For music game fans and "Beatlemaniacs", Beatles Rock Band is a dream come true.
We've had so many of these music games lately, that you may wonder what makes Beatles any different, and if it's worth checking out. If you like the Beatles, then it's worth checking out. That's the bottom line. Harmonix had to make this their best effort. Being the first to obtain the Beatles music, The Beatles name had to remain the name that represents music in its highest of quality. Even 40 years after the Beatles broke up, they are still the standard in music innovation and art, even in the world of gaming now, thanks to Harmonix.
The game plays like any other game in the Rock Band series. You can play with a guitar (also used for bass), drums, or sing. Beatles Rock Band is the first game that allows up to 4 players to sing on one song. That's because the Beatles sang vocal harmonies on their songs. The new element adds more interaction and challenge to the multi-player experience. The track listing consists of 45 songs from the Beatles legendary catalog. No Beatles song is terrible, so even if Harmonix decided to use random.org to make their list, it would still be a good one. The exclusion of "Yer Blues" is unforgivable. It's one of the Beatles best gritty rockers. I guess a song about suicide may take away from the family feel. Oh well. "Birthday", "Back In the USSR", "Helter Skelter", "Come Together", "And Your Bird Can Sing", "Don't Let Me Down", "Getting Better", "I Saw Her Standing There" and "I'm Looking Through You" are some of the awesome tracks included. I like the fact that Harmonix put in songs such as "Dear Prudence", "Here Comes the Sun", and "I Am the Walrus" as well. Those songs are ones that would not seem to fit into a rock music game, but Harmonix makes it work perfectly.
Beatles Rock Band is not an extremely easy game. The difficulty may be just below other music games, but these songs can be challenging. Beatles Rock Band focuses on the music and art, and experience of sharing a good time with these classic songs. The Beatles characters are very well animated, and contain great personality. Harmonix did a great job with the art in the game. You start out playing in the Cavern. Then work your way through the Beatles career. On "Yellow Submarine", the Beatles are under-water, with the Yellow Sub traveling through the sea. "I Am the Walrus" is a rendition of the original music video for the song. All of the songs are really renditions of the Beatles Live performances and music videos. The animation and wild visualization really captures the feel of the 60s, and the Beatles' music.
Extras include never before seen photos, videos, and sound bites. Something any Beatles fan can appreciate. Thankfully we can download more Beatles' songs online via Xbox Live. "Abbey Road", "Sgt. Pepper's", and "Rubber Soul" are all available to download, in their entirety. If you like Beatles music and music games. Then this game is one you are guaranteed to enjoy.