Rock Band 2 hands on, live shots, Ion drum kit, first impressions: woot!
First, the new guitars not only look better, but they will include some welcome hardware tweaks. The new axe includes an optical sensor that will make syncing the game to your display a breeze. Rather than go through that annoying tap..tap...tap synchronization scheme, all you'll need to do is hold up your controller to your display and it will figure things out with you based on your screen's refresh rate. In addition, the new guitars have been updated with slicker fret controls that make it easier to slide from one to the other. Meanwhile, the strum bar has been tightened up a bit. No clicking, though -- the guys at Harmonix say no one "dreams of playing a metronome" anyway. A dig at Guitar Hero? Perhaps, but if you're looking for some click feedback from your controller, look elsewhere.
Gallery: Rock Band 2 Hands On and Impressions
Speaking of drum kits, the sold-separately and uber-tech Ion "Drum Rocker" kit was also on display. This is the same kit that can be attached to a real drum sound module for those of you who want to take your Rock Band chops and turn them into an actual, stand-alone act. The kit looks very solid, plays like a dream, and for $300 is almost worth it.
On the software side, Harmonix promises 500 songs by year-end. Song browsing has been made to mimic the current music store, and set lists are now officially a part of the game. World Tour mode adds some sim options like choosing a manager or even letting your mom set up your gigs all the while cleaning your underwear. Really. We wouldn't make that up. There are also some new venues to check out, including Tokyo and Tijuana. Finally, a "no-fail" mode has been added for those moments when you have some less-than-coordinated guests over and don't want to embarrass them. And don't forget, Harmonix has stated that "most" songs from the original game can be ported over to the new one barring any licensing issues though which they're currently working.
So there you have it, kids: Rock Band 2 in full gory glory.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tyler @ Jul 16th 2008 10:12PM
Yes! Cannot wait for Rock Band 2! Only problem: PS3 user, so delayed launch. :(
neofolklore @ Jul 17th 2008 8:05AM
Xbox 360 User
THIS WAS A TRIUMPH,
WE DO WHAT WE MUST BECAUSE WE CAN (continued with next commenter)
Ignatius @ Jul 17th 2008 8:42AM
How about no.
Tyler @ Jul 16th 2008 10:12PM
Cannot wait! Only problem is: PS3 has a delayed launch. :/
marty.com.au @ Jul 17th 2008 12:22AM
That's what she said...
sorry, had to do it, :op
Bunson @ Jul 16th 2008 10:15PM
YAY. I cannot wait, there is a problem though. The ps3 has a late launch. =[
Ordeith @ Jul 17th 2008 4:13PM
Delaystation.
Get used to it, or get rid of it.
Jack @ Jul 16th 2008 10:18PM
WOOOO!!!
Sorry, but I can't wait for Rock Band 2!!
I have Rock Band for the 360 and love it!
This will be a welcome addition to our living room!
Ignatius @ Jul 16th 2008 10:18PM
Three comments in a row about the delayed launch? Well, this is why I'm getting the 360 version. :P
Magnificen7 @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20PM
Yes! Cannot wait for this. Only problem, 360 owner so... uh... oh wait. Yay! I would also like to see a Canadian city in this one, just because. Toronto or Montreal? Quebec City? They all have good music scenes, even Calgary!
Artie Lange @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20PM
It would be great if they'd feature some real, legendary clubs. Play Budokan, CBGB's, The Black Cat, Fort Reno Park, etc. The Ion Drum kit looks amazing; if only the game would support the extra inputs by adding separate, unique cues in the game for the additional pads.
Louis @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20PM
Major spelling error in gallery album name...
John @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20PM
Can the microphone be used for Audio synchronization as well?
who? @ Jul 16th 2008 10:22PM
What symbol is behing the drums in that picture? Hmmmmm.... bass guitar?
hurricane @ Jul 16th 2008 11:25PM
Nope, bass guitar is to the left of the drum symbol, so it is... lead guitar...
Jack @ Jul 16th 2008 10:23PM
I'm also interested about Rock Bans 2 as advertised in the gallery name...
Luigi193 @ Jul 16th 2008 10:25PM
Sounds great! Love the No-Fail mode!!!
Khattab @ Jul 16th 2008 10:27PM
I'll go with WiiMusic. Who needs physical devices if you can create great music by simply shake around like a monkey. Pfff.
Taylor @ Jul 18th 2008 1:23AM
Why don't I just go listen to my ipod and wave my hands in the air? Already am I doing more than half of what you can do with Wii Music.
MastrCake @ Jul 16th 2008 10:29PM
500 songs?
Guess I'm not waiting for Guitar Hero: WT anymore!!!
Those Ion drums look freakin' sweet! But seriously, if this is going to be my first Rock Band game, I'm not spending over $450 for everything!!!
Oh, and those stock drums had better be quieter than my Xbox 360 (that's not a hard benchmark to reach, Harmonix!)
est. Price Breakdown:
Rock Band 2 Game: $60
Two Wireless Guitars/basses: $60+$60=$120
One Ion drum set: $300
Not being able to play a real instrument: Priceless
Magnificen7 @ Jul 16th 2008 10:43PM
Dude, just install the game to your hard drive! No noise at all!
Brad @ Jul 17th 2008 8:43AM
Uh.. since you're adding things up, don't forget that you have to PAY for those 500 songs.
macserv @ Jul 17th 2008 11:55PM
And I think I'd rather play a drum kit with cymbals that are aware that they're cymbals (not just the blue and yellow toms duplicated and suspended in the air). GH:WT is going to own this game. For one round, anyway.
Johann Wentzel @ Jul 16th 2008 10:32PM
In the words of Peter Griffin..
"freakin' sweet!"
computer.dude.28 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:08PM
"no freakin' way!!"
caleb @ Jul 25th 2008 1:08AM
wayyy
zom @ Jul 16th 2008 10:33PM
glad i have a 360... wonder if they'll sell the drum kit separately, i need some new cans.
Jomolungma @ Jul 16th 2008 10:33PM
Finally, some nice pics of the gear. HUGE QUESTION: You have a photo of the back of the RB2 kit (non-Ion) and it has three colored inputs, including orange. I'm assuming these are for the cymbals. Orange is not a color of one of the pads. Does this mean that you can actually add a fifth color to the RB2 kit, making it basically the same as the GH:WT kit? Wouldn't that mean, since Activision said the RB instruments are compatible with GH:WT, that if you bought an orange cymbal then you could play GH:WT in all of its five-color glory and not the "condensed" drum note charts? Any clarification on that very much appreciated.
Jomolungma @ Jul 16th 2008 10:36PM
Bah! Never mind. It looks like one of the pads on the new RB2 kit IS orange. Wasn't it yellow in the first kit? Any way, guess that means the answer to my question is no.
therpham @ Jul 16th 2008 10:47PM
I think it's just the lighting in the photos.
Jomolungma @ Jul 16th 2008 11:23PM
That must be it because I looked at the websites for both RB and RB2 and both kits have yellow pads where the photo shows orange (I would've checked my own kit but it's packed for my move). Either way, doesn't like like you can add a fifth color to the kit.
Juriko @ Jul 17th 2008 3:10AM
orange is the color of the foot pedal
DrNick664 @ Jul 16th 2008 10:47PM
I played Rock Band for the first time last week, and found out I was godly. I was able to play most things on hard or medium, and could even do some of the easy-middle ones of expert. I thought this was funny, because they asked, "how are you so good?" And it was because I play the Ukulele... I thought it was funny.
leak @ Jul 17th 2008 1:06AM
Boooooooo. You can play easy songs on expert. Wow you're godly.
MechaDEVO @ Jul 16th 2008 10:59PM
They should make an official solution for double kick pedals. Maybe use one of those auxiliary ports.
mam693 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:06PM
So are those drums and mic wireless?
Jomolungma @ Jul 16th 2008 11:24PM
Drums are wireless, mic is not.
mam693 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:33PM
Ok i can live with that. Thanks! Any chance however the Lips mic will work with RBII?
Hike15 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:42PM
why make the drums wireless?
they dont move anyways...
mam693 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:46PM
Well depending how far away your 360 is from a chair or sofa it can be quite useful. The cable on the current Drums just makes it for me (luckily i'm borrowing my friend's that i'm borrowing since his 360 RRODed so i won't have to buy another drum set) so a wireless drum set is a welcome addition.
MastrCake @ Jul 17th 2008 12:46PM
Wired drums make for great "The Who" moments...
TopaZ @ Jul 16th 2008 11:18PM
Another HUGE question: if I don't want to spend $200 for a drum brain, can I just hook this up as a USB midi device to my PC or Mac?
If so, this is an INSTANT purchase, even inflated $100 over its true worth.
Nick8708 @ Jul 17th 2008 12:49AM
I'm curious about this myself. I'm assuming it hooks up to the consoles via USB, whether the cable is built in usb or requires an adapter. I've done a bit of perusing of drum modules and I can't recall seeing any mention having a hookup for USB, but of course I'm not too familiar with e-drums, so if anybody could clarify this I'd be most appreciative as well.
Also, if it can hook up directly to a PC, what kind of good quality software solutions exist that would let you take advantage of the Ion drums?
hiko36 @ Jul 24th 2008 7:36AM
I would imagine that FL Studio would have that sort of functionality. Torrent it to find out first though. It's one expensive piece of software lol...
Ouch @ Jul 16th 2008 11:20PM
Is RB2 gonna work with GH4 instruments? I mean I really want Rockband for the songs but I already reordered GH4 and that Im looking foreword to GH4 features too I just dont want to buy another set of instruments.
Jomolungma @ Jul 16th 2008 11:26PM
Well, I believe RB1 works with GH3 instruments, and HMX is fairly dedicated to an open platform, so I'd imagine so. You just might not get much use out of the fifth drum color (orange) or it might map to duplicate another color. Also, I don't think the slide feature on the new GH guitar would be implemented in RB2. Other than that though, probably.
Brad @ Jul 17th 2008 8:50AM
+1 on that.
I like Harmonix and all, but the GH instruments look alot better than the RB ones this time around. I just sold off all my RB stuff from the PS2 so I could buy a PS3. Hopefully I can buy the GH:WT kit and use it on Rock Band without having to keep two drum kits around.
yoctotech @ Jul 16th 2008 11:34PM
I like it
prosthetichead @ Jul 16th 2008 11:38PM
To bad rockband 1 isnt even out here in Australia yet!
will we just skip 1 and go direct too 2?
I want to give Harmonix my money I REALLY do but they have not even announced a tentative release date which is a Joke.
unfortunately for me guitar hero wins but its only by default and not by my choosing
cheng @ Jul 17th 2008 5:47AM
my friend ordered a set of ebay. he said they were worth the trouble.