Doing a review for Rock Band 2 I found to be very different than other game reviews. I figure those unfamiliar with it can read this wordier yet less in depth review made for those who are completely new to Rock Band/Guitar Hero . For those who are getting the band back together, I felt the best way to show the strengths and faults that come with the game are to just straight up list out the pros and cons (with pictures and one video, oOo). So in no particular order:

CON: Compared to Rock Band 1, this intro blows.

PRO: Having the ability to do the full tour without the need of another person. Using my band with online friends. Thank you Harmonix for these two upgrades alone.

PRO: Challenges are welcome as a second mode. This is also an alternative way to unlock the hidden tracks in the game if you don’t want to do Band World Tour.

PRO: Battle of the Bands is cool and for extra bragging rights. I like the idea that the Battles are on a constantly changing basis and there are many to pick from (whether you are trying one solo or have other people with you).

MEH: There is 15 new venues, the bad side, there is old venues back as well (I’m sure there is difference on opinion with this thought). I like the making the video set. New video effects are nice.

CON: Characters are basically the same. I would have liked a little more realistic look this time around, but I’m paying attention to the notes anyways (also they look leaps and bounds better than Steven Tyler from Guitar Hero Aerosmith.. *shudders*). The band name and logo you choose seems to get shown more, just one of those little upgrades that might stick out to a watchful eye. On the side of character outfits, I actually noticed some missing. I want the black suit I used to have dammit!

PRO: Having so many songs now. Transferring Rock Band 1 songs is a MUST. If you did not own the game, quickly rent it, pay the $5 they charge, and gain yourself 55 more songs to the game (with the ability to edit out the songs you don’t want to keep around).

PRO: 20 Free Tracks. I guess this is part of the so many songs now really. (“Now we play the waiting game” .. “The waiting game sucks, lets play hungry hungry hippos!” – Homer)

MEH: The song choice I don’t feel is as good as the original, however Rock Band 2 songs are very much fun to play. Always keeping you busy, and I wouldn’t say that this game is necessarily more challenging, it really just feels like the songs picked were done so with a ‘fun factor’ in mind (even songs I don’t particularly like.. as seen below).

PRO: When doing making a setlist, it has never been so streamlined and nice.

PRO: A small thing, but I like that drums now have solos. And hell, the Drum Trainer is cool too.

PRO: No Fail Option aka “We’re too drunk to actually hit all the notes Mode”

PRO: Quickplay has a make your own setlist.

MEH: The hiring of characters that effect how much money, how many fans you get, etc. The game could have did without it, but it doesn’t hurt the game either.

Since I bought game only, here are some thoughts on the new instruments from respected people. For the drums:

“The drums, on the other hand, may just be worth the $89.99 price tag. Though from the same mold as the original, the drums are wireless and much quieter than before. The pads are velocity sensitive, measuring the speed and force used to hit the pads. During fills, hitting a pad softer creates quieter sounds. And the drum more accurately counts hits. The pedal, which broke for many people last year, is now metal and should be impervious to destruction.” – IGN Rock Band 2 Review

On the new guitar:

“It started out really, really well. The auto-sync feature was AMAZING, and for the first time I really felt like the music, notes, and what I was doing all matched up.

I also liked the neck, the fret buttons are VASTLY improved, and I like the circle around the Start button. And, the Overdrive actually WORKS.” Cheech on NeoGAF

It should also be noted, you can plug in the drum pedal and use it as your overdrive button, neat!

Final thoughts: If you counted out the pros and the cons (because I didn’t), I am pretty sure obtaining this game, even if you own the original, is a must. If you liked the first Rock Band at all, this is something you should pick up. I couldn’t in good mind give it a full on ‘5′ because the changes made on the actual game itself were not everything they could have done (separate leaderboards based on difficulty setting, i’m sure they could have brought more). However, the changes that are made seem enough that couldn’t have been done without a hefty priced DLC upgrade (that wouldn’t have come with 104 tracks).

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