Rock Band 4 Reviews
Overall, there really isn't much more I can say about Rock Band 4. If you enjoyed the series before, you'll enjoy this one. There are some nice neat touches that will appeal and keep things fresh for absolute veterans of the series, but it's still accessible enough for you to throw onto your system when your friends have had a few beers at a party. The best party game of the last generation finally makes its way to the new consoles, although there is a question of its relevance hanging over it, particularly with the price tag of the full band kit. Issues around the DLC should really have been sorted before launch, as the confidence I have in the store has waned a little, but assurances have been made that they're working on this asap. It's these issues that leave a sour taste in what can otherwise mainly be described as "the most Rock Band that Rock Band has ever Rock Band-ed".
If you've never had a Rock Band game before, this is as good a time as any to jump in, but be aware that you'll be wanting to peruse that huge store of downloadable content in order to get a setlist you're happy with. Series veterans, however, will have no such trouble, and very little reason not to check this one out. It's a good basis for something that has potential to get even better as the years go on.
It's neither revolution, nor true evolution, but when the planets align, with a few like-minded friends who've had a few drinks, there's nothing that can touch it, and you'll have tremendous fun.
Rock Band 4 is stripped down to the essentials, but despite its leanness, it's pulled off something encouraging: It's made me want to play Rock Band again, even after the dozens of hours and countless parties I've spent with the series. It isn't Harmonix's boldest or biggest game. But Rock Band 4 lays a foundation for Harmonix to move forward.
The over-arching theme of Rock Band 4 has been fan service. It seems like every aspect of the game from its' backwards compatibility for both instruments and DLC, to its playable music platform approach, ultimately has every Harmonix fan at heart. This culminates in a very welcome return to form for the series, and a very worthy first entry to the new console generation.
When a favourite song comes on, it is impossible not to feel like you are a part of the music, making it happen, and it is a glorious feeling when you nail that song at 100 per cent accuracy.
In the end, Rock Band 4 offers up plenty of fun, especially if you can regularly gather a group of friends. It's an excellent party game and an enjoyable way to pass the time solo. However, it isn't really an upgrade from Rock Band 3. Rather, Rock Band 4 is more like a straightforward HD update for the current generation of systems.
Rock Band 4 is like a glorious reunion of wizened rock stars. Everyone looks and sounds great, but a little bit of the twinkle in their eyes has dimmed. The band plays all their hits in the same way that you remember with the same exuberance of youth, but you can detect that something's wrong, something's off with the entire package. But there's plenty of time to get back into the groove of things, and with the updates Harmonix has planned to implement going forward, I feel confident Rock Band 4 will blossom into the game it was meant to be soon enough, especially since support will go on in lieu of annual game releases. I'm no fairweather fan, and I'll be a groupie 'til the end, even when it seems like it could be time for a curtain call in the near future.
More an update than a new game, it's great to be able to re-access your songs and freestyle solos rock.
Rock Band 4 is just a heck of a good time.
Of course Harmonix will need more than just the diehards to make this game a success, and that's the biggest problem the game faces. Five years is a long time, but it doesn't seem like it's been long enough to jumpstart the kind of nostalgia needed to make these games feel fresh again. The game itself is everything you'd expect from Rock Band, but are enough people expecting anything from Rock Band in 2015?
Rock Band 4 is the same fun game driven by plastic instruments as you remember, just for current game consoles.
Despite the omission of pro guitars, keyboards and online play, Rock Band 4 remains a very good, impressively well-made and infinitely replayable rhythm game that fans are sure to enjoy. Harmonix also sees it as a platform instead of just a game, meaning that this is just the beginning of what's to come.
Burn the keyboards and smash those 102-button guitars, because Rock Band 4 has axed all the fiddly bits - and plays like a dream once more.
While the total package has been scaled back, Rock Band 4 still has what it takes to be the complete life of the party. There is simply no better game to be played with your friends.
Its on-disc soundtrack may be more filler than killer, but backwards compatibility, solid instruments and wig-out solos make it awesome
Rock Band 4 is a successful return for a familiar headline act.
Rock Band 4 offers the same party-focused, addictive experience as its predecessors, but potential song limitations and price point will hold it back for some.
The parts of the game we fell in love with feel like they've gotten a fresh coat of paint, but the feature set, and currently incomplete pieces, feels like a Kickstarter title that didn't quite hit all of its funding goals. The parts that matter, however, are rock solid, and the new solo improvements are a hit. Harmonix has pulled off some amazing games. While this launch is a rough opening act, the platform is good, the game works well enough, and as soon as my library is back in order I'll be getting the band back together.
If Harmonix continues to build upon what its laid down, Rock Band 4 could end up being a monumental interactive music experience.