Hands on with The Beatles: Rock Band

On September 9, classic rock fans will have a chance to strap on a plastic guitar and jam along with the biggest act in popular music history.

Artfully orchestrated buzz has been building for The Beatles: Rock Band since the start of 2009, and the team of developer Harmonix and publisher MTV Games (and distribution partner EA) hope to provide a bright spot in an otherwise drab video game market with one of the few video game products for the 2009 holiday season that has a real chance of appealing beyond core gamers.

We've gotten our hands on a final retail version of the game (minus the new Beatles-inspired instruments, but our old Rock Band gear worked fine), and gave it a test drive in CNET's AV Lab. Check out this video to see our extremely shaky music skills, and read our hands-on impressions below.

Gallery: The Beatles: Rock Band

Dan:
Music aside, this is essentially the same Rock Band game you've been playing for two years, but with nicely done overhauls of the menus, graphics, and interface, including some very cool animated Beatles segments. The biggest change to the actual gameplay is the inclusion of three-part vocal harmonies (you'll need three USB mics). We found out the hard way that these songs are actually pretty tough to sing, and nailing the harmonies is even tougher.

While there's a welcome free-play mode where all 45 included songs are immediately available to play, that's fewer songs than some previous Rock Band or Guitar Hero games include, and the track selection is sure to be missing at least a few of your favorites. There's clearly a big push to sell individual songs and whole albums as downloads (at $1.99 per track), starting with "Abbey Road" in October. That said, the included tracks lean heavily on the early hits, but also include a few nice semi-obscure gems, like "Hey Bulldog."

They've sold millions plastic instruments and downloadable tracks, but annual entries in the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises may leave buyers suffering from music game fatigue (note the piles of unsold music games and accessories spotted at the Circuit City and the Virgin Megastore closeout sales). Still, if anyone can cross over into the non-gaming mainstream (or get us to pony up for yet another set of faux music gear), it has got to be the Fab Four.

Scott:
While Rock Band and Guitar Hero remain popular, it takes extra effort to snag existing users with content worth caring about, hence band-themed editions starring Metallica, Aerosmith, and AC/DC. The Beatles' library is one of the most popular and elusive in the music industry, so MTV and Harmonix have obviously scored a pop-culture coup here. On the other hand, don't expect more than a Beatles reskinning of the Rock Band experience--albeit an impressively detailed and historically deep reskinning, with a few key new tweaks.

Putting The Beatles before Rock Band in the game's title was no accident--in fact, this is a Beatles game first and foremost. However, with only 45 of the Fab Four's songs included, you'll be expected to shell out significant extra cash to put your library up near the size of Guitar Hero 5's 85 tracks.

Three-part harmony allows up to three Beatles karaoke-ers to jump in and sing along, and the effect is simple and fun, focusing more on hopping in on a comfortable note than nailing parts perfectly. Another observation: Beatles songs are perfectly suited for Harmonix's rhythm-game format, thanks to a diversity of styles, strange lyrics, and fun hooks (and some bizarre experimental segments) that make the game more family-friendly than the thrash-and-rock styles of Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes past.

In the end, it's one heck of a bar for future licensed music games.

Jeff:
Don't get me wrong, I love The Beatles. Without them, half the bands I listen to would be directionless. Maybe I've just had it with plastic musical instruments in video games, but for me Beatles Rock Band is nothing more than a $60 expansion pack.

Sure, the game's cut scenes are the best they've ever been in the franchise, and you do get a feeling that you're reliving bits and pieces of Beatlemania. There are also plenty of impressive animations and full-motion video scattered behind the scrolling notes and lyrics. Seeing Shea Stadium and the Ed Sullivan Show as backdrops all add to the beautifully conceived atmosphere.

Unfortunately, that's where the Rock Band progression ends. There aren't any really new features here and there are tons of classic Beatles songs not on the disc that you're going to have to eventually pay for in order to play.

I can understand the absence of "Eleanor Rigby"--it doesn't lend itself well to be Rock Band-ized--but there's no reason $60 can't at least get you rocking out to "Hey Jude."

[EvanSei]

well yea people are tired of music games they are all the same when it comes to UI (basically) and from their it all comes down to the songs and artists, by now you can get most of the songs you want in these games so any new game releases either already have music from earlier games or don't have song you want so what do you do bring out the big guns, the beatles are not on any previous games not one of them, and unless you have a cd or vinal of their music laying around it has probably ben a while since you have heard your favorite beatles tune (assuming you don't illegally download their songs)I can see this being the last real blow out music game before a decline

[Rod Roddy]

I agree, there has been a surge of these games since the original Guitar Hero. But consumers are still buying them so the developers keep cranking them out. I feel this way about all the WWII first person shooters, I mean how many times can they depict this war...hello!--there are plenty of other wars to draw inspiration from.
Oh well, the trick is not to fall into the fad, in the case of the Rock Band series you end up paying a lot of money for all this extra peripherals that you'll end up selling on ebay in about 3 years time. Good luck :)

[jojo311]

For video game console owners who also have an interest in rock music, it'd be a shame if they didn't experience any of the Guitar Hero or Rock Band games just because it might be a fad. Its important to note that although the consumer needs to spend an initial cost for the peripherals, those peripherals can be used among all Rock Band games and all Guitar Hero games (as long as the software is purchased on the same console). My GH II guitar will see some action (along with my original Rock Band peripherals) for the Beatles Rock Band, and those peripherals are all about 2 years old. Sure, in another year or two, my family might lose interest in these music/rhythm games, but by that point we've certainly gotten our money's worth out of the peripherals. If these music games required new peripherals with each iteration then I'd agree that it's a lot of money spent, but the peripheral cost becomes less of an issue when you think of it spread across several games.

[ewsachse]

yeah right. That is the same thing people said about first person shooters after Wolfenstien 3D. Doom, and Quake. "Everyone is tired of FPS games, and no one wants to play them anymore."

Well over 10 years later people are still playing FPS games, and people will still play them for 10 more years and longer.

As far as WWII games, the reason people like to play them is because the US won that war. People like to play winning cam pains. Korea? Stalemate. Vietnam? Losers. Persian Gulf War? That is like a giant stomping on an ant. What is the challenge in that?

[rich12313]

@ewachse
You say we lost the Vietnam war, why dont you go fight. People gave their lives and you call them losers? maybe we did lose but say it with some respect for the dead.

[atomD21]

@ewsachse... The difference is that FPS' don't require huge peripherals to play. You pick up the same controller you use for platformers and you're good to go. People who don't know any better (read: the majority of the game buying public...) will get sick of thinking they have to shell out $200-$300 every time the new version of their favorite music game comes out.

[hakeis1]

I think it will have a fair launch in a weak economy. I think alot of people will wait for the game to reach the$ 39.99 price before they jump in. I seen the Demo the other day, it looks good and sounds nice so it should be alot of fun.

[dennisl59]

Please reference the South Park episode "Guitar Queer-O" and Randy's attempt to get the boys to really learn to play a guitar. So who get's the publishing royalties from this release? This release makes me want to puke.

[play7]

WOW the Gina Fowley`s of the world are going to love this :)

[donsms]

Really! people are going to buy this dribble? I don`t think so!

[troyoverton]

You might want to think again, sir. It won't sell like a new Apple product, but it will sell. If anything, parents and kids will be able to do something fun together. That's what I use my RB series for.

[mgheff]

rip off. even if I liked the Beatles this would be a rip-off. Only 45 songs?! you can get Guitar Hero 5 same price with 85 songs. Even as of September, you get Guitar Hero Van Halen free with guitar hero 5. Thats well over 100 songs. I guess if you are really ready to spend a lot of extra money for DLC, though...

[franko1983]

is Cnet hiring right now? Im just wondering, cause it looks like are in DESPERATE NEED of a drummer XD!

[ScottStein8]

I was absolutely horrible at drumming. In fact, I've never played drums. (big surprise) Care to teach me lessons?

[worshipgeek]

Comment on the closing statement of Jeff's review. If you actually listen to "Hey Jude", the is no guitar part of interest. This is a piano song, Dude. If they ever release a keyboard controller, Hey Jude will be a must. Otherwise, it will be a total bore for Rock Band players.

As for those complaining about the fact that there are only 45 songs, while there are 55 Van Halen songs with their Guitar Hero release? Well, 55 Van Halen songs is like 3 songs, because they all sound just alike. The diversity and musicality that is present in what was produced by the Beatles is such that 45 cuts will provide plenty of interest for your average player of this game (who does not fall into the same demographic as the average gaming audience).

And on that point, in the mid-1960's, the Catholic Church convened the Second Vatican Council to discuss measure to make the Catholic Church more relevant to contemporary culture. The results were profound, and many staunch traditionalist Catholics stopped going to church, because they refused to accept that there was value in reaching out to the mainstream to broaden the church's message. I see a similarity here in the gaming community.

Staunch gamers see gaming systems like the Wii and games like Beates: Rock Band as a threat to their niche, failing to realize that, rather than being a capitalist "sell-out", this is a way to ensure their virtual kingdom will perservere. In a globally depressed economy like ours, game manufacturers need to find multiple avenues for profit. This ensures that they will be able to continue to provide quality gaming experiences to the faithful as well. The result, though, is that not all games are going to appeal to those who fall in this category. That doesn't make them bad, it just makes them different.

Rock on, Beatles fans. Rock on!

[ewsachse]

I was thinking the same thing about "Hey Jude". Unless they were expecting a keyboard attachment for this game, it really sounds like this reviewer has very little knowledge of The Beatles songs. Singing along would be cool until you get to the 7 minute "na na na na Hey Jude" part at the end.

Well said, good sir!

On a totally different note: Did anyone else notice how much fun these guys are having? It looks more like a rock video than a game review! I love Jeff Bakalar's face when he's on the drums, though they all look like they're really feeling this game.

Good stuff.

[Dan_Ackerman]

I know! I'd be even better if we were any good at it...

[HAVOK81]

What I wanna know... will i be able to download songs other than beatle songs... and also will i be able to play those songs as the beatles

[JS_1506]

I'm one of those who got guitar fatigued and don't want to spend another penny, second or gain any blister or pain in my fingers or wrist for playing fake music video games. (I own GH3, GHWT and RB2). I have enough plastic instruments in my room thank you very much.

[Kev-LG]

I can't wait for this - literally. I spent an hour going round various London stores seeing if anyone would sell it to me early! This is the day that rhythm action games have been aspiring towards.

[boy444]

People that complain about too many music games like gutiar hero only think of this as a game and not as a music revolution. I can't tell you how many people download the song onto their mp3 players after the song is the game. FPS games are not the same, becuae it's just a game.

[Dan_Ackerman]

That's right -- the first Guitar Hero, they had to beg record companies to allow them to even have cover versions of songs. Now, the line is around the block to get your band on the latest Rock Band or Guitar Hero game -- it's one of the few ways to break through the clutter these days and get some real facetime with potential new fans (especially with the sad state of radio these days).

[atomD21]

It's been nothing but good for the music industry. There are some bands that I had never heard of, but now love because of GH and RB. Now if only I was any good at the games...

[DeviceGuy]

"this is essentially the same Rock Band game you've been playing for two years..." But the question I have is, if we're in the camp that's been holding out and HASN'T been playing GH or RB for the past few years, is this the prime place to start? It would seem to me that if you haven't invested a dime in any version of the franchises before now, you would want to start here, given the wide range of musicality and the potential for it to be an immediately social experience, rather than one or two people playing and another two watching. The option of three-part harmony is probably the most appealing aspect to me.

[ScottStein8]

This game is a great place to start, with one important note: it's The Beatles only. It doesn't interface with other Rock Band tracks. So, if you want to play other songs, you'd best go elsewhere. But as a Beatles experience it's pretty excellent- and probably the most appealing music game to "outsiders" who haven't ever picked up a plastic guitar.

[tketcher]

Maybe somebody can fill me in, Why don't you buy a Guitar 10 watt amp and a CD?. You can get all that for under a $100. I cannot see the attraction of being able to learn to play a game, when you could be learning how to play a guitar. Does this help you practice or something ?

[tketcher]

Course I've been playing Fender/Gibson since 1965

[esteven4]

The reason is because many people have no interest in learning how to play a guitar. They don't want to come home from work and frustrate themselves learning an instrument, they want to relax.

I've got the guitar and ten watt amp and the CD... I have quite a few guitars, several amps (most of which are over 10 watts) and quite a few CDs, but there are times when I want to play a game with my friends. At any point in time, most people are five minutes away from being competent at some level of this game, while they are months of practice away from being able to play the songs on actual instruments. I'm a patient man, but I don't have time to wait for them.

[jshaddle]

ive found that playin this lame game (which i do more than i'd like to admit) helped me coordinate my left and right hand

[Brent212]

Break out your guitar and amp in the middle of a party and play along to a CD and see how fun it is for everyone else in the room.

Actually, on second thought, that could still be pretty fun, IF you know songs that people want to hear at a party, or you have talented friends who can also play... although that's still just a one person show. As a half-assed guitar player, I think most of the songs that I like playing wouldn't go over so well at a party.

And then you have the problem of learning like 500 of those songs on the guitar and letting people choose which ones they want you to play.

I don't know... I guess a guitar and amp can be a fun party addition, but so can these games.

Especially when you have a fog machine and strobe light all in synch with the songs. Yeah... that exists. Oh, and did I mention LASERS?

[atomD21]

Playing GH and RB is nothing like playing a real guitar. My brother in law is a music guy and he sucks at GH because he approaches the game like a guitarist. I couldn't play a real guitar to save my life, but I can (sometimes) rock out to some great songs on GH, and have a great time.

[troyoverton]

And that's an excellent point, esteven4.

As a "musician" myself, its cool to have friends over, and we can listen to some good music and relax. If I wanted the investment and drama that comes with real musicians, I'd be writing myself a prescription for insanity.

It's one thing to sit in my living room and play (real music) for my own enjoyment, its another to be 5 minutes away from entertainment-only alter-egos with a room full of friends. A heck of a lot of fun too.

@ tketcher:
I have seen quite a few people (kids, mostly) develop a serious interest in playing "real" music after exposure to games like these. I think that its also a well proven fact that music is very stimulating to the brain and can have a very positive influence on kids.

But for real musicians, its tough. There's a big difference between 5 buttons and 6 strings over 22-24 frets. It takes awhile to realize what you are doing. My biggest difficulty comes from having one guitar part going back and forth from rhythm to lead and back.

[ltcmikesr]

Agree with the dude that said save yourself some money (get the best guitar you can afford, change the strings right away with good quality lite strings (.046 - .009 - a mixed set), the intonation set by a pro) and just learn how to play a real guitar and be a real musician. When you are learning a cheap amp won't hurt a thing but the guitar AND STRINGS - get the very best you can afford so it plays easier and sounds better. Lots of good FREE guitar instruction on the web, or if you can afford it, find a good teacher. Also recommend PBS's Soundstage, Austin City Limits and Great Performances. Then if you can, record them to see how the pros perform live.

(BTW if you think those war games are anything like the real military - too bad for you)

[nate0511SrA]

The whole point is that it isnt REAL, it is a game.

[musefred]

It's funny how people still debate on whats "better," RB or GH, Mac or PC, Palm or iPhone, etc. I really think what's important is what you need, and what every individual likes.

[atomD21]

I'm sorry, reasonable, balanced comments aren't allowed here. You'll have to take your logic someplace else.

[Motyoj]

I love the Beatles but I think I'll spend my money on the remasters.

[grecha]

I am the ultimate Beatles fan, and I own a WII, but when I asked my 2 daughters if they wanted Beatles Rock Band their response was they would rather have the other Rock Band because of the variety. I think it was a huge mistake to limit Beatles Rock Band to just the Beatles, simply because cross-compatibility would offer the user the variety that a single band game lacks. As a Beatles fan, even I had to agree with my kids. It's an expensive game as it is, so I resent the limits and won't be getting this version.

[Brent212]

What they should have done is let you store the songs from the disc onto your xbox (or PS3 or Wii)'s hard drive so they can be played with the other games (like what they did with RB1 for RB2). I love the Beatles, but I couldn't ever see myself wanting to go through the effort of putting in a disc to be limited to one band. So I'd never buy this. But I would if I could do what I just described.