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Rock Band 2

EMAIL PRINT ps3

8.0 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 24 critic reviews
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Based on 32 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: MTV Games

Developer: Harmonix

Genre(s): Music, Rhythm Action

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 19, 2008

Summary

Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including: Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download. The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock's most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings. Major new and dynamic online modes that connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally. More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments. [MTV]

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GAMES: Rock Band

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

The best music game currently available. [Feb 2010, p.72]

Play UK

With the incredible tracklist, tweaked engine, new modes and the overwhelming quantity of extra songs available for download, this is easily the best rhythm action game currently sitting on store shelves. It must be said the guitars are still second best, but then nothing’s perfect.

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GameFocus

If the first game was a success on so many levels, the sequel brings the same success back but pushes it so high that at this point it will be hard for anyone to catch it up. I can’t finish my review without saying that if you never experienced Rock Band, you’re definitely missing something really special.

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PGNx Media

Ultimately, Rock Band 2 is a fantastic title and one that is highly recommended.

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TotalPlayStation

Add in the fact that Guitar Hero instruments work with Rock Band (and vice-versa), Trophy support and a ton of new music and you have a package that's every bit as attractive as the first game, if not more.

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Playstation Universe

Rock Band 2 isn’t a “true” sequel, but it’s the best encore we've ever experienced. Warn your neighbors – this may be their last proper night of sleep for months.

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Gamer 2.0

Rock Band 2 is a solid sequel. Harmonix smoothed out most of the rough edges and added enough new stuff to warrant the full priced upgrade.

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PSX Extreme

On top of including the songs from RB1, they've also gone and fixed nearly every single issue we've complained about, and then some!

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GameZone

It doesn't get much better than when four people all come together and score a five star on a really rocking song (like Spoonman). This is gaming bliss.

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1UP

The real attraction here is the game's Sticky Fingers-like bulge of music.

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PSM3 Magazine UK

Makes you feel more like being in a band, edging out its near rivals. [Issue#174, p.72]

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

You'd best get ready to rock. [Holiday 2008, p.70]

Gamestyle

Rock Band 2 really is the game Rock Band should have been in the first place, but it's nothing more than that.

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Playstation Official Magazine UK

The seamless integration of its previous content is a massive boon for Rock Band 2 that gives it depth "Guitar Hero" can't offer yet. [Christmas 2008, p.112]

DarkZero

This is a worthy sequel with a look and feel that are more polished than last year’s effort.

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Vandal Online

You can say its not very innovative in comparison with the original game. But this is a minor thing if we take into account that this is without doubt the best game in the genre, and a great achievement if we consider the great struggle with its rival, that doesn't lose grip.

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GameDaily

Just as sweet as the original. The new Challenge mode, Battle of the Bands and tweaks to the World Tour mode will keep you playing for months.

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Eurogamer Portugal

Rock Band 2 may be considered one of the best in the genre, if not the best. If you are a fan of the genre and like large doses of fun, then do not hesitate, Rock Band 2 is waiting for you.

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PS3bloggen.se

Whilst improving on practically everything that wasn't up to par in the original, this sequel is really only marred by it's delayed release schedule in Europe. A must for all music lovers out there.

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IGN

Rock Band 2 improves in several areas over the original. The track list is better, the difficulty has been bumped up, it's more accessible, all previously released DLC works from the get-go, and Battle of the Bands is a brilliant online mode. But there's no getting around the fact that almost nothing was done to the main mode, World Tour.

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Games Master UK

A brilliant expansion to one of the year's best games. [Jan 2009, p.74]

NZGamer

Overall Rock Band 2 makes a few welcome changes to a solid rhythm action title – and the overall soundtrack is a big step up.

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InsideGamer.nl

Rock Band 2 is a great follow-up to an already good game. The improved track list and World Tour mode, and the implementation of some interesting new options make for a great sequel.

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GameSpot

Even though Rock Band 2 plays it safe with only minor improvements and additions, it still rocks.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tim gave it a9:
The constantly expanding library of downloadable songs makes this likely to be the most-played game you ever purchase. Every new song brings added depth to the game in a way no other "fixed" video game could hope to do. I have found that I have spent more money on additional downloaded songs than I did on the original game! I didn't play the original Rock Band game, so I can't comment on any improvements that were made, which I don't think matters as there are few people that would buy RB2 for the improvements--if you own RB, you'll likely buy RB2 (game only version) for the songs. Anyway, here are the pros and cons as I see them. The songs included with RB2 span a mix of genres and decades. This means that like me, you'll probably find quite a few you never heard of, bands you don't know and several you don't like. There are probably enough songs in the initial set to enjoy, but you'll want to plan to spend more money downloading songs you really like. When you form a band, you need to play sets at various venues in order to earn fans and money. Sometimes the set lists chosen by the game can be rather strange mixes of genres and/or skill levels. This means that sometimes, in order to play in band mode, you're forced to play songs you don't like (or even hate). Other times, you play a song with a high-star rating (difficulty level) for your instrument, followed by an easy song. When I make my own setlist in Quick Play mode, I prefer to stick to the songs I like and start off with more warm-up songs, eventually finishing with the hardest. Band mode should work the same way. I think it would be a great improvement if you could rate the songs and have them stored with your character. That way, in Band mode you won't get stuck playing songs you hate. As a minimum, the option to include/exclude songs from being in your list would be nice. Another nice feature would be the ability to disable songs from even showing in the list--something like a parental mode. This way, I don't have to scroll past songs I'll never play. These limitations in Band mode mean that we most often play in Quick Play mode. That way we can choose songs we like and want to play, which lets the whole family get in on the action. Another minor quibble is that when playing in Quick Play mode, I don't get to choose my character. Worse still, the game may end up pairing you with a character of the opposite sex. At least the game should offer the ability to select any of the built-in characters, but why not allow you to play your own character, even if you don't get any fans or money? A small number of downloadable songs are cover versions. I believe most, if not all, were from the early days before bands and record labels realized the positive value of being a part of this video game genre. Certainly, the number of cover songs isn't anything like the Guitar Hero games (especially the first and second versions). However, I don't think the cover versions should cost the same as "real" songs. There are some cover versions of songs I'd like to play, but I won't buy them on principle. The only other thing I would change or improve is that I think there should be a skill level that uses the fifth fret before you get into the more complex chords and fingering. Since I wouldn't want to add another skill level, I would suggest that the medium skill level have some single-note fifth fret buttons in songs. I think of all the songs I've played on medium, I've seen that maybe once or twice--I can't even remember for sure. Even with those wish-list items, RB2 is a great game. This game advances way beyond air-guitaring to your favorite songs to the radio, or even playing the guitar in a game like GH. While the guitar is my favorite of the instruments to play, I've played them all and sometimes enjoy the challenge of the other instruments. For an even bigger challenge, you can try combining vocals with guitar or drums (mike stand, purchased separately, obviously needed). The great thing about this game is that no ability to play a musical instrument is needed. I've hosted Rock Band parties and had friends that never played the game before, some who played instruments and some who didn't. Ironically, it seemed as though the people that didn't know how to play the guitar found it a little easier to play the game since they didn't have to overcome any guitar-playing instincts. Either way, the learning curve is only a few songs. Being able to play like a rock star is a real hook to enjoying the game and letting each player choose an individual skill level lets everyone enjoy the game at the same time. This is my favorite go-to video game when I want to play for ten minutes or two hours. Unlike other games which get shelved and forgotten despite my best intentions, the instruments stay in the corner of the room, at the ready for the next session.

Mikko M gave it a7:
Whatever nice things Rock Band 2 adds and fixes from the first game, it messes up in the track list. Most of the songs are pretty dull and give an impression that this game is tailored to the US masses. No amount of nice content can counter the feeling of not having fun playing the game. The few happy occasions are when you stumble into the RB1 songs, your bought content or the few good tracks. Check the full song list before buying.

Billy K gave it a10:
Best game this generation. I own both GH:WT & RB2 and while both are fun, Rock Band 2 is definitely the better game in almost every respect.

Tom Tom gave it a10:
Rock Band 2 presents all the best aspects of the first edition, plus it fixed the few aspects that needed improvement. My favorite point is that you can transfer your songs from RB1 to RB2, which potentially gives you a huge library of songs available to you in RB2. In addition, you receive 20 free downloadable songs with your purchase of RB2, so you should be ready to rock for some time. If you still haven't had enough, there are tons of songs available for download from the Playstation Network, so you can play your hearts out. Rock Band 2 is simply put the ultimate party game, and one that is guaranteed to keep you entertained for many, many hours.

John J. gave it a10:
Harmonix fixed everything that they could've possibly fixed from the first game and adding all of these extra songs from DLC and Rock Band 1 make the total playlist staggeringly huge.

Tom W. gave it an8:
Its a very good game, it is much different from rock band 1, you get more selection of levels,you get to hire staff to help your band out, and LOTS more songs, this game can go on forever, but there is only one problem, most of the songs are the same, and they get boring after a while, and you just wish you played a totally different song with a crazy solo. if I were you, i would buy this game.

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