Rock Band iPhone & iPod Touch Review
The iPhone as a whole is still a massively underdeveloped gaming platform the fact that the face of the iPhone only has one push-click button works against it for most gaming styles thats why there have been a huge lack of half-decent shooters, platformers, fighters and other multi button games. However, one genre that has flourished is the rhythm action game thanks predominantly to Tapulous’ fantastic Tap Tap Revenge series however the mediocre tracklisting and in-game advertising became all too much for some users (myself included) and caused us to stop playing. So when MTV Games and Harmonix announced that a portable tap along version of Rock Band would be headed to the iPhone/iPod Touch my fingers were already tapping the table with excitement.
Rock Band shows us exactly how to do an iPhone game right from its crisp and clear menus to the solid gameplay and multiplayer options, Rock Band nearly ticks all boxes. The most substantial mode is as per the console versions, World Tour mode which makes you play varying tracks in different locations in a variety of setlists. You play these setlists either alone using one of the four different game modes (Guitar, Bass,Vocals and Drums) or with friends using the iPhone’s bluetooth connection. When you have selected band members you head around the world playing songs from Rock Band’s main setlist as well as any purchased tracks you may have downloaded. Doining this earns you money and fans as well as unlocking new venues to play in.
The tracklisting itself has to be applauded using a variety of tracks from previous incarnations including songs by Blondie, Blink-182, Motorhead, Foo Fighters, Joan Jett, The Smashing Pumkins among others. The downloadable side of things is also impressive with each two track download costing just £0.59 from the itunes store as well as a few free downloadable songs already in the library. Harmonix has also said that it plans to periodically update the Rock Band Store for iPhone the same way it does for the other consoles. This should have people making their own unique playlists of songs they want to play in no time.
The songs all sound very clear and its easy to distinguish between instruments which helps you recognise harmonix’s spot-on beat matching. All songs have different difficulty ratings and can be played at various levels from easy through to hard letting new players enjoy the experience as much as Rock band veterans.
Facebook integration, a direct link to the music store and claims to fame (Rock Band achievements/trophies) all add to the feel of this being one of the first complete iPhone games and the £5.99 price tag makes it hard to resist but you should also be warned that this is definately not a perfect game.
For a start there is the Vocal mode which works in exactly the same way as Drums, Guitar or Bass. You simply tap coloured notes in time to the music. Its a shame there is no option to y’know actually sing which is possible and has been achieved in all other versions. Secondly the gameplay is very nice and smooth but occasionally lags a second which can be devastating when you are half-way through getting an 100% rating on a song. And finally the game is lacking any customisation options which have been included in Harmonix’s games since the original Guitar Hero games.
Overall I would say that rock band is worth your itunes credit and it is definately worth a few goes on the train or late at night when you cant sleep. Just dont expect an exact port from the console versions.
7/10
Leave a Reply