You know those guitars that are like double-guitars? We want that.
iPhone Rock Band is out now, and the videogame franchise hits most of the right notes in its transition. Instead of jamming on fake, plastic instruments or singing with your real voice, you'll tap the iPhone screen. I've been playing gigs on a newly released version of the game on a current iPod touch and have enjoyed it overall.
iPhone Rock Band tries to copy as much as it can from the console videogame. The look closely resembles the full game, borrowing much of the same graphics between songs. If you trip up and miss some of the notes, the audio cuts out and you'll get a mis-hit sound just as in the regular game; guitars squeak and drumsticks clank off the rim. These touches are exciting for new players and familiar to Rock Band pros.
Call in sick if you're asked to "sing."
In some areas, I wanted more features borrowed from the console game. You can't customize your character, which would be a great way to play on the iPhone. The guitar, bass, and drum modes follow the same tap-to-the-pattern style, but if you try to "sing" in the game, you just tap to preset patterns that sort of match vocal lyrics. It’s an annoying way to play if you know and like the lyrics, and it's a disaster if you don't.
Other times, I wanted the iPhone version to set its own direction instead of following the franchise. If you nail a string of special notes, you'll charge up a bonus meter; lift up on the iPhone to engage those points. But the iPhone it too sensitive, sometimes wasting bonus energy by turning itself on, and other times, I couldn't get it to activate. The system just doesn't feel right here, especially since you have to shake the screen while trying to see the current notes.
Be a heavy-metal drummer.
Rock Band on the iPhone ships with 20 songs, including tracks from the Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Steve Miller Band, AFI, and other acts familiar to music gamers. A download store will progressively release more tracks available in $.99 two-packs, including those from OK Go, Devo, Lenny Kravitz, and others. An EA spokesperson said there would be 10 songs in the near future, but wouldn’t comment about how many songs would be added after that.
You're also be able to play multiplayer games over Bluetooth, collaborating with up to three friends in a live band. (I wasn't able to sample this mode in my preview.) A Facebook option will sync your performance with friends online, but you won't be able to play together live over the Internet.
It's just like you're fake rocking back on the Xbox.
Rock Band should be as good as any iPhone music game, especially with downloadable tracks to expand your playlist. It'll be a strong iPhone clone of the console game, but I was hoping it would take the iPhone's features into deeper account, branching out more from this familiar ground.
