The Beatles first conquered England, then America, next up was LSD and finally… rhythm based music video games. The Beatles conquered them all. How did this happen? How did a game that contains only 45 tracks, all from one band, that is not particularly difficult so thoroughly rip apart everything we new about the genre and throw it out the window?
Tomorrow never knows, after the jump.
The ticket to ride that sets this game apart from every other rhythm game is the three part harmonies. This deceptively simple gameplay innovation fundamentally changes the way these Rock Band/Guitar Hero games are played. The three part harmonies allow three people to sing at the same time with three separate microphones. This obviates the need to learn how to play the plastic guitar, or be borne with enough rhythm to play the drums. Suddenly, these enormously popular games come together and become accessible to not only non-gamers, but the previously uninterested gamers that never gave the Rock Band/Guitar Hero games a second look.
Its funny that TB:RB is the first game to offer such a large playable group. The old adage, “The more, the merrier,” seems appropriate for these type of rhythm games, but that has never been the case. For the most part, these type of rhythm games have been relegated to the power chord, rock and roll music. That’s all fine and good, but it is just not universally liked as a rock and roll fan would like. Before 9/9/09, the Rock Band/Guitar Hero games also self-limited its audience to gamers that took the time to learn how to use the plastic controllers and become proficient drummers. Sure, you could always have one bird that could sing, but that’s only one out of four. In TB:RB you can have your parents and your kids sit down and play a video game with you with no prior training needed. The Beatles: Rock Band essentially wipes the learning curve from the game for half of the players.
The result of the three singer dynamic is that it allows a much more casual play through. Anyone can sit down and sing Yellow Submarine. Heck my 4 year old daughter can get through Twist and Shout on medium without failing out. By adding additional singers, The Beatles: Rock Band allows for six people to play at the same time and half of the group could have never picked up a video game in their life, which opens up a whole new audience to video games.
The trick here is that, yes, there are three spots for non-gamers to play, but you must have something worth playing to put it all together. Therein lies the genius of The Beatles: Rock Band. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the group, you know these songs. These songs have been the pervasive background music of most of our lives. Whether it’s TV shows, commercials, movies or the music itself, The Beatles music has seeped into every facet of entertainment. From Nike commercials to Cirque de Solei, The Beatles music has endured for over 40 years around the world.
Take the accessibility, couple that with some of the greatest music ever recorded and package that with the sumptuous backgrounds and accompanying videos, story mode and an excellent drum trainer and you have yourself the most accessible, most instantly likable and enjoyable rhythm games ever. It’s a revolution, well ya know, except this time, if EA and Activision were smart, they would allow The Beatles: Rock Band to change the rhythm game world.
Some might think I’m showboating by naming this game “The Best Ever”. Fine. Let’s vote on it. I am 100% cofident this poll will prove me right.
[poll id="4"]
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Is it weird that I think Party Play’s much more innovative an enhancement? Three-part harmonies sounds like a pretty good feature nonetheless.
Three part harmonies sound like a train wreck at a party to me… I don’t have three friends who can sing.
I’m pretty sure you don’t play rock band games to do simulate an authentic reproduction of your favorite song… You sing and have fun. You’re over thinking it.
I tried singing on hard and failed after 20 seconds. The Beatles are my favourite band so obviously this is my favourite rhythm game.
I don’t like singing, so the new harmony feature doesn’t interest me.
I played the game, it’s no fun on guitar, it’s way too easy.
I’m sticking with Guitar Hero III, that’s ALWAYS fun.
You’re missing the point. The three part harmonies aren’t for your benefit, they’re for the noob gamers around you. That’s the point.
Guitar Hero III sucks!!!
This is all without mentioning the beautiful presentation and intensely interesting extras that are packed into the game. Everything about this game is well done.
I’m happy.
I voted in the poll, and I have to say I definitely went with The Beatles : Rockband. While the 3-part harmony feature of The Beatles : Rockband is interesting, what really got me was the 3-part harmony only featured in The Beatles : Rockband. The Beatles : Rockband is a close second, but I’d have to say my money’s on The Beatles : RockBand.
Also, The Beatles : Rockband is just retarded. Who the hell voted for that when you could choose The Beatles : Rockband??
It truly is an amazing game. You forgot to mention that hardcore RB players also have the option of playing an instrument and singing at the same time. Sure, you can do that in the other games, but I don’t think it was ever considered in the gameplay until TB: RB. Yeah, that bass part on “Dear Prudence” isn’t terribly difficult, but it seems a lot harder when you’re trying to harmonize while playing.
I’m in the minority. I voted for Beatles: Rock Band.
The last one that is, I am one of 10 people.
It’s funny you mention the accessibility. For the first time in 24 yrs when I go home for the holiday this weekend my parents want me to bring my xbox. Weird.
This is so weird… IAWL. (I Agree With Lono)
GH: Aerosmith, GH: Metallica… you guys can go SUCK IT. The new standard in “band themed rhythm games” has been released.
My only question is who’s next? Rolling Stones: Rock Band? I’d vote for Iron Maiden: Rock Band, but I know that’s never going to happen… I can just imagine the crazy imagery that’d creep into THAT game. The guys that choreographed the animations for TB:RB deserve megaprops as it was REALLY well done and I can’t wait to see what else comes out.
The three part harmonies got me slightly excited about this game. Until I discovered that I cannot play it with 2 other people unless they are in the same house as me. Myself & two XBL friends aren’t able to all sing at once? GARBAGE.
It’s defiantly a step in the right direction, but it is a feature that isn’t all that I thought it would be. Perhaps in the future it will turn into more, and I certainly hope so.
As for the rest of the game. I am just not that into The Beatles, so I find myself rather bored while playing it, and also like I should be on some serious drugs like acid. On the flip side, I am learning that if I drive a car the streets will get taxed.
I also personally find the game far to easy on Expert (on speaking of guitar/bass). And I despise the transparency on the scrolling notes. WTF we’re they thinking?
Overall, I would never say this best rhythm game. It’s defiantly the easiest though. And only a buy for the true Fanboys of The Beatles music.