Outside of innovative titles such as Rez, few music games have attempted to be more than simple “press the button when the icon is in the right position” rhythm games. That formula was the basis of Parappa the Rapper, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band, and has proved highly successful with wannabe music mavens. Fortunately, developer [...]
An argument can be made that music games didn’t push the envelope in 2010 and I would not disagree. Still, Lego Rock Band dared to be slightly different by combing Harmonix’ familiar mechanics with TT Fusion’s whimsical aesthetic. Aimed at letting everyone from junior to grandpa get in on the virtual jam sessions, Lego Rock [...]
My biggest gripe against the rhythm game genre as a whole is the heavy reliance and focus of the guitar as the central gameplay element. Certainly, it would be insane for me to expect games /platforms entitled Guitar Hero and Rock Band to have a killer tuba peripheral and accompanying songs, but would a Tuba [...]
When Harmonix released Rock Band for iPhone earlier this month, many pundits deemed that Tapulous and its successful Tap Tap Revenge series was doomed to be crushed by the face of virtual music games. Even if that knee-jerk response happens to prove correct, Tapulous ain’t going out without tossing roundhouses; the company announced that Tap [...]
Lego’s push into the video game world has resulted in the creation of several fun, family-friendly titles that have deftly balanced lighthearted, comical gameplay and the quirky, colorful quality associated with the plastic bricks. Even the most diehard fans would confess that the games leaned a tad kidde in respect to challenge, but that changes [...]
Virtual Vox Pop is a weekly open mic in which we ask you, the reader, to sound off on a particular topic. This week, it’s music. Music and videogames have been kissy kissy bedfellows almost since the hobby’s inception. Pong-era titles were typically sound effects-laden games that lacked any discernible melody, but by the time [...]
I’m not one to judge (lord, knows that I’ve participated in my fair share of geeky activities), but this chiptunes dance party held in Brooklyn, New York showcases rhythmically-challenged nerds who pretty much define the geek stereotype. Still, you have to admire the lack of care as arms flail and dance steps fail. Like Marvin [...]
DJ Jazzy Jeff may be best known for being tossed on his ass by Uncle Phil every week, but the part-time TV star is actually an accomplished, Grammy Award winning producer, and famous turntablist. As such, it’s only fitting that he’s joining the legendary Grandmaster Flash, DJ Shadow, DJ AM, and other wax-masters in Activision’s [...]
Harmonix and MTV games have done a stellar job of torturing music-sim fans desperate to don mop-tops and skinny suits. After revealing snippets of the 45 on-disc songs at E3, the two companies have decided to toss us dogs a bone by revealing 15 tracks from The Beatles: Rock Band. The songs span the Fab [...]
Imagine you’re Rick Rocket, ace star pilot, who’s just saved the known universe from destruction at the hands of invading alien forces. What would you expect upon the completion of your mission? Accolades? Fanfare? Wealth? How about doing the whole damn over again due to a rift in the time-space continuum – – but in [...]
