Xboxist

Who Will "Rock" in 2008?

Wanna hear something delicious? I bet you do! So, you heard of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, right? Who hasn't? Well, did you realize there's a little promiscuity between them through a third party called "Harmonix?" Yep! Both franchises had done business with Harmonix. Boy! Talk about everyone getting a turn to strum your guitar, if you know what I'm saying! Also, did you know a third competitor will debut this year in the music band genre? Oh, yes! With three games competing for the #1 best rock game in 2008, which one will outshine the rest? I'll briefly touch on the relationship between Harmonix, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band, introduce the third competitor, and provide the differences between each game's band equipment with some expected gaming features and setlists. Let's get to it!

So in the beginning, there was Guitar Hero - simple, fun, and well-liked. Harmonix had a relationship with Guitar Hero. It seemed like a match made in heaven until MTV acquired Harmonix in an acquisition. Soon after, the two created the ever-popular Rock Band with wireless guitars, a rocking drummer's kit, and microphone. But what I heard (and this is sheer rumor) Guitar Hero wasn't keen about Harmonix's drummer kit idea, so Harmonix jumped ship to MTV. Anyhow, Rock Band reigns champion of the music band genre.

Now the third competitor, Rock Revolution, is from the creators of Dance Dance Revolution (hence the title) Konami. Rock Revolution's goal is to seduce every Rock Band and Guitar Hero player to beat their drum heads and strum their guitars, but can they bring it? We thinks not. Rock Revolution is expected to release a strange looking 7-pad drum kit, nothing reminiscent to a typical shaped drum set. Also, they're launching with a measly 40 song line-up. Um, Konami? Offer a little bit more if you want some of our attention. However, since Konami is releasing Rock Revolution with a 7-pad drum kit, what will Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises provide?

Guitar Hero World Tour is introducing their very first drum kit and microphone. (A little behind-the-times if I don't say so myself.) The drum kit consists of three drum heads, two cymbals, and a bass pedal. Rock Band 2 is releasing an upgraded drum kit in the form of its original. The upgraded kit includes: velocity pads (the harder you drum, the louder each sound will produce in-game), softer heads to muffle the "clack" noise while improving a drummer's bounce, reinforcing the bass pedal, and providing expansion slots for cymbals. In addition to Rock Band's 2 upgraded drum kit, ION is selling a premium (and sweet, might I add) drummer's set with four drum heads, three cymbals, and a bass pedel at $299, which also functions as a stand-alone electronic drummer's set. ION's premium drummer set is sold separately. Besides the instruments, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 are expected to release with approximately 80 tracks, downloadable content, and near backwards compatibility with previous purchased songs. Do you still remember the newcomer Rock Revolution? Right, I thought not. Rock Band 2 announced their setlist at E3, as reported by 1UP.

Who do you think will rock as the best rock game in 2008? Will it be the newcomer Rock Revolution, the late to introduce band instruments Guitar Hero World Tour, or the every rocking Rock Band 2? You tell us! Leave a comment.