I'm surprised I don't see more people defending the incredibly fun multiplayer mode. It's an addictive game and the more you play the better you can get. So battles between high level heroes are fun and intense. It doesn't matter that the game has little representation of actual guitar, it makes it easier to have high levels of competition. Sports games like Madden have huge cult followings, especially in terms of multiplayer tournaments (ESPN filmed a Madden Tournament), but it doesn't matter to them that hitting the square button doesn't fully represent tackling a 230 pound running back. As to the level of difficulty of the pretend instrument, that's what makes for closer, more intense finishes. Look at the success of Fusion Frenzy. I've been playing the game myself for a few months now and am a passable Expert player. However, I would love to see someone hit some of the songs on there perfect. While it's a easy (addicting) learning curve, there's not much of a ceiling.
I only hope that Rock Band can bring the same ease of a learning curve and enjoyable addicting gameplay. I question as to how much room is needed for the game - Guitar Hero is a hit in the dorms, but can Rock Band fit? I imagine the aim is for a team satisfaction for getting perfect scores. GH2 tried this a bit with the institution of cooperative mode with one player taking lead and the other taking rhythm or bass. It was cool at first, but eventually the non-lead role was significantly less entertaining. Unfortunately I can't see how that could be changed, music needs a rhythm and bass position, but can Rock Band make those roles entertaining? That's one of my biggest questions, but I will forever be a firm supporter of Guitar Hero.
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I'm surprised I don't see more people defending the incredibly fun multiplayer mode. It's an addictive game and the more you play the better you can get. So battles between high level heroes are fun and intense. It doesn't matter that the game has little representation of actual guitar, it makes it easier to have high levels of competition. Sports games like Madden have huge cult followings, especially in terms of multiplayer tournaments (ESPN filmed a Madden Tournament), but it doesn't matter to them that hitting the square button doesn't fully represent tackling a 230 pound running back. As to the level of difficulty of the pretend instrument, that's what makes for closer, more intense finishes. Look at the success of Fusion Frenzy. I've been playing the game myself for a few months now and am a passable Expert player. However, I would love to see someone hit some of the songs on there perfect. While it's a easy (addicting) learning curve, there's not much of a ceiling. I only hope that Rock Band can bring the same ease of a learning curve and enjoyable addicting gameplay. I question as to how much room is needed for the game - Guitar Hero is a hit in the dorms, but can Rock Band fit? I imagine the aim is for a team satisfaction for getting perfect scores. GH2 tried this a bit with the institution of cooperative mode with one player taking lead and the other taking rhythm or bass. It was cool at first, but eventually the non-lead role was significantly less entertaining. Unfortunately I can't see how that could be changed, music needs a rhythm and bass position, but can Rock Band make those roles entertaining? That's one of my biggest questions, but I will forever be a firm supporter of Guitar Hero.