Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that even though there are some mildly offensive lyrics, this game is appropriate for players 10 and older (despite the "Teen" rating). Some songs have the words bleeped out, such as Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" ("I got this f--king thorn in my side") while other lyrics are kept as-is, such as The Hives' "Main Offender" ("I'm stuck in ways of being an ass"). This game is best for social settings since players get different instruments to play. It can also be played online, which Common Sense Media doesn't recommend for anyone under age 12.
Families can talk about how the savvy developer, Harmonix, built on a popular concept -- Guitar Hero -- and expanded on it ambitiously by adding drums, bass, and vocals, too. What does this game teach you about being in a rock band? Does it seem easy or do you have a new appreciation for the work that goes into becoming a really good rock band? Since the Special Edition Bundle comes with a drum controller, did the game give you a sense of what it's like to play the drums?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Marc Saltzman
ROCK BAND, the eagerly anticipated music game, lets you live out your dream -- virtually -- as you play guitar, bass, and drums and sing your way to stardom.
From Harmonix, the savvy game developers behind the mega-popular Guitar Hero games, comes this ambitious complete band experience, which is best enjoyed with a group of friends -- each tackling a different instrument in front of the same television, or even over the Internet.
While at $169.99 it might be out of reach for some Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3 gamers, packed into this Rock Band Special Edition Bundle is the game, a collapsible drum kit (featuring four tom tom pads and a kick pedal), real drumsticks, a Fender Stratocaster guitar (which can also be used to play bass lines), microphone, and four-in-one USB hub to plug everything into the game console at the same time. If you already own a Guitar Hero guitar and don't want to play any other instruments, you can opt for the stand-alone game at $59.99.
Similar to the Guitar Hero games, players form a band and work their way up from rags to riches by pleasing fans and racking up points, and then unlocking bigger and bigger venues. In front of the animated band performing on stage is a kind of giant guitar fret board with a camera that sails down it as the song plays to show players which notes/drums to hit at certain points in the song. Color-coded buttons on the guitar neck and drum pads must be hit at the correct time, while the singer must follow the karaoke-style lyrics to hit the right note at the right time, for the proper length of that note. It sounds difficult, and for new or younger players it is, but there is a practice mode and multiple levels of difficulty. (Arguably, the drums are the most challenging to master, but once you get into the rhythm you won't let your band mates down.)
Play well and the virtual crowd cheers you on, but fumble too many times and you might just get booed offstage. However, the game provides a way for band mates to save each other when they are struggling in a song.
The music soundtrack in Rock Band is extraordinary, featuring nearly 60 classic and newer rock songs, mostly from the original bands (unlike many Guitar Hero songs, which are remakes by sound-alike artists). Highlights include The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," David Bowie's "Suffragette City," Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop," Nirvana's "In Bloom," and Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive."
Adding to its replayability, new songs can be downloaded each week for a couple bucks apiece. These include classics from The Who, Grateful Dead, and Metallica, including a handful of full albums.
You can go with the pre-built musicians or use the integrated tools to create your own by selecting from hundreds of options for body shape, face, hair, clothes, tattoos, and signature moves for both genders.
Rock Band is the ultimate party game, best enjoyed with a group of friends looking for a great time together. While it might take a few songs to get the hang of the rhythm for newbie players, it's one of the most accessible and enjoyable games in recent memory, for all ages. Music fans, run -- don't walk -- to pick up Rock Band today.
Another recommended game of this kind is Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. For music games on the DS, try Elite Beat Agents and Hannah Montana: Music Jam. And for the Wii, check out High School Musical: Sing It!.
Platform Notes
Nintendo Wii
Released on June 20, 2008, the Wii version features five extra bonus tracks exclusive for the Wii rockers. In all there are over 60 songs to play.
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Sexual ContentSome suggestive lyrics, such as "You know she was a dancer...she moved better on wine" (Mountain's "Mississippi Queen"). |
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LanguageA few bleeped out lyrics such as "You're so f--king special" (Radiohead's "Creep") and words like "ass" and "damn." |
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Social BehaviorThis is a great game to play with friends because you become part of a rock band. If one player is struggling in a song, the other players can bail him out. |
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CommercialismPartners include musical instrument companies like Fender and Ludwig. |
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Educational ValueYou can learn what goes into a song composition. |
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