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John, Paul, George, Ringo, and… Editer?

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The Beatles Rock Band is definitely one of the hits of the show, so much so that Harmonix was taking next-day appointments just to see the demo. I finally got in today to see the presentation—a six-person Harmonix band on stage—and to try the game for myself.

rockband Horrible screeching sound traced to Xbox Games Editor, far right.

A group as timeless as The Beatles is bound to attract fans of all ages, and The Beatles Rock Band is the most accessible and friendly music game yet when it comes to accommodating newbies at parties and family gatherings. If Grandma decides she wants to join in, you can turn on No Fail mode right from the sign-in screen; no navigating through menu. In fact, anyone playing on Easy is automatically set up in No Fail mode, so more experienced players can concentrate on the music instead of trying to save the noobs before they fail everyone out of the song. Also, all 45 included songs are unlocked from the outset; the game has other rewards for working through the campaign.

HUD-02

The game adds support for two additional microphones for singing harmonies. You can play with up to six players, or, since only one controller is required to set up all of the microphone parts, set up mike stands and let some players double up on both instruments and harmonies. The additional vocal parts just add to the score, so enthusiastic-but-bad singers won’t trash your results—they’ll just add a bonus when they do manage to hit the right notes.

The videos that play during the songs take place in venues from throughout The Beatles career, from the bar in Hamburg through the final rooftop concert. For some songs that aren’t really conducive to playing in front of hordes of screaming fans, Harmonix has created “Dreamscapes”—fantasy settings in the style of The Beatles’ album covers and cartoons. “Octopus’s Garden” takes place in a recording studio under the sea, and I’m just not even going to try to describe the “I am the Walrus” video. And there are lots of other Beatles-esque touches throughout, such as messages letting you know you’re doing “Triple-Fab!”

If your favorite tune from The Beatles isn’t included in the initial 45, don’t despair. As you’d expect, Harmonix will be opening the downloadable song pipeline soon after the game ships. First up is the entire Abbey Road album, as well as the Xbox 360-exclusive single “All You Need is Love.” Best of all, profits from the single will go to support Doctors Without Borders.

Hofner

If you don’t already have a full set of plastic instruments, replica Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars will be available as stand-alone music peripherals for the game. The full kit includes McCartney’s Hofner bass and a Ringo-esque set of drums. The Beatles Rock Band ships on September 9, 2009. “Number 9… Number 9…. Number 9….”

Comments

  • Anonymous
    June 04, 2009
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    June 04, 2009
    Back in the day, we called it "Air Guitar." Alot cheaper too. No games to purchse nor fanzy controlers. "All you need is music!"

  • Anonymous
    June 04, 2009
    Back in the day, we called it "Air Guitar." Alot cheaper too. No games to purchse nor fanzy controlers. "All you need is music!"

  • Anonymous
    June 07, 2009
    wow this game will be very boring the beatles arent the ROCK BAND!! type band the songs just arent going to be fun and exiting to play.

  • Anonymous
    June 09, 2009
    WOW, I wonder whose making money off of this HORRIBLE idea.

  • Anonymous
    June 13, 2009
    First off, this is a good idea. The Beatles are one of the founder fathers of rock and roll, period. You younger folk just are too closed-minded to see it. Personally I listen to rock from the sixties through today, spanning every type of rock, alternative, metal, etc. Why? Because I'm open minded. This is going to be a FUN game. If you don't like it, don't buy it and certainly shut up about it.