Rock Band - Impressions...

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:33 pm

Teal wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:Is there any reason to keep RB1 after getting RB2?[/i]

If you really want to play 'Enter Sandman', 'Run to the Hills', and 'Paranoid'. Other than that, no.

Well, what I've been saying above also adds another reason. If you like selecting what songs you are going to try based on seeing how you did in the past by stars and difficulty level, I'd hold onto your RB1 disc. You can't do this at all easily in RB2.

I really hope this gets patched.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:04 pm

Peace Sells and I'm Buying.

I couldn't resist buying my first full album for Rockband yesterday.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:57 am

Just personal opinion, but there are way too many heavy metal songs in RB2. I guess they're trying to cater to the hardcore crowd as well, but man I can't stand these songs!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:34 am

sportdan30 wrote:Just personal opinion, but there are way too many heavy metal songs in RB2. I guess they're trying to cater to the hardcore crowd as well, but man I can't stand these songs!

When you look at the games' 75-song (from established bands) soundtrack these are the only bands I would consider metal.
Avenged Sevenfold
Disturbed
Dream Theater
Judas Priest
Lacuna Coil
Judas Priest
Mastadon
Megadeth
Metallica
Motorhead
Ratt
System of a Down
Testament

That's not even 20 percent. I actually think they did a great job of mixing up the genre's this time and love seeing more classic rock. To each his own though.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:51 am

I haven't gotten very far in RB2, but I find myself not enjoying many of the songs. Maybe I just have to get used to them, but the side effect of having such a great variety as RB2 does is that many of the songs you have to play you really won't like. In a game like GH2, their might not have been a great variety of styles, but I enjoyed nearly every song. I'll probably end up increasingly relying on DLC, or maybe the better songs/more to my taste are on the back-end.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:02 am

I'm just the opposite-I think they're are too few good metal songs, and way too many indie, emo-type, 'skateboardy' songs. And I personally hate those. I wish they'd make a game that categorized music into genres and decades, so if I wanted to play lots of hair metal, I could.

I'm loving 'Death Magnetic' on GHIII as a download, and am looking very much forward to GH: Metallica. I think World Tour will scratch my hard rock/metal itch more next month, too.

There's some really dumb s*** in RB2 that is awful, awful, awful for guitar playing.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:34 am

I don't mind some metal, but it just seems a lot of the songs I sampled last night on Itunes was more or less screaming in to the microphone. The GNR song is just horrific.

I browsed a little of the Rock Band forums and it seemed a lot of people were disappointed that the back end of the expert/impossible were heavy with the metal songs. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

I'm still planning on picking up RB2 next month because I believe the support for downloadeable music is better from HMX. Although I might wait to hear the reviews on the guitar and drum set with GHWT. GHWT is also now going to market a music subscription service which will then hopefully increase their download support.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:50 am

sportdan30 wrote:I don't mind some metal, but it just seems a lot of the songs I sampled last night on Itunes was more or less screaming in to the microphone. The GNR song is just horrific.

I browsed a little of the Rock Band forums and it seemed a lot of people were disappointed that the back end of the expert/impossible were heavy with the metal songs. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

I'm still planning on picking up RB2 next month because I believe the support for downloadeable music is better from HMX. Although I might wait to hear the reviews on the guitar and drum set with GHWT. GHWT is also now going to market a music subscription service which will then hopefully increase their download support.

Don't forget that if you don't yet have RB1, you can purchase RB 2 and get all but 3 RB1 songs for the price of $5 plus a rental (or free, if you borrow from a friend!

) That's a hell of a good way to break into the plastic instrument scene!!

Dan, do you have confirmation of the GHWT subscription model? I read that it was something that they were 'looking at,' but I didn't know it was a done deal. I'm not sure that a subscription service is better than RB's pick and choose deal, though. Sounds like you might be subscribing to songs you may not like...

As far as the song selections go, sure, everyone has different tastes. For me when I'm playing rock band, almost all of it comes down to the charts. I get far more enjoyment out of playing "Move Along" on drums than I get from listening to it, for instance. So I'm definitely in favor of trying most things out, even if I think I don't like the song genre. Some of the guys in it for hard guitar parts should really check out some of the Dead songs. You'd be surprised what you might find in there.

Anyway, I'm not a fan of screaming/roaring vocalist Metal myself, but ones where the vocalist can actually carry a tune are often some of my favorite tracks in the game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:35 pm

Agree Web with your opinon on the the tunes. You also make a very good point regarding listening to an actual song and then playing it using the guitar and/or drums. I recall not being enamored with some of the songs in an earlier version of Guitar Hero, but they did turn out to be quite fun to play. I am also very interested in the Dead songs, so I'm bound to check those out as well. And it's a no brainer to get the first RB on the cheap so I can more songs at my disposal. I really am looking forward to the "no fail" mode, which I imagine will be great for the kids....and perhaps me too.

Regarding the DLC for GHWT, you are also correct. It's more speculation than anything right now. Here's the quote:

"At Activision Blizzard's Analyst Day, CEO Mike Griffith spoke of plans to offer a subscription service option for the Guitar Hero games. "We're exploring new models, like an annual pass subscription where players can subscribe and get a certain number of songs downloadable each month." No prices or launch dates were discussed, but we are assuming those who regularly purchase DLC for the Guitar Hero games will be able to save a few bucks."

It does sound like it's a foregone conlcusion however. How they will implement will be interesting. It doesn't sound like they're going to force you automatically download a song you despise. However, I don't know if I want to be tied in to a monthly fee either.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:31 pm

Attention (patient) bargain shoppers!!

Rock Band 2 Wireless drums selling at deepdiscount.com for $69 with free shipping. Normal retail price is $90.

http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct ... d=48645663

I've already ordered mine, but I'm worried that it might get canceled. Upon checkout it says item is backordered, but more importantly the webpage says it's a $1 savings of a $70 price. After the deepdiscount error before for those dirt cheap games, this might be another mistake on their part, but it was worth a shot to save $20--just enough to push me over the edge and get the new drums.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:01 am

Big week for Rock Band DLC with the Rush pack finally emerging, plus some others.

http://kotaku.com/5052464/next-week-on- ... -this-time

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:12 pm

Can anyone give me a good review of the RB2 guitar? I'd be interested in some comparisons to the Gibson GH3 guitar.

Also, does anyone know if the 360 GH:WT peripherals will work with Rock Band 2? I'm thinking about picking up the WT full monty, but only if the stuff will also work with RB2.

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:45 pm

Guys, sorry if this is a dumb question, but can you use the RB1 guitar with any of the GH games?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:09 pm

TheGamer wrote:Guys, sorry if this is a dumb question, but can you use the RB1 guitar with any of the GH games?

When I tried it last year, the RB1 guitar didn't work in GH2 or GH3. I assume it's still the same unless Activision patched GH2 and 3 for compatibility (very doubtful).

PRBoom wrote:Also, does anyone know if the 360 GH:WT peripherals will work with Rock Band 2? I'm thinking about picking up the WT full monty, but only if the stuff will also work with RB2.

Good question. Very interested to hear the answers to that.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:51 pm

Naples39 wrote:
TheGamer wrote:Guys, sorry if this is a dumb question, but can you use the RB1 guitar with any of the GH games?
When I tried it last year, the RB1 guitar didn't work in GH2 or GH3. I assume it's still the same unless Activision patched GH2 and 3 for compatibility (very doubtful).

PRBoom wrote:Also, does anyone know if the 360 GH:WT peripherals will work with Rock Band 2? I'm thinking about picking up the WT full monty, but only if the stuff will also work with RB2.
Good question. Very interested to hear the answers to that.

Yes, the GH:WT peripherals will work with RB2 and vice versa

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:50 am

Not many of you guys are playing Battle of the Bands challenges in RB2, huh? I've done a handful, but it seems I'm only competing against one or two friends at a time, if that!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:04 am

webdanzer wrote:Not many of you guys are playing Battle of the Bands challenges in RB2, huh? I've done a handful, but it seems I'm only competing against one or two friends at a time, if that!

I'll try to get in on a few. I assume the competitions are divided by instrument and/or # of pieces playing? What are you competing on, drums or guitar? Both?

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:31 am

Naples39 wrote:
webdanzer wrote:Not many of you guys are playing Battle of the Bands challenges in RB2, huh? I've done a handful, but it seems I'm only competing against one or two friends at a time, if that!
I'll try to get in on a few. I assume the competitions are divided by instrument and/or # of pieces playing? What are you competing on, drums or guitar? Both?

Just did my first one last night. Looking forward to many, many more. I love the new online and band options in this version.

I am curious on exatly how these Battle of the Bands challenges work though...

If my band is doing a challenge on drums and guitar, does it put me up against others with the same combo or can I be challenging other bands that were vocals and bass, or all four instruments, etc...!?!?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:44 am

I would think it has to separate by instrument. Different instruments can get completely different scores. It's only fair that if you go 2p guitar+drums you are competing against other 2p guitar+drums bands.

Maybe Web can confirm.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:46 am

Naples39 wrote: I'll try to get in on a few. I assume the competitions are divided by instrument and/or # of pieces playing? What are you competing on, drums or guitar? Both?

Spooky wrote: I am curious on exatly how these Battle of the Bands challenges work though...

If my band is doing a challenge on drums and guitar, does it put me up against others with the same combo or can I be challenging other bands that were vocals and bass, or all four instruments, etc...!?!?

I've been doing some on both drums and guitar, but all with a single band member (so far). Some challenges are limited (By band members, instrument, etc) but some are wide open. Challenges that are rated by points don't give single players a chance, really, against bigger bands, but I think those rated by stars would be more competitive.

Some challenges are open to any or all combos, too, Spooky. One challenge might see my score on drums against Naples on Guitar against you with a Guitar and Vocalist!

Each challenge has it's own rules listed, but they are easy enough to see. I'll probably tackle a lot of them except for ones that allow mult band members and judge by score, vocals only, and any with really long set lists...

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:50 am

Naples39 wrote:I would think it has to separate by instrument. Different instruments can get completely different scores. It's only fair that if you go 2p guitar+drums you are competing against other 2p guitar+drums bands.

Maybe Web can confirm.

Sometimes different instruments head to head is allowed, Naples. In those cases, yes, some instruments and bigger bands will have a distinct advantage.

But the challenges can also be judged by comparing STAR LEVELS, which can level the playing field somewhat. (Although it is quite conceivable that a song fight be easier to five star on guitar rather than drums, or vice versa.)

Anyway, I'm not going to obsess over these or anything, probably only trying each a couple of times (and sometimes with kids draped over my shoulders

) but they are not nearly as fun when I'm not chasing a score from someone on my friend's list!

btmmayor · Post by **btmmayor** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:05 am

webdanzer wrote:Not many of you guys are playing Battle of the Bands challenges in RB2, huh? I've done a handful, but it seems I'm only competing against one or two friends at a time, if that!

My wife insisted we do the 80's Rock Off challenge about 10 times the other night. Outside of Zuma, I've never seen her gun for a high score like that before.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:41 pm

Boom Theory will be picking up on the challenges here in the near future. I never played the first one so I've been engulfed by the Tour Mode. Pure crack!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:52 pm

October 18th can't get here soon enough for this RB virgin......

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:28 pm

I saw this posted on CAG last week and signed up for it and just got an email today with a winning code, they are giving away 1000 tracks a day until October 15th.

http://stridelovesrockband.com/