September 13, 2009
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This past week, “The Beatles” have once again entered into the mainstream (did they ever leave it?) by releasing their albums once again in the original mono and newly remastered stereo versions. However it’s probably the release of “The Beatles : Rock Band” to the current video game consoles out now, that’s more significant to the youth of today. A combined effort by Harmonix (creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band), Electronic Arts, MTV, Apple Corps Ltd, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison, and Yoko Ono Lennon, have released a very very special video game that successfully represents this celebrated, popular and influential band.
The Beatles : Rock Band is quite beautiful to look at, with great virtual facsimiles of Paul, John, George, and Ringo, recreated areas that the band played at (venues and studios), and even creative imagery that go with the songs (The Abbey Road Studio sessions in particular are simply gorgeous to look at). This game also follows the band’s history from it’s beginnings at The Cavern Club in 1963 to their very last public performance together at the rooftops of the Apple Corps building, as well as bonus photos, audios, videos, historical information about the group, and some animated sequences that are just a wonder to see. Containing 45 songs by the band, with additional songs that you can download in the near future, this game is a great demonstration of the band’s musical prowess, which covers so many musical genres that it’s incredible to hear what they were able to accomplish in less than a decades time. Since the game probably won’t be able to have all the songs by The Beatles, it’s highly lucky there will be many favorites that unfortunately will not appear on this game.
Like the other Rock Band related video games out there, The Beatles : Rock Band plays very similar to those, and also supports those plastic guitar and drum game controllers (Guitar Hero instruments too), as well as up to three game compatible USB/wireless mics. In a purely gaming stand point, this game’s difficulty is relatively easier than the other music game counterparts out there. Admittedly, it’s not like game developer Harmonix can make The Beatles’ music any harder (or easier) than they already are in real life, and this way the game will be accessible to those who don’t have much experience playing video games in the first place. For the video game novices, they can always just use this game like a karaoke machine, and the ability to do vocal harmonies simultaneously supporting three singers total is a huge plus. For video game veterans out there purely looking for a challenging music game, The Beatles:RB honestly may not necessarily be for you. Despite the long replay value the game has, the “story mode” itself isn’t that long, and can be beaten within three hours. I consider these complaints quite minor really, because the production value and quality is so top notch.
The Beatles : Rock Band by far is currently the best single band music rhythm game out there (even beating “Guitar Hero : Metallica,” which was the best single band music rhythm game around when that was released). The combination of the game play, the songs, the graphics, the personality, the history, etc… was just so well put together here that it was very easy for me to feel euphoric while playing this game (and kinda emotional at the last songs on top of the Apple Corps rooftop).
If you are a huge fan of The Beatles, you’ll definitely want this game. If you are a mild fan of The Beatles, you’ll want this game. If you aren’t a fan of The Beatles, what’s wrong with you?! I keed. Seriously though, check this game out.
- The Beatles : Rock Band is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Nintendo Wii game consoles.
- Courtesy of “poopsam” from gamefaqs.com – Here’s something you can do to watch the dreamscapes, while being able to listen to the full song. All you need is a mic and a controller, so plug in those two. Then go to the game and load it up. Once you’re at the main menu, go to the game modifiers and turn on performance mode. Then go to quickplay, play as the singer, and then toggle No Fail – Mode to make it it so it’s on. The you’re set. Pick a song, play it on any difficulty, and then watch and enjoy.
- You can also connect the drum’s pedal to the guitar, and use that to activate “beatlemania.”- top 10 things you didn’t know about The Beatles (link)
- All the Beatles songs on youtube, with lyrics, and annotations (link)
What Beatles Song Are You?
You Are “All You Need is Love”
In some ways, you are a bit of hippie. You think that peace is still very undervalued in this world.You feel like people make life too complex. Happiness is often as simple as just allowing yourself to be happy.
There isn’t much people really need in this life. If you’re truly loved, then you’re lucky.
