New RB2 Info From Game Informer, Premium Drumset Announced
Posted by Alex - Sat 07/12 2008 - 02:01 AM - 1259 Views
A few days late with this, however a recent Game Informer article about Rock Band 2 reveals some fun new details about the upcoming sequel from Harmonix, as well as a few new songs and more information on the new peripherals. An intrepid Scorehero poster has uploaded the article, but for those who don't feel like reading scanned text, here's some of the more interesting details.
New Confirmed Songs:
Almost Easy - Avenged Sevenfold
Bad Reputation - Joan Jett
I Was Wrong - Social Distortion
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Rock 'n Me - Steve Miller Band
Testify - Rage Against the Machine
White Wedding Pt 1 - Bill Idol
Game Features:
Dozens of new venues, as well as all of the originals
World Tour now focuses on more optional improvements and cash management, making the experience a little more sim-like
Start and Back (or select for PS3 folks) now used to select and cancel in menus - No more band members accidentally backing out to the main screen
Custom setlists, auto setlists, and fast scroll options reduce the tedium of selecting songs
No Fail option included for those who don't want to have to worry about how much their band sucks
Drum Trainer mode provides charts to help you learn fills and drumbeats and multiple speeds (over 75 charts)
Free drumming mode with selectable kits
Jukebox mode included for listening to your music and watching your band rock out
In-game photo creator lets you make custom PR shots for your band and upload them to the Rock Band community site
New Drums:
Quieter, bouncier, more responsive
Bass pedal now metal enforced
Expansion slots for add-ons, such as cymbals (which will initially be used as extra versions of existing pads)
Wireless
New Guitar:
Maple finish with quieter buttons and improved stummer
Strummer made to be a happy medium between Guitar Hero and Rock Band 1 style strummer
Built in microphone for use with automatic lag calibration
Wireless
Premium Instruments:
First party modified full size Fender Stratocasters announced
ION Drum Rocker Premium Drums (pictured), full MIDI kit with included Xbox 360 brainbox, can be connected to a normal MIDI box and used as an actual digital drumkit
ION kit supports up to three cymbals and may have a double bass pedal released, but ships with two cymbals and a single pedal
Stratocaster pricing and availability not published; ION kit available for preorder (see link below) for $299+shipping, ships in mid-September
In short, a pretty nice list of features for the game. It definitely goes to show that Rock Band 2 is meant to be an improvement rather than an almost total overhaul like the transition between Guitar Hero 1 and 2; however the new additions seem to be based on user complaints and requests, which is incredibly promising.
Now I'm really glad I was very late in getting a RB game. I just hope that ability to download the last game's songs also proves true.
I'm sure they will, in much the same way you could download songpacks for the Ultramix games. They want you to be able to get what you want, and, more importantly, they want your money :)
The full-size, heavy Stratocaster would feel so nice! I bet I can't afford one at all but I hope to at least hold one someday :)
I'm also really happy about No-Fail mode. I never get to play Rock Band, so when I do play at my friends' house I'm sight reading all the time, and I feel guilty when I make them fail occasional songs. If you're just playing for fun it's nice to be able to at least finish the song and see what there is to play beyond the part that gives you trouble.
Posted by taboo - Sat 07/12 2008 - 11:55 AM [ quote ]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BUTT FEAST
Quote:
Originally Posted by taboo
Now I'm really glad I was very late in getting a RB game. I just hope that ability to download the last game's songs also proves true.
I'm sure they will, in much the same way you could download songpacks for the Ultramix games. They want you to be able to get what you want, and, more importantly, they want your money :)
I was talking more the rumor of all the on-disc songs from RB1 being available to download for RB2. Some say it's free with/without the first disc, others say it's about 1/4th a cost of the game and so on.
I'll be getting the premium kit, hoping for a 2nd kick.
Posted by Zeon0087 - Sat 07/12 2008 - 04:44 PM [ quote ]
Hands down, this is looking to be just what we were looking for. The premium drums seem to be just what we really needed, a real electric drumkit.
Posted by Sheepdude - Sat 07/12 2008 - 05:33 PM [ quote ]
This game might not be released with the Konami lawsuit now, right?
Posted by Alex - Sat 07/12 2008 - 06:09 PM [ quote ]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheepdude
This game might not be released with the Konami lawsuit now, right?
The chances of that happening are slim to none. If Viacom even smells that they're going to lose the patent case, they'll settle out of court.
Not only that, but it's less than two months until the game comes out.
Posted by Zeon0087 - Sat 07/12 2008 - 11:59 PM [ quote ]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheepdude
This game might not be released with the Konami lawsuit now, right?
I read somewhere Harmonix's response to the lawsuit. They said they are more than ready to defend against it. So I guess given their confidence, this isn't going to be affected in any way.
Posted by Oni-91 - Sun 07/13 2008 - 11:22 AM [ quote ]
I am so getting that premium drum kit, even though Europe'll see it around early 2010 and for £500...
Posted by Hair - Sun 07/13 2008 - 12:04 PM [ quote ]
hmm I already have an electric drum kit, I wonder if I'll be able to hook it up to the xbox brain thinger ala drummania
This game might not be released with the Konami lawsuit now, right?
I read somewhere Harmonix's response to the lawsuit. They said they are more than ready to defend against it. So I guess given their confidence, this isn't going to be affected in any way.
Most often, companies don't say, "Hey we got sued we're gonna lose bai." Even RoxoR put up some sort of info about how they were going to fight Konami, and they ended up settling and giving Konami all of ITG's intellectual property. Harmonix doesn't really have ground to stand on with their patent, so I anticipate a settlement.
Posted by BemaniAK - Sun 07/13 2008 - 10:38 PM [ quote ]
YES! This is perfect!
Now I don't have to dish out money for a MIDI kit to play drummania, however I hope the PS2 version has the same drumkit, because I won't be dishing money out for a next-gen console any time soon.
I suppose if the PS2 peripherals are compatible with the PS3 version (Like RB1)
I could go over to my friend's house to play downloaded songs or something.
Posted by Alex - Sun 07/13 2008 - 11:17 PM [ quote ]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BemaniAK
YES! This is perfect!
Now I don't have to dish out money for a MIDI kit to play drummania, however I hope the PS2 version has the same drumkit, because I won't be dishing money out for a next-gen console any time soon.
I suppose if the PS2 peripherals are compatible with the PS3 version (Like RB1)
I could go over to my friend's house to play downloaded songs or something.
Sadly the only kit available right now is 360, but when the PS3 one comes out it should definitely be compatible.
