THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND

First off, I wanted to address the new format for my reviews. I want my reviews to me a lot more conversational. I felt the format and presentation of the old reviews is stiff and uninviting. So I'm changing it up a bit. I'll still cover the good stuff, like gameplay and graphics. But the entire thing will be a lot more cohesive. Instead of categories I am going to condense it into a much better and more conversational post. I'll still keep my creed of not giving a game a letter grade, but I am going to give a verdict based upon my experience. Finally, I am going to do note something truly unique about the game, called "Something You May Have Missed". I hope this review form serves my purposes better, and makes the entire understanding of games from my p.o.v. a lot more helpful. so without further ado, here is the review for THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND.

THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND is definitely unique. Let's face it: there are too many music games out there today. Too many games that ask you to play a cheap plastic guitar or drumset and immitate a band. It gets old after a while. So many games really give the entire genre a generic feel: buy another game, play another 300 songs. Buy another game, play yet another 300 songs. Out of those 300 songs, the average person will probably only really enjoy about half of the songs. THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND is an entirely different experience. It changes all that a person may know about music games. It brings the innovation, quality, and entertainment that is needed for a dilapidated genre of video game. Only a band as legendary as The Beatles could have done this, and do it well.

The greatness comes in the devotion to staying true to The Beatles. Developers promised that they would NOT give the ability to customize the Beatles. They would NOT have World Tour. They would NOT have multiple bands. The old Rock Band songs could NOT be played in the game. Instead, every single aspect of the game would be made as a tribute and true representation to the greatest band of all time. The characters of John, Paul, George and Ringo would be created authentically. Each model was created to look exactly like the actual musician. The models aren't cartoony to make it unrealistic, but they aren't photorealistic to make it look creepy. They have just the right balance to show the real Beatles. Harmonix dedicated their singleplayer to keeping the great Rock Band gameplay but applying it to the Beatles story. This is done by a complete walkthrough of the career of the Beatles, starting from the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England to their eventual last performance on the top of Apple Corp.. The first time anyone plays "Twist and Shout" at the Cavern Club, they will see the dedication of Harmonix. The club is an authentic representation of the actual venue. The crowd is the typical screaming Beatles fans. The Beatles themselves look great, and they are dressed exactly like they were in 1963. There instruments are the same. Start playing, and you realize that the Beatles move like they are supposed to: they jive, dance, and react like the real Beatles did.

Harmonix did a great job with authenticity, hands down. Every aspect makes this game the definitive adaption of the Beatles. It makes sense, too. During the production process, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison were all brought in numerous times. The developers showed the progress, and if something didn't look right or wasn't authentic, they changed it. If Paul said his on screen character was moving too much, they make the character move less. In a way, the surviving Beatles and spouses were developers. Every venue recreated is authentic and unique as they were in the 1960's. Shea Stadium has all those screaming girls, some of which get tackled by policemen (an event which actually happened). Budokan Stadium has the trendy "THE BEATLES" sign in the background. But the Beatles quit there touring soon after. Harmonix addressed this by putting the band in Abbey Road studios and creating dreamscapes. These scenes would occur when the band began to play a song. Imaginative scenarios and colors dance upon the screen. Every song in Abbey Road has one of these, and they are the true definition of "groovy". Continuing with oversight by Paul and Ringo, the developers made a dreamscape for every song that would reflect its meaning and what the Beatles were thinking during its writing. From the amazing colors in "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to the base blur effects in "Come Together" and the underwater getaway in "Yellow Submarine", every dreamscape in an escape into the lyrics and the thoughts of the Beatles. They, more than anything else, immerse the player into the Beatles' songs, not just by playing them, but by showing them. Not many forms of media can show lyrics.

Don't worry, it is still a Rock Band game. There is still the five notes on the screen that go down in a rhythmic way. Harmonix wanted to add the Beatles flare here, too. Instead of focusing just on rhythm, the notes are organized in a way where the hands movements of the guitar mirror the movements of a real guitar. The chord changes in "Good Morning, Good Morning" and the solo in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" mimic the hand shifts and finger positions that are used to play them on a real guitar. This is the same for bass and drums. I can't say how often I felt like George Harrison, expecially when I knew my hand and arm was moving with the notes like George on the screen. Harmonix also included a robust vocal harmonization system. After all, the Beatles harmonized like no other, and Harmonix didn't want to keep that out. Up to 3 mics can be attached, and the lyrics are divided amongst the three. One for Paul, one for George, and one for John. This way, the player can experience the awesome harmonization of songs like "Yellow Submarine" and "Hey, Bulldog!". Of course though, if players don't have 2 other friends or just want to sing the lyrics, they can. The game rewards for correct harmonization, but it never punishes, which created quite the rewarding experience. With a setlist of 45 of some of the best Beatles songs, and downloadable content in the form of full album on their way, The robust catalogue of the Beatles is being utilized to the fullest.

But THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND really shines in multiplayer. I have never had so much fun as I have had with friends playing this game. It is fun to be the Beatles. Harmonix created the ultimate atom bomb of fun with this game. They took the party appeal of Rock Band and the immersiveness and awesomeness of the Beatles and morphed them into the most immersive, rewarding, and quality multiplayer music game. No one sits out in a session of this game. With the harmonizing option for vocals, three people can now sing. This brings more people into the actual game, and just gets parties started. Songs like "Day Tripper" are just meant to be played with friends. People just seem to get into the game and the music. I have a friend that never was much of a Beatles fan. After he had played the game for about an hour, he was in love with the game. Not only that, but he had found a liking to the Beatles. How many games can not only create fun, but create fans? Not many. Multiplayer in this game is where it shines, and whether you like to play drums or sing, you will have a good time.

Harmonix put tons of goodies into this game. Hundreds of photos, some of which have never been seen can be unlocked in the game. The pictures also give some great insightful trivia that even some veteran Beatles fans may find themselves surprised at. After unlocked a certain number of pics, videos can also be unlocked. These are authentic videos ripped from the Abbey Road vault. They really add the the authenticity of the game, and add a great reward for those who are willing to appreciate the Beatles.

It is hard to talk about anything bad about this game. Harmonix payed attention to everything in this game. Unfortunately, there are some people out there who aren't Beatles fans (yeah. the entire 2 of them.). They might get a little discouraged by the Beatles focus and its differentiation from other band titles like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Some fans might also get discouraged that there are only 45 songs on the disc. Understand that this game was dedicated to quality over quantity. Harmonix wanted to create a tribute to the Beatles, and they did. No other music was needed nor was it wanted. Although some may find this a sacrifice, the game actually does a lot better this way. The 45 songs are meant to appeal to a broad crowd. Harmonix stated very clearly that they wanted to introduce people that may not be familiar to the Beatles. These 45 songs showcase the very long career of the Beatles. And although the Beatles have quite the robust catalogue, putting too many songs on the disc would have ruled out downloadable content, which is a staple for a company like Harmonix, and wanted by the player.

Thing you may have missed: The wammy bar is functional in the game, but only to the extent of gaining points. The wa-wa effect was removed in order to keep the music of the Beatles authentic and original. No one wanted wammy bar affects with the Beatles songs, which is probably a really wise choice!

THE FINAL VERDICT

THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND is the best music video game ever created. No game has ever had so much quality put into it for its namesake. The Beatles were legendary. There music is resounding, and they truly are the best rock band ever. Harmonix dedicated themselves to replicating this, and creating a great tribute to them. They wanted authenticity and truthfulness, even if that meant cutting things and introducing new things. This decision created the best music video game. All Beatles fans must buy this game. You are missing out on possibly one of the best experiences you will have in your life. All music fans should buy this game. The quality is not to be underestimated, and the fine details make this a great immersion into music. If you aren't the biggest Beatles fan though, you might find yourself liking the game for its party appeal, and like my friend, you may find an affinity to the Beatles yourself. And if you aren't a big music gamer, give this game a try anyway: you'll find that it is a greatly crafted experience, and is a great collection to a gaming library.

picture courtesy wikipedia.org