The same character will be usable to play any of the instruments in the game, unlike in Rock Band where a character was fixed to one specific instrument.Players’ characters created in the first Rock Band will not be able to be transferred to Rock Band 2, although all of the clothing and accessories from Rock Band are present in Rock Band 2. Through the game’s updated website on October 6, 2008, players are able to interact with their virtual characters and band. Using the website’s “Merch Booth”, users can simulate a photo shoot by posing their characters, choosing a backdrop, and applying visual effects. Any pictures taken can be used to order custom merchandise, including t-shirts, posters,keychains, and stickers. Additionally, the Merch Booth allows users to purchase figurines modeled after their characters.The six-inch-tall figurines are created by the Z Corporation using 3D printing techniques, and will cost $70.
TOUR MODE (WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2)
Unlike Rock Band, which segregated the single-player Solo Tour mode and the multiplayer Band World Tour mode, Rock Band 2 features a single “Tour” mode that makes no distinction of the number of players. Any combination of 1–4 players, both online and local, can create a band composed of the player(s)’ virtual characters. A band leader is no longer necessary, allowing the characters within the band lineup to change at will, as well as swap instruments. The band must also select a name and hometown before proceeding to their “practice space”. From here, the band can choose to “Start Tour”, undertake “Tour Challenges”, or compete with other bands in “Battle
of the Bands.” If the band chooses to “Start Tour”, they will enter the game’s equivalent of the original Rock Band’s Band World Tour mode, allowing the band to play gigs and tour a virtual representation of the world. Once setup is complete, the band can begin playing concerts in small venues in their hometown until they unlock vans, tour buses and private jets, which unlock more cities and different continents. Unlocking and completing new gigs unlocks additional songs for play across all game modes. Successful performances also earn the band fans, stars, and in-game cash. Most cities and larger venues require the band to achieve a certain number of fans and stars before they are unlocked. The band must complete unique sets of activities at each venue. Performances consist of single songs, multiple song sets, “make your own” setlists, and mystery setlists. For certain performances, bands are faced with an optional challenge that requires the band to average a certain number of stars for their gig in order to reap the rewards. Bands can also hire personnel, including band managers, roadies, and sound guys. The second option from the band’s “practice space” is “Tour Challenge”, which is a set of non-linear challenges. Some of these challenges include completing certain band-specific setlists, sets of songs that are difficult on a particular instrument,or songs all with a common theme. New downloadable songs will be integrated into this mode, allowing the creation of new challenges. Players can save their progress through these setlists and complete them at a later time. Newly purchased songs that will extend the length of a Tour Challenge setlist will also need to be completed in order for the challenge to be completed.
The final option from the band’s “practice space” is “Battle of the Bands”, only available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions of the game. This mode allows the band to virtually compete against other bands via online scoreboard tracking. This mode is composed of limited-time online tournaments created by Harmonix, with approximately five to ten challenges available any time. Challenges may be made up of one or more songs, and may be geared to one instrument or a full band. The songs will not be limited to those on the Rock Band 2 disc and will include ones that use songs off the Rock Band disc and downloaded content; it is expected that challenges centered around downloadable albums will also be made available. Challenges may also provide special rules, such as turning on the “no
fail” mode for a difficult guitar song, or completing a song without activating “Overdrive”. While playing the challenge, the band will see the score of the next highest band from the online leaderboard, as well as a “tug of war” meter to show how close they are to the score. If a band’s score is surpassed, they will be notified the next time they are online. Challenges participated in and the corresponding scores will be tracked as part of the band’s history, with this information also being made available through the game’s website. Unlike the original Rock Band, players can designate custom characters as “stand-in musicians” for their band members, which will be available to place in the position of the default musicians created by Harmonix.
OTHER MODES (WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2)
Also included in Rock Band 2 is a “Training” mode, which will help players learn how to play each instrument. Within this mode is the “Drum Trainer”, which will help players improve on the drums through a “Beat Trainer” (with dozens of drum beats to practice), “Fill Trainer” (which will teach players how to perform better drum fills), and a “Freestyle Mode” (which will allow player to freeplay the drums, or play over MP3 songs on their Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 console).The “Extras” menu of the game allows “modifiers” to be activated; some of these include “No Fail Mode,”which will allow playing through songs without anyone being able to fail, and a
“Breakneck Speed” mode, similar to the Hyperspeed code in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock which doubles the track’s scrolling speed.The “Score Duel”, “Tug of War”,”Quickplay”, and “Tutorial” modes from the original Rock Band are also retained.
INSTRUMENT PERIPHERALS (WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_2)
Four people play on the Rock Band 2 stage at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington, August 29, 2008. All of the original Rock Band peripherals are compatible with Rock Band 2 for the same console. Similarly, the newly designed peripherals for Rock Band 2 are backwards compatible with the original Rock Band. The game features special Rock Band 2-branded guitar controllers modeled after the Fender Stratocaster. The guitar is nearly identical to the original Rock Band Stratocaster in terms of gameplay. The Stratocaster controller has five additional fret buttons of smaller size located lower down the guitar neck, allowing for notes to be played as finger tapping during solos. The controller also features an effects pickup switch that can toggle between five different effects. Overdrive for guitarists can be deployed by holding the controller in a vertical position or pressing the “Select/Back” button. Improvements to the new guitar include a more reliable strum bar and Overdrive accelerometer, a self-timing calibration, and quieter fret buttons. The bass drum pedal from the drum set can also be used with the guitar to activate Overdrive mode.The bundled drum controller is also similar to the one featured in the original Rock Band. It features four rubber drum pads and a kick pedal. The pads have colored rings around the edges that correspond to the notes on-screen. The kick pedal simulates the bass drum, with on-screen notes represented as orange horizontal lines. To use the drum controller, players must strike the pads with the included authentic drum sticks and/or press the kick pedal in time with the scrolling notes on-screen. Drummers can improvise in special “freestyle drum fill” sections of songs, indicated by the columns for each note turning a solid color. Overdrive for drummers can be deployed by hitting the crash cymbal (green note for right-handed configuration) that appears directly after a freestyle drum fill. New improvements
include velocity-sensitive drum pads (the force of the drum hits will dictate the in-game volume) with more rebound and less noise,[19] a metal-reinforced kick pedal,expansion plugs for separately-sold cymbals manufactured by Mad Catz,and wireless capabilities.
Rock Band 2’s USB microphone instrument is identical to the microphone from the original game. Singers are judged by pitch, or during “talking parts”, their ability to enunciate spoken vocals. The phoneme detection system used for atonal vocal parts has been completely replaced with a new, more lenient engine, and songs imported from Rock Band and pre-existing downloadable content will be converted to use the new phoneme system. Some sections without vocals will display circle notes, allowing for the microphone to be used as a tambourine and cowbell by tapping it or making vocal cues. Overdrive for singers can be deployed by singing in freestyle vocal sections of songs, denoted by yellow artwork in the background of the vocalsinterface.
Harmonix and MTV Games will also be providing limited edition instruments, including an authentic Fender Squire Stratocaster guitar and Precision Bass retrofitted with the game’s input controls by Mad Catz. Additionally, Ion Audio is selling a “Premium Drum Kit” that not only works within Rock Band 2, but can also be expanded into an
authentic electronic drum kit through the purchase of a separately-sold drum brain. The “Premium Drum Kit” features four drum pads, two cymbal pads (with the option of a third), and a bass pedal.
The Rock Band 2 peripherals and Guitar Hero Wold Tour peripherals will be cross-compatible with their respective games for the same console.Microsoft has also stated that instruments on the Xbox 360 will be compatible between the two games, as well as Rock Revolution. The Wii version of Rock Band 2 will be able to use guitars from Guitar Hero III, though it is yet unknown if the instruments from Guitar Hero World Tour will be compatible.
We have Rock Band 1, Rock Band 2 and have recently picked up AC/DC.
Trivia about Rock Band 2:
• It is the first and only game to feature AC/DC: Let There Be Rock.
• It is also the first game to feature the music of Bob Dylan: Tangled Up in Blue.
• Rock Band 2 has retroactive compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable musiccontent released to date.
• If you have Rock Band 1, you have the unprecendented ability to export most of the Rock Band tracks and upgrade to Rock Band 2 gameplay.
• Expect the Rock Band music library to expand to over 500 by the end of the year!
• Most (if not all) tracks are master recordings.
The Rock Band online Music Store recently surpassed 16 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. I find it further interesting that Guitar Hero has responded by plastering their ads all over the place, even on KFC dinners and Apple Jacks cereal!
With more than 200 tracks available to date on disc and via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List from Harmonix:
Artist Song Title Decade
1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s
