On October 6, Harmonix released the fourth installment of their once mega-popular franchise Rock Band. Just like Guitar Hero, this is the first Rock Band game from the company in five years. In an almost futile attempt to re-popularize rhythm-based video games, both Activision and Harmonix are releasing new versions of their famous games. Only time will tell if rhythm-based games will get back up on their hypothetical feet.

Like Guitar Hero, to play Rock Band, one will need special controllers. In fact, one would need up to five different and unique controllers to get the full effect of Rock Band’s gameplay. This allows more variety and better multiplayer play with friends. Honestly, if I had to choose between Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I would choose Rock Band. In a game that has many different styles of gameplay, Rock Band has players do so much more. The re-playability factor of this game is huge, and Rock Band has the myriad of instruments to thank. For me, the drums was always my favorite. Players play with real drumsticks, and it is the only instrument played sitting down.

Unlike Guitar Hero Live, the subject of the first of these two articles, Rock Band 4 continues the gameplay that made it popular in the first place. The only present changes are almost minimal and most improve gameplay. The awkward keyboard controller, introduced as a new instrument in Rock Band 3, is gone for good favoring the original three instruments: Guitar, Microphone, and Drums. Now included are Freestyle Guitar Solos, which I believe to be a great inclusion.
Freestyle Guitar Solos allow the guitar player to have their very own guitar solo in the middle of a song. Once triggered, the guitar player may follow a set of recommended notes given by the game, or he or she can simply improvise by throwing out random notes as seen fit. This gives a player a better sense of immersion when playing, plus boosts the guitar player’s score.

Rock Band 4’s soundtrack definitely leaves something to be desired. Most of the songs on the playlist are indie rock songs (mostly used in car commercials, not famous rock songs) with few truly classic songs. Not to worry though because Rock Band 4 is allowing players to import songs from the other Rock Band games into Rock Band 4. This means that Rock Band 4 can support over 2,000 songs.

All in all, Rock Band 4 gives players the tools for hours upon hours of fun and enjoyment. If there was one game to save the genre of rhythm-based games, I would say it was this one. Rock Band doesn’t deviate much from older iterations and allows players to play all of the past songs in the franchise for free. That’s pretty impressive, considering that Guitar Hero Live charges players to see the whole soundtrack included with the game.

Rock Band 4 is available only for the PS4 and Xbox One. Seriously, this game is fantastic, and if the older versions are anything to go off of, this game is still worth the $100+ price tag for the game and equipment.