MSNBC: Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour?

Follow the yellow brick road to MSNBC and I’ll tell you my thoughts… sorta. For those that have played both, which do you prefer?

—November 13, 2008

6 Comments

Sam

Nov 13, 2008 at 10:56 pm

That article has got to be a joke! Does the writer know anything about music video games? Guitar hero is a good game but how is it innovative? Rock band has been out for nearly a year and GH is very clearly copying that formula. Has the writer ever played rock band 1/2? Calling RB instruments inferior is ridiculous. The quality of both is high. In many ways RB instruments are superior. RB drums allow for more ‘configurations’ e.g. A 4 tom roll is possible in RB but not GH. Suggesting that GH improves vocals by having two ways to read the lyrics? That’s laughable. RB has had that since RB1. While DLC was mentioned, chasm between the two wasn’t even hinted at. RB has nearly 50x the dlc of GH. Also, why not have a title that matches the article like “For no justifiable reason I will blindly claim Guitar Hero is better”?

Mark

Nov 14, 2008 at 10:08 am

Hey Troll, (aka Sam)

Clearly you are letting your biased opinion affect how you interpret the article. I don’t see how you got “Guitar Hero is better” by reading the article. I read it as “depending on what features you are looking for in a music game, you might like RB or GH. Heck, if you are really into music games, you might want both”. That’s how I read it. But you continue to be a troll and let your RB fanboy inner self dictate your opinions. That’s cool.

PS. Technically you could do a 5 tom roll in GH because of the 5 pads. The song would just have to use the cymbals as toms, which could be done.

Sam

Nov 14, 2008 at 11:22 am

Hey Mark,

I’m sorry if it seemed like I was trolling, that wasn’t the point. My first point is that he had poor knowledge of the games (things like the vocal options mean he never pressed pause) and cited cited false benefits. 3 pads, pedal and 2 raised cymbals are easier to play? Neversoft even claims that their set is more realistic (and hopefully real drums are harder than fake ones). He says rock band has easier navigation but ignores far more important facts like the large disparity in dlc (yes 50x was hyperbole), vastly improved mo-cap in GH, or the whole multiple-songs-per-artist question. My second point was that he made an assertion “it’s a matter of choice” but then supported it with facts like rock band instruments are “inferior” (note that’s unconditional) and that guitar hero is for “experienced rhythm game fans.” Meaning that rock band is for the inexperienced? That’s clearly pro-guitar hero. The only negative mentioned was the reliability of GH instruments to which he recanted towards the end of the paragraph.

PS Yes, you could do a 5 tom roll over cymbals but there’s the problem, you’d be over cymbals. That’s completely unnatural and completely defeats the purpose of having cymbals if they’re toms.

Blake Snow

Nov 14, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Sam,

It seems you prefer Rock Band 2 to World Tour and were thus sensitive to the criticisms rendered against the former, even if the review clearly stated both games are a blast to play, the choice is a “matter of taste,” and rabid music fans will want to “buy both.”

I made a mistake in my review on Rock Band’s vocal option, however, having never seen others or pressed start myself to select it while singing. As you may or may not know, WT gives you the option before playing each song, so it’s more visible. I also neglected to try the “drum trainer” mode in Rock Band 1/2 because I am a proud drummer, and thus I didn’t know you could play the set freely in that mode like in WT’s music studio. I’m working with my editor to correct those points.

In my review, I said the “kick pedal was easier” to use in WT because it is, requiring less force to depress than the RB1/2 pedal. Regarding the online store, which is a nice bonus, I was tasked with reviewing what comes in the box, so that’s why I only mentioned it because downloads cost extra.

Some other thoughts: “Inferior” means “lower in rank” when compared to something else, not “bad.” While RB1/2 drums work fine, it is my opinion that WT instruments are more compelling and their drum tab is more authentic.

I don’t believe “musicians” and long-time aka “experienced rhythm game fans” are better people than casual game players or people who like online play, so no offense was intended there, assuming you took offense from that comment.

Lastly, I reserve the right to like one game over the other having played both extensively. In this case, I believe WT is slightly better than RB2 because I value the instruments more. But for the most part, the comparison is a wash because seemingly half of all WT drums are buggy. They can be fixed for free, but the extra effort is annoying.

In the end, I encourage prospective band game buyers to weigh what’s important to them before making a choice. That may or may not align with my personal taste, to which I say fine. And believe it or not, I wouldn’t jeopardize my three year career as a critic, my professional reputation, and more than 3,000 published articles to “blindly” support a hidden agenda.

Man would it be cool if people could disagree without always crying foul.

Mark

Nov 14, 2008 at 1:29 pm

Sam,

It’s evident that you love Rock Band. There is nothing wrong with that. I’ve played both games, but like them both for different reasons. It just so happens that most of the article is right in line with my feelings towards both games.

First, the Software: (which seems to be your biggest gripe with the article). The overall band experience is better on Rock Band. This is true when playing with friends. It just seems to work better from the meter on the left side to being able to save a failing friend. Also a no fail mode is nice when playing with non-gamers. I believe this is what the article was trying to point out. Non gamers (inexperienced) can play Rock Band with greater ease because of the software.

However, Guitar Hero presents a better single player game. The guitar tabs are fun and more challenging. The slide solos are sweet. Five pads for the drum make it more challenging and the new open bass guitar note is sweet and fun. On top of that, you can create your own songs that provide hours of creativity.

Hardware:
This is really a matter of preference since most instruments are compatible with both software. I never liked the guitar on Rock Band, so I’ve always used the old GH guitar while playing Rock Band. The new guitar for GH is even better. The touch screen adds a new level of difficulty and enjoyment. Tapping and solos have never been better.

The drums, again, is a matter of taste. You like to do a tom roll which is just fine. I like the pretending I’m hitting a high hat and crash cymbal. Either way is just fine.

Online:
Rock Band has more DLC because it has been doing DLC longer. It also seems a little more refined.

Guitar Hero has user made content for free. Pick up and play is weighed down with wonky menus.

Overall:
I will be one that is getting both games. Rock Band (software only cause I personally like the toy instruments better from GH) for when the friends and family are over and Guitar Hero for my single player enjoyment.

Nick

Nov 17, 2008 at 4:24 pm

This just confirms what I’ve always known: when online, it’s impossible to start a polite discussion on politics, religion and Rock Band / Guitar Hero preference … simply impossible.

Blake Snow

writer-for-hire, content guy, bestselling author

MSNBC: Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour?

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