The Beatles Rock Band

 

 

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There's lots of discussion about the game, but not very many people talking about the bundle. I wanted the LE bundle because of durability concerns about the original RB instruments, and because I'm a bit of a sad middle-aged Beatles fan.

As well as the game, the LE bundle includes:

-- the game. Important because the guitar controllers that are sold separately do not contain the game. But the LE bundle does.

-- the Hofner bass controller. This is gorgeous to look at, quite the most beautiful plastic game controller I've ever seen. It has two sets of buttons, and it needs them, because it's longer than average for a guitar controller so kids will need the upper fret controllers. From the front it looks amazingly like a real bass; looking down as you're playing you can see the button colours but they're almost invisible from the front. The pearl button on the third fret is indented so that you can feel where you are as you play too.

-- the Ludwig Beatles drum kit. The individual drums are damped, and I don't find this sounds loud when played. It's incredibly rock solid and heavy (it compares favourably in build quality with a £50 toy drum kit we bought our son a few years ago). The pedal has a metal footplate with a Beatles logo, and feels pretty solid to me but I am a rock band novice; I understand that traditionally in RB the pedal is the first thing to break. The drumsticks look like actual wooden drumsticks. We were all delighted by the little popup screen that imitates the bass drum head, with The Beatles on it. No functionality at all but we love it anyway.

In play, we've found that the wireless drums occasionally lose their sync, requiring a restart of the game. This is covered in the faqs and we haven't lost data, but it's a bit of a pain. Reconnecting by pressing the connection buttons never seems to work for us.

-- one mic, which is I think a standard rock band mic -- it is heavy and works pretty well. You need to eat the mic to get a good score, and I'm speaking as someone who has a strong, loud, singing voice.

-- one mic stand, which is very solidly built and great for singing. It's hard to drum and sing at the same time using this mic stand though (I mean, it's hard to drum and sing at the same time full stop! But it's difficult to find a position where you can get close enough to the mic).

-- eight postcards; they're quite pretty but I'll probably just use them as notecards.

-- set up information (just about ok) and a woefully inadequate manual. If you have never played a rhythm game then you'll probably need the RB support pages, which include lots of information that should have been packed in with the game.

Overall it's very good, and I think substantially better value than the 'Value' edition that features the original rock band instruments.

One note about the game; if you are the sort of person who likes to play a game through to the closing credits as fast as possible and then never pick it up again, then Beatles Rock Band is not for you; the skill required to get to see the closing animation is minimal and it only takes a few hours (most of the 45 songs are short). The real game comes in trying to five star every song, pick up accomplishments, play with friends or family, play all the different instruments and so on. And that's great fun.

Lennon would have loved this. It's a full blown psychedelic dream boat of a game, the production levels is as high as The Fab Four circa 1969.

The Beatles, in their latest incarnation are beautifully animated and each song has its very own music video, all of which, in their precision and evocativeness, are a real treat. Expect deep gratification as you drum along to the big backbeat of Twist and Shout, or enjoy trying to match the harmonies with George and Paul on Here Comes The Sun: this is as close to being the fifth Beatle as you're ever going to get.

Unlike Guitar Hero games, the emphasis is very much on you playing WITH the band rather than instead of them. In other words, the original tracks will be right there for you to hear, as well as your voice. It works well and saves their exquisite back catalogue from being blasphemed by your mates' pained vocal cords and mal-coordinated strumming. Ultimately, this is a party game and the more the merrier, with up to 6 Beatles able to play.You don't need to buy another wii controller either, as the instruments act as separate controls

This reviewer really loves playing the guitar or drums at the same time as singing. You get a mic stand to encourage you to do this, it feels fantastic once you get the hang of it. You can play online, with friends or take the chronological story mode. Both are cool but the latter would probably be more for the fans. Which, let's face it, is most of us.

All you need is Beatles.

Surprisingly, it's been 24 years since The Beatles figured in a computer game. Other than McCartney's `Give my Regards to Broad Street', (`Band on the Run' appeared as the last song on `Guitar Heroes World Tour') and the Gary Marsh text adventure `Beatle Quest', both on Spectrum and Commodore, anything Beatles related has been missing from the software market (no doubt due to the legal minefield that is copyright). Now, however, with the keeper of the Holy Grail of music licensing finally relenting, we can be our favourite of the Fab Four. There's no point in explaining what this game is about, as anyone reading this will know, so let's look at what you get for your money.

Forty-five songs, with an additional 31 downloadable throughout the remainder of the year make up the game (there's actually 44 listed but one is a two song amalgamation from the `Love' CD). Amongst other things, when completing certain parts, prizes of unseen photos can be `won' as can the elusive `Christmas Album'. For the ears of the completists who must have everything, there's previously unissued studio chatter and snatches of instrumental music to be heard at various junctures. (I can imagine some buying this just for that.) One of the best options available is that of singing three part harmonies. Unsurprisingly, this has not been available on other `Rock Band' titles, but as The Beatles were fortunate enough to possess two of the all-time great singers and the vocal dexterity of the group was an important factor, it had to be included. This could be great fun on a Beatles Karaoke night.

One problem I can see is that many of the songs are less than three minutes in length, which may mean that some could complete the game sooner than anticipated. In addition, whilst the visuals are excellent, you will be concentrating too much on following the notes to watch - though you could always let it play on its own. However, the music is what The Beatles were about, and although there is no crossover between other `Rock Band' packages, this will introduce the group to many who are unaware of what the fuss was about. Conversely, as you won't be able to use any of the extra songs on other software, those who may want to try out being George cannot. Another failing in this and the others in the series is the absence of a piano. I mean, the keyboard is pretty funky in `Get Back' Maybe Harmonix, EA and anyone else involved could consider bringing one out as an add on instrument for future releases.

One change from the usual formula that keeps intact the aura that still surrounds the group is that you aren't booed if you go wrong, or cheered if you do well. That could never be included in anything Beatles related, so you'll merely get a song failed message and a chance to try again. In the studio sequences you'll hear one of them make a comment as to your playing (and how many hours of tape did someone listen to just to get these?). Don't expect everything from the canon to be made available; `Revolution 9' might prove a tad difficult to play and both `Good Night' and `Eleanor Rigby' make the instruments redundant, though the backward guitar parts of `Tomorrow Never Knows' could be an interesting exercise.

Undoubtedly destined to be the biggest seller in the franchise, my only gripe, and no doubt that of everyone who buys this, is the eye watering cost; with the other two guitars, it's £340 for the whole package. Though I'll still get the complete set, I'm still allowed to register my dissatisfaction. Yes, I know there's a stand-alone version that can be used with the Wii controller and other `Rock Band' instruments, but that somewhat defeats the object of playing along with The Beatles.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Cool. Even for a six year old.
I purchased this two years ago. My nephew came up once and he absolutely loves the game. He mainly knows three songs and by the time he is 9, he is going to know them of by heart... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Elizabeth

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Getting Better all the time!
This game is excellent and if you are a fan of The Beatles sheer perfection.

The all important track listing is as follows:

"A Hard Day's Night"... Read more

Published 14 months ago by Andrew Whitby

5.0 out of 5 stars Those in the cheaper seats just clap your hands.
I was brought Beatles Rock band for last Christmas and instantly loved it. I had played Guitar Hero before at a friends house and found it rather difficult, ( in fact I still do)... Read more

Published 17 months ago by Mr. L. A. Okeefe

5.0 out of 5 stars well made, great fun even for non-Beatles fans
I am 20 years old and don't have a vast knowledge of Beatles songs. However, I was surprised at how many songs I knew once I started playing. Read more

Published 18 months ago by T. Kemp

5.0 out of 5 stars Fab accessories
Having already purchased the game and used it with my guitar hero accessory. it was great to get the microphone (with stand), bass and drums, so we could have our own fab four... Read more

Published 19 months ago by ArrGee

1.0 out of 5 stars Wrong product. Not the one described!!!!!
I purchased the beatles rockband LIMITED EDITION. I received the SPECIAL EDITION. There is a hugely phenominal difference! Seller should have known. My fault. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Stephen D. Culley

5.0 out of 5 stars Beatles Rockband Present
I purchased this for my grandchildThe Beatles Rock Band - Limited Edition Premium Bundle (Wii)ren.

The one who wanted it is 7, and he is a bit young to use it... Read more

Published 22 months ago by A. Benson

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beatles Rock Band (Wii)
Fantastic game, I just love playing the drums. I bought it for my husbands 54th birthday and fortunately he loves the guitar or we would be fighting! Read more

Published 23 months ago by Sinola

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT EXPERIENCE - BUT A QUICK QUESTION
I agree with all the 5 star reviews here. Amazing interactive family experience and not a dud song. Was worried that wii would not do the graphics justice - I was wrong!! Read more

Published 24 months ago by SDB MELLONIE

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing fun with friends !
Being a Beatles fan, i ordered this game from Amazon to be shipped to Athens.
Amazing value and great great great fun to play with friends and the best part is you can use... Read more

Published on 7 Feb 2010 by S. Pampoukidis

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