Dedicated Rock Band fans will have gone through the shocking realisation a while ago. The songs they grew up with - their favourite tunes of all time - might not be as much fun to play on a plastic instrument as the power-ballads and rock 'n' roll anthems of this world.
That's very much the case with Beatles Rock Band. These are some of the finest tracks ever put onto disc, but they're not the kind that kick off a party - which is what Rock Band has always done best.
The Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:37A gameplay clip that makes us want it more than ever
The Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:37A gameplay clip that makes us want it more than ever
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The Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:37A gameplay clip that makes us want it more than ever
The first thing you'll notice when you load up Beatles: Rock Band is the superb intro. Starting with a vista of Liverpool, the camera swan-dives into the Cavern club before filling the screen with Beatles-inspired, acid trip visuals. This is Beatlemania alright.
By the time the logo slides up the screen you'll either be tightening your strap so the body of your guitar is raised into your armpit, 60's style, or sitting on your drum-stool, bouncing your foot in syncopated rhythms. The stylised menus, even the sound you hear when you make a selection - all pure, unadulterated Beatles. Unreleased, remastered studio banter from the Fab Four in the loading screens? Check. John yelling when you fail? Check. If you're a Beatles fan, by the time you play your first note you'll be as giddy as a 16 year old girl at her first gig.
Paperback fodder The Story Mode has you playing the sets from The Beatles' humble beginnings in the Cavern Club (compete with a few screaming girls), to the Ed Sullivan show (with loads of fainting, screaming girls) before ending in the infamous Saville row rooftop gig (with bobbies on screaming fan patrol). Each chapter is introduced with another one of those amazing cut-scenes and, just like the intro, they're flawless. Less trippy but still fascinating, incorporating photos, sound clips and art from each era of the Fab Four's career.
Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:36The crazy cinematic intro
Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:36The crazy cinematic intro
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And there's more. Even though you won't be unlocking tracks as you progress (all 45 are available from the start), there's still plenty of unlockables to keep you motivated. You get art, photos, video footage and even unreleased audio tracks. Our highlight? A personal message from The Beatles that was sent out to the fan club as a Christmas present.
There's the specific venue challenges for the Trophy whores, a drum training mode dedicated to Ringo's beats (which we rate by the way, especially his later work) and the vocal trainer. That means if you take it really seriously, you can grab a mic and fine-tune your vocals. Alone.
So, if you're a fan of both The Beatles and Rock Band you need to pick this up. And that's the problem. This is a well crafted, but ultimately, niche title. Well, niche sounds harsh - lots of these tracks have been proclaimed some of the best of all time, and - although you might not realise it yet - the majority of The Beatles' lyrics are already stuck somewhere in your head. Sadly, these won't be the first songs you unleash at your next Rock Band party if you own another game in the series.
Get tracks In terms of how this plays, it's the same Rock Band interface we know and love - you'll be strumming or tapping on your peripheral of choice in time to descending beats, but this time you get to harmonise with whoever's on vocals by using a spare mic or headset - a fitting addition. There's a trade off though; the improvised drum fills are out - you don't mess with the masters supposedly.
There's loads of fantastic music on the disk, and the vast majority of the tunes succeed in creating a pleasing vibe if you manage to gather together three band members but, despite the genius, there's only so much Beatles you can take in one session. And, although the vast majority of the big hitters are present, there are some noticeable omissions; we were sad when we realised Good Day Sunshine and Hey Jude weren't present. Don't worry if you have plenty of money to spend though - every single Beatles album is getting released, starting with Abbey Road on release day. We're excited about a future White Album marathon (the pricing isn't yet confirmed).
Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:15Gameplay clip number two
Beatles: Rock Band
Official trailer
2:15Gameplay clip number two
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Beatles: Rock Band has done a miraculous job of creating a modern homage to a group who were originally performing 50 years ago. It manages to surpass the admirable attempts made by Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Metallica (let's try and forget Rock Band: AC/DC - that sucked). The result is a game that's as informative as the best of documentaries and right up there with the best party games available on console.
That's assuming the people in your party like The Beatles of course. Despite the sheen, authenticity, and seminal extras, Rock Band 2 can still hold its head high as the most instantly gratifying and universal game in the series.
Que the people saying 'Never liked them' and obviously lying to sound cool. The point of the Beatles is that everybody does like them, they are the standard when it come to modern music.
Anyway, this is going to be great. I also like the fact that they havn't tried to artificially tried to up the difficulty as that is not what they were about, musicality over fret wanking.
Too many gaps in the set list my opinion. How they have left out Hey Jude, Help and Let It Be is criminal.
I know that video games are big business, but I hate the way you are forced to pay again to get all of the content that could reasonably have been expected in the first place.
Can't seen this being very appealing to the 18-30 age bracket. Don't they buy most games. Seems an odd business decision to me. My parents, who loved the Beatles, don't even know what a console looks like.
Can't seen this being very appealing to the 18-30 age bracket.
I see where you're coming from but you'd be surprised at how many younger people like the beatles (well people who I know anyway) but I can't see your average 10 yr old wanting to pick it up. I can't wait to go out and pick up my copy of it though
Too many gaps in the set list my opinion. How they have left out Hey Jude, Help and Let It Be is criminal.
I know that video games are big business, but I hate the way you are forced to pay again to get all of the content that could reasonably have been expected in the first place.
Thats a bloody cheek. Especially considering they're probably 2 of thier most famous tracks.
makes you wonder what else is conveniently missing then.
Twist And Shout Boys Do You Want To Know A Secret I Saw Her Standing There I Want To Hold Your Hand Can't Buy Me Love A Hard Day's Night I Wanna Be Your Man Ticket to Ride I'm Looking Through You Eight Days A Week If I Needed Someone I Feel Fine Day Tripper And Your Bird Can Sing Drive My Car Taxman Paperback Writer Yellow Submarine Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band With A Little Help From My Friends Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Getting Better Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows Good Morning Good Morning I Am The Walrus Hello Goodbye Hey Bulldog Back In The U.S.S.R. Dear Prudence While My Guitar Gently Weeps Helter Skelter Revolution Birthday Octopus's Garden Something Come Together Here Comes The Sun Dig a Pony I've Got A Feeling Don't Let Me Down I Me Mine I Want You (She's So Heavy) Get Back The End
They're releasing a few DLC albums like Sgt Pepper's and The White album, one every month or 2 as well so that should cover most of the tracks people think are missing.
I must say I'm disappointed they used the Tomorrow Never Knows/ Within Without You mix and not the pure Tomorrow Never Knows. Ringo's drumbeat in that song is unbeatable.
Que the people saying 'Never liked them' and obviously lying to sound cool. The point of the Beatles is that everybody does like them, they are the standard when it come to modern music.
Anyway, this is going to be great. I also like the fact that they havn't tried to artificially tried to up the difficulty as that is not what they were about, musicality over fret wanking.
Again, can't wait.
As someone raised on Reggae & Soul music, I can truly say without trying to be cool, that I've never liked them!
They do have a few songs I like, but definitely not a group I'd choose to listen to.
I don't mind a bit of Beatles, but so many of their songs follow a standard I-IV-V progression that I can't listen to them for long without feeling like I'm hearing the same songs over and over.
They're also too "nice". I would definitely have been a Stones guy back in the day
Que the people saying 'Never liked them' and obviously lying to sound cool. The point of the Beatles is that everybody does like them
What a load of rubbish. How does saying you don't like The Beatles make you sound cool? And why would people lie about liking them? Maybe some of us just genuinely don't like their music. I have no problem admitting I've never liked The Beatles, and I see no reason to pretend otherwise just because everybody in the world is supposed to like them.
played this last night with a mate, both on guitar and on singing duties. as we'd already drank a few through the england game we thought we sounded awesome! anyway, fantastic game allround and i particularly like having more than one singer for the harmonies. presentation is nigh on flawless as well.
Surely the whole point of releasing this game is to push the sales of the re-release of the Beatles back catalog on CD? Or is it vice-versa? Whatever music/bands your into this is gonna sell loads. Pity that most of the songs only last about 2.30-3 minutes so it's going to be a pretty short experience. Now if they did a Pink Floyd Rock band now that would be cool.
As somebody who was 20 in 1967, I could wax lyrical for hours about how wonderful the Beatles music is and was. What I find amazing is that my kids like it! When I was their age, I wouldn't be seen dead saying nice things about my Dad's music!
Que the people saying 'Never liked them' and obviously lying to sound cool. The point of the Beatles is that everybody does like them
What a load of rubbish. How does saying you don't like The Beatles make you sound cool? And why would people lie about liking them? Maybe some of us just genuinely don't like their music. I have no problem admitting I've never liked The Beatles, and I see no reason to pretend otherwise just because everybody in the world is supposed to like them.
With you on this one I cannot stand the beatles every time I hear one of there songs I have to get away from it they make my blood boil because they are just so crap and old fashioned.
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