	The Beatles: Rockband
	Developer: Harmonix Publisher: EA Release Date: Out Now Players: 1-4	Words By:
When I first heard they were making a Beatles inspired Rockband game I got very excited, I am a big fan of the Fab Four and the chance to play their music in one of my favourite games was like a match made in heaven for me. Writing this review will be a labour of love rather than work. The Beatles:Rockband features 45 of the band’s hits and I have to admit despite being a fan there were one or two I hadn’t heard before, which was good. Developers Harmonix have really thought about the fans when choosing which songs to include. The game starts with a short intro video which acts like a preview to some of the songs ahead of you with 'A Hard Day’s Night’,’ I Am The Walrus' and 'Here Comes The Sun' playing during the video, it also shows lots of references to hits not featured but I am sure they will be coming as DLC in the not-too-distant future. I will start by saying this is a dedicated Beatles game there are no other artists and apart from a few covers performed by the band they are all Beatles songs. The first thing you notice about the graphics is they are vastly improved over previous music games, they have obviously paid a lot of attention to the band and have captured their look perfectly giving the whole game a really polished appearance, gone are the tall skinny characters found in previous games to be replaced with a superbly drawn cartoon-like John, Paul, George and Ringo. The career mode follows the band’s rise to fame so the songs are in chronological order starting in the Cavern club in 1963 and ending on the roof of the Apple Corps building in '69. The first gig is comprised of 4 songs; 'Twist and Shout','Boys','Do You Want To Know A Secret' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'. The gameplay is business as usual as far as music rhythm games go but again they have used the brilliant visuals to represent the band and stage areas at the various venues. They have added some quite nice features into the original Rockband gameplay with regards to the make-up of your band, like instead of just single player vocals you can now have 3 singers. So if you and your mates fancy yourself as a Beatles tribute act you can now get a full 3 part harmony, so there is plenty of opportunity for you to butcher your favourite Beatles hits. Also included is a very comprehensive vocal tutorial to get you singing like John in a flash, so get practising and you will be in perfect harmony before you know it! The drum training has also been improved with over 80 drum classes to help you perfect your Ringoesque style. After the Cavern club gig you go on to play at the Ed Sullivan show, Shea Stadium and Budokan in 1966. The more knowledgeable fans of the Beatles amongst you will know that they stopped touring in ‘66 just 2 weeks after the Budokan gig. The next 3 gigs are set in the Abbey Road Studios, with the band on stage visuals being replaced by the Fab Four playing in the studio. This is where the visual style really comes into its own with 'Dreamscape' sequences for each of the songs. These are basically music videos that represent the song being played and kinda represent the whole ‘60s free love and hippy influences of the times. These are by far my favourite part of the game, it’s just a shame you can’t sit and watch them and spark up a fat one as playing the game just gets in the way – I’m just kidding, but these sequences do look amazing. Now you may think that only having 45 songs seems a little short when compared to Guitar Hero 5 which has 85, but this is much more a case of quality over quantity, the track listing really highlights the diversity of the band’s music. I just hope people aren’t put off by the lower number of tracks. Each of the songs is accompanied by 2 unlockable photographs as rewards for completing the song with 3 and 5 stars, these can be viewed at any time along with a snippet of Beatles trivia. You also unlock short videos of the band and even a full version of a Christmas record they released back in the day! There is plenty to keep you coming back for more whilst trying to get 5 stars on every song and complete the vocal, guitar, bass and multiple singing careers. Then of course you still have the full band experience that can be played online or offline. Looking at the overall game The Beatles: Rockband isn’t as feature-packed as some of its rivals but for what it lacks in features it more than makes up for with its fantastic track list and unbelievable visuals. It is truly a must buy for any Beatles fan. Without entering into spoiler territory the end sequence is breathtaking and truly fills you with joy, and I have no hesitation in awarding this game a corking 9 out of 10. Here's the set list featuring The Beatles original master recordings- • I Saw Her Standing There • Boys • Do You Want To Know A Secret • Twist And Shout • I Wanna Be Your Man • I Want to Hold Your Hand • A Hard Day’s Night • Can’t Buy Me Love • I Feel Fine • Eight Days A Week • Ticket To Ride • Day Tripper • Drive My Car • I’m Looking Through You • If I Needed Someone • Paperback Writer • Taxman • Yellow Submarine • And Your Bird Can Sing • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band • With a Little Help from My Friends • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds • Getting Better • Good Morning Good Morning • I Am The Walrus • Hello Goodbye • Revolution • Back In The U.S.S.R. • Dear Prudence • While My Guitar Gently Weeps • Birthday • Helter Skelter • Hey Bulldog • Don’t Let Me Down • Come Together • Something • Octopus’s Garden • I Want You (She’s So Heavy) • Here Comes The Sun • Dig A Pony • I Me Mine • I’ve Got A Feeling • Get Back • Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows • The End Additional songs will be available as DLC. This will include the remaining songs from Abbey Road, Sgt. Peppers and Rubber Soul all planned for release before the end of 2009.

Best Bits
- Makes you feel a happy glow inside
- The music is pure heaven
- You can lose yourself in the dreamscapes’ hippy trippy visuals

Worst Bits
- Wish it was a smidge longer and included 'Fool on the hill' and 'Nowhere man' but that's just being picky


by: Kent Hammer