Although Rock Band is technically a game, since it ships with peripherals and must be played with these accessories, it’s really an experience. Harmonix, the developer behind the best-selling Guitar Hero franchise, has taken rhythm gaming to the next level with Rock Band, a four-player real band experience using plastic instruments and licensed rock tracks that allows anyone to experience the virtual life of a rock star. In addition to creating the actual game, which offers band mates the option of gathering together in the same room or connecting via Xbox Live, Harmonix created each of the instruments that ships with the over-sized box—a four-drum set, a wired controller and a microphone.
There’s the replica Fender Stratocaster guitar, which comes with a wire in the box, but is also sold separately as a wireless device. I highly recommend getting two wireless guitars for this game. Rock Band actually requires two guitars, so you’ll have to buy an additional one anyway. But the heart of this game is the drum set, which is sold separately but comes packed in the bundle. This sturdy peripheral, which comes with real wood drum sticks, has been built to withstand the most intense pounding. The game’s been designed so that players who make it through the Difficult setting as a drummer will actually be able to play real drums. How cool is that? Rock Band has opened up the door to millions of new gamers and allowed music fans the chance to live out their dreams—at least virtually. And the music never gets old as entire albums can be downloaded off Xbox Live.
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