It’s official; Rock Band 2 has been announced as a September release on the Xbox360 in the United States. Other platforms and regions may get the game later on. The official press release is posted on the official website:
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59332
I am thrilled to find out that all of the download content from Rock Band 1 will be playable with Rock Band 2. I had been concerned that once the new game came out I’d have to start over. This is very exciting news and I may be even more inclined now to buy more of the downloads, knowing they will have so much more replay value than I at first imagined. In interviews late last year it was said a new Rock Band game would probably not be released again in 2008. I’m glad that is no longer the plan; a lot of improvements are in store – to the software and the hardware (NO BROKEN GUITARS THIS TIME PLEASE, EA!!!). When Rock Band originally came out I was squeamish about the price tag for the bundle. At the time, I had no idea I’d still be playing the game regularly 8 months later and getting fresh content weekly. I know better this time – the amount of time you can get out of a game like Rock Band (one, two, or any other) is worth more in gameplay time and fun than several other games combined. No price has been released yet, and that doesn’t change my mind. So enjoy the good news. If this makes you more inclined to buy some more download tracks, my thoughts on the downloads released up until now is below in yesterday’s post!
One more thing… they aren’t releasing any names of tracks or artists yet, but for the record I’d like to beg for:
“I Don’t Care” and “I’m Not Jesus” by Apocalyptica
“Munich” and “Bones” by The Editors
Hotel California by The Eagles
Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand
Dashboard by Modest Mouse
Gone Away by The Offspring
More Les Wampas
One final note about Rock Band and Rock Band 2. The fog and lights kit, which will be compatible with both games, is being released next month. It’s a splurge, but talk about giving yourself the Rock Star treatment! With everything going on Rock Band is starting to look more like an experience than a “game”.
