Harmonix Shows Sense While Activision Shows Greed

 

Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos Rocks Out With His Stock Out

 
  

According to WIRED.com’s Chris Kohler, Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos announced yesterday at CES that the company plans on “breaking out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year.”  Therefore, it appears that unlike the bazillion Guitar Hero spinoffs and SKUs designed to wring as much money from consumers as possible, Rock Band 2 will be the platform it claims to be.  Mind you, of course Harmonix wants to make money too, and will do so through their downloadable content as well as their upcoming (but not Rock Band related) game based upon the Beatles, but I think that it’s expected for a music-based game company to make music games.  And in a world where there are literally dozens of ways to get your plastic-guitar-game on, it’s nice to see Harmonix showing some restraint.

Review: Rock Band 2

RB2 screenshot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been a fan of Guitar Hero since the beginning, and while yes, I am a grown male, in his 30s, I also recognize that I have been a fan of the rythym game genre since Dance Dance Revolution.  However, while the original Guitar Hero seemed to forge new ground in terms of immersion and fun gameplay, the sequels seemed to continue down the road of “been there, done that” territory.  

So it was with much excitement that the first Rock Band was announced, and I can say that without a doubt, the first Rock Band title brought back a lot of that excitement and fun gameplay.  The addition of the drum kit and microphone made the game that much more fun and lended itself to more of a “party” atmosphere than Guitar Hero’s single experience.  In fact, even when playing two-player modes, it still felt like one person playing with another one person, rather than a cooperative or different experience than playing alone.

So after finally playing Rock Band 2, I can safely say that the formula still works.  The setlist is wonderful, and after rocking out on everything but the drums (I am terrible at coordinating my feet and hands at the same time, in different rythyms), I happily report that the game still feels like great fun, whether playing by yourself or with friends.  

(see the rest of the review after the jump!)