Question for those that played it

[skyehill]

The big complaint we've (or at least I've) read about in comparison to Guitar Hero 3 is that the guitar parts in RB are far too easy, even on the highest difficulty. Has anyone seen proof that this isn't true? I'm happy we're getting drum parts etc etc, but ultimately I want/need the guitar part to be every bit as good as GH1 and GH2. After seeing the final setlist for GH3 and reading Scorehero's preview, I'm buying that game on day 1. It also sounds like the GH3 guitar is superior to the RB guitar.

[jq71586]

You can't really compare the two setlists. There is a reason the game is called GUITAR Hero, the tracks are all chosen because they focus on the guitar sections. Songs are picked for Rock Band because they have an all around equality to them to include drums, bass, and vocals.

[Saltines]

GH3 is going to lead in difficulty. That's not a big surprise though. How fun would it be if all the songs in RB had constant intense solos to really test your skill? The guitarist would be the only one enjoying that and it would ruin the formula of the game. Guitar hero is all about guitar. It's best suited for those harder songs.

[R0ck3r]

You can't really compare the two setlists. There is a reason the game is called GUITAR Hero, the tracks are all chosen because they focus on the guitar sections. Songs are picked for Rock Band because they have an all around equality to them to include drums, bass, and vocals.

Exactly, Guitar Hero focuses on finding some of the most influential, catchy, difficult guitar parts (which is why theres a lack of bass most of the time) and Rock Band focuses on having an all-around experience for everybody playing it and making it enjoyable for any career mode that you decide to play.

[Ultrace]

If you're looking for the hardcore challenge, then GH3 is your pick this season. But if it's fun that you're after, Rock Band is the place. That isn't to say that GH doesn't have fun, and RB doesn't have challenge, but they don't appear to be the focus of either game. RB is like the Wii to GH3's PS3... Designed for a slightly more casual crowd... And hopefully able to sell a lot more as a result. :)

[PsycoCheerio]

Well I got to play both at WCG this weekend and "Wanted Dead or Alive" seemed to be just as difficult if not more difficult than "The Metal" (the hardest playable GH3 song there). So it's not all going to be super easy guitar...

[Magnet]

The big complaint we've (or at least I've) read about in comparison to Guitar Hero 3 is that the guitar parts in RB are far too easy, even on the highest difficulty. Has anyone seen proof that this isn't true?

If anything, we've seen proof that it is true. This is not a factor of them "dumbing down" the note charts, but rather a consequence of song selection. But since this isn't Guitar Hero 3, there's no problems with that. The guitar career will probably be similar to a Guitar Hero game, but it will be easier overall. Most people tend to forget that at least 50% of the songs in each of the Guitar Hero games are pretty easy on Expert as well. And we've mostly only been seeing Expert guitar videos for the early RB guitar songs. It won't be as challenging as GH3, but it was never meant to be. Guitar-specific DLC is planned, so if you can wait, you should be happy about that.


I'm happy we're getting drum parts etc etc, but ultimately I want/need the guitar part to be every bit as good as GH1 and GH2.

A good portion of the crowd raised on GH wants that, but it's just not going to happen. This game isn't like adding in an arbitrary drum part into Guitar Hero only to accompany someone who's playing Guitar Hero. To be honest, 90% of the bass guitar parts in Guitar Hero II and GH:80s were boring. That's because the guitar parts were looked at for those games long before any other instrument. However, with RB, songs on the disc are chosen so that each player is important to the song and each instrument is interesting. It's not like they're choosing songs great for the guitar and then going back and making sure that the song has some bass, drums, and vocals. It's a much more coherent process than that to make sure that the game will be the best that it can for all four players.


After seeing the final setlist for GH3 and reading Scorehero's preview, I'm buying that game on day 1. It also sounds like the GH3 guitar is superior to the RB guitar.

You should buy GH3, it's looking pretty cool. The Strat vs. the Les Paul will end up being a player preference since they are going to be so dramatically different.

[skyehill]

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll definitely be buying both games.

[icantwaitforrockband]

Guitar-specific DLC is planned, so if you can wait, you should be happy about that.

Mind posting the link to that info? I've heard this mentioned before but haven't seen the proof...

[Magnet]

Here's the link to the guitar DLC info...

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200709/N07.0914.1002.29748.htm


One thing Rock Band has going for it is Harmonix’s ambitious download strategy. While the current song list contained on disc is geared toward band-oriented gameplay, the company has plans to release songs and entire albums directed toward guitar parts. So shredders who feel like their best licks are going unused in the standard career path can take consolation knowing that—if Harmonix delivers on their promises—they’ll be able to show off their moves in earnest eventually.

[Nfsjunkie91]

Well I got to play both at WCG this weekend and "Wanted Dead or Alive" seemed to be just as difficult if not more difficult than "The Metal" (the hardest playable GH3 song there).

Dragonforce ring a bell?

[icantwaitforrockband]

Here's the link to the guitar DLC info...

Thanks...



Dragonforce ring a bell?

I think he meant "playable" as in what they could actually play at that time. DragonForce probably wasn't on the list!

[Nfsjunkie91]

Thanks...




I think he meant "playable" as in what they could actually play at that time. DragonForce probably wasn't on the list!

Ah, I see, I didn't realize that he said "hardest song there," instead of just "hardest song."

[RkBndDrmr]

You have to remember there are lots of people out there that are not guitar gods as well. It would be no fun if they keep failing the song as the others are left to play.

"While the current song list contained on disc is geared toward band-oriented gameplay" Pretty much sums it up.

[skeltonath]

Well I got to play both at WCG this weekend and "Wanted Dead or Alive" seemed to be just as difficult if not more difficult than "The Metal" (the hardest playable GH3 song there). So it's not all going to be super easy guitar...

Is it the 5 song demo? If so, isn't Take This Life on there? I thought that would be harder than The Metal.

[Hopton]

i would actually say its kinda tough, this coming from someone who has beaten ALL of gh2 on expert. you have to be alot more percise on when u hit the notes. idk, its tough, but gh is of course directed to only guitar while this is all around. kinda would be a buzzkill if only the guitar player was having fun

[skyehill]

i would actually say its kinda tough, this coming from someone who has beaten ALL of gh2 on expert. you have to be alot more percise on when u hit the notes. idk, its tough, but gh is of course directed to only guitar while this is all around. kinda would be a buzzkill if only the guitar player was having fun


That's a problem. I don't want the game to be harder because the timing to press the buttons was made harder, I want the difficulty to come from the note/chord progressions getting harder. Sounds like GH3 got this right. They increased the time you have to hit the notes, but then also chose songs that are inherently more difficult to play. That just, to me at least, sounds like a better recipe for making a fun, and difficult music game.

[Apples]

If and when some challenging guitar charts surface, the extra set of solo buttons is going to add a whole new dimension to the equation (more so than a gimmicky battle mode IMHO).

So even with the lack of a Dragonforce-esque chart on the front page, I think it prudent to reserve judgement. The same people who did GH1 and 2 didn't suddenly grow stupid overnight and a song doesn't need loads of wild flailing to be fun.