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Be Your Own 'Rock Band'

Harmonix's new game allows Guitar Hero-style play for every rock instrument

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2007 4:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – The immensely popular Guitar Hero "rhythm game" franchise has a new competitor: MTV Games/Harmonix's Rock Band. The game ups the ante on the Guitar Hero concept by moving beyond guitars: a microphone and drumset controllers, along with guitar, are included in the game's $170 pricetag so that in multiplayer, users can put every part of a song together, Ars Technica reports.

The reviewer loves the multiplayer "World Tour Mode," as the challenge of everyone playing their individual instruments together builds to a feeling of genuine accomplishment and an increased virtual fanbase. Although the single player drum mode is challenging and satisfying, guitar mode single player is apparently not only very similar to Guitar Hero 3 but somewhat more dull.

This image from the video game Rock Band was provided by publisher EA Games. Rock Band, developed by Guitar Hero studio Harmonix, leads the parade of music-based video games this fall. (AP Photo/EA Games)
This image from the video game "Rock Band" was provided by publisher EA Games. "Rock Band," developed by "Guitar Hero" studio Harmonix, leads the parade of music-based video games this fall. (AP Photo/EA...   (Associated Press)
A screen shot from the game Rock Band by MTV Games/Harmonix.
A screen shot from the game "Rock Band" by MTV Games/Harmonix.   (Harmonix)
The virtual drum kit used for playing Rock Band.
The virtual drum kit used for playing "Rock Band."   (Harmonix)
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A list of all the songs you can play in "Rock Band"
Ars Technica

"Rock Band" expands the rock game genre
Boston Herald

The game is "more than rock and roll"
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)

 
MTV • Guitar Hero • Guitar Hero III • Rock Band • video games

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