The Rock show must go on. Years after pushing the genre forward with the original Rock Band (which introduced a new multiplayer component along with a plethora of real tracks compared to lame cover ones), Harmonix is at it yet again with its third iteration, Rock Band 3. Now, before you go thinking this is just another minor evolution along the same lines as Rock Band 2, take note. There are so many improvements in the third game that you may just lose count. For instance, the introduction of Pro instrument modes is a huge leap forward. Not only will you have fun playing your fake guitars and drums, but you’ll actually – God forbid – learn a thing or two. By playing with the plus-priced Pro Drums, Pro Guitar (which goes for around $150) and the new keyboard (which we’ll get to in a moment), you’ll be able to catapult your performance beyond the five-layer grid and learn a thing or two about the challenges of music. That doesn’t mean you’ll strut over to a real guitar and instantly become Esteban, but you’ll get a better idea of the complexities behind making music. And the smooth learning curve makes it even more enjoyable to progress.
Now, back to that keyboard. Along with the usual vocal, guitar, bass and drum positions, you have the option of snagging a 25-key peripheral to use for certain songs. Right now, it doesn’t serve too much of a benefit, as many older songs don’t have support for it yet. However, with the selections already available, you’ll have a ball playing to hits by The Doors, Whitesnake, and any other given track with a synthesizer blaring in the background. And with more DLC with piano in mind (like Billy Joel), it’ll open up a whole new dimension of how to play the game. The keyboard peripheral itself handles very well, and you can buy it either separately or bundled with a copy of Rock Band 3. Either way, you’ll want to get keyed up. As for the game itself, it’s overflowing with content. Along with the usual Quick Play and online hook-up options (where you create a diverse band in a matter of minutes), there are several Road Challenges for your band to overcome, including stops with random set-lists and certain goals to complete. These range from stringing together as many notes as possible to activating Overdrive as often as you can. Doing so earns you rewards, such as gear for your band and, of course, those coveted Achievements.
While most of the create-a-band options are the same, taking them through their paces is a huge chunk of Rock Band 3’s amusement. Seeing as how Harmonix did such a good job with last year’s presentation on The Beatles Rock Band, Rock Band 3 manages to keep up the pace. The character models are much cleaner than in Rock Band 2, as are the venues and the crowds. Some still perform repeat actions (or look like they’re in sync for a dance competition), but overall it really appears as if you’re soaking in a club atmosphere. The note grid is incredible easy to read, even when you’ve got so many cramped on screen in multiplayer sessions. And the smaller things are paid attention to as well, including the glow of light that comes from activating Overdrive and the helpful menu interface that stays out of your way until you need it the most. The revamped song list is also much easier to navigate as well, sorting out all of your favorites in a matter of seconds. (You can chain together your own and save them for later play as well – time to put together that dream Jimmy Buffett list.) As for the songs themselves, there are 83 mostly impressive tracks here. We haven’t run into a dud yet.
It was a pleasure playing along to the Flaming Lips again and we were thrilled to wail through Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” even with the absence of Tawny Kitaen. Queen, Def Leppard (an original studio track this time!), Lynyrd Skynyrd and more are also involved, along with new artists like Them Crooked Vultures and Mana. Additional songs are also available, with Green Day Rock Band, AC/DC Rock Band and Rock Band/Rock Band 2 songs ready to export – for a small fee, of course. Not all the songs make it (did Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” need to be sacrificed?!) but overall you still get your money’s worth here. And more’s on the way, including John Lennon’s entire “Imagine” album and Bon Jovi’s greatest hits. That’s right, we’ll all be singing “Bad Medicine” soon enough. Rock Band 3 does so many things right for a music/rhythm game that it’ll be hard to go back to any of its competitors after you play. (Believe us, we’ve tried with Power Gig.) The fundamental multiplayer features and huge single-player challenges will keep you busy whether you’re with friends or alone, the presentation is greatly improved, and the set list amazes us, with songs scattered between the 60’s and today. And this Rock show is just getting started. Can’t wait for the encore.
