Rock Band 2

Deja vu is really odd. You feel like you have seen or done something before, but then you slowly realise that you actually haven't. Rock Band 2 instills this same feeling. At first glance, it looks more like a rather expensive add-on instead of a full blown sequel. Aesthetically, this may be the case, but developer Harmonix ironed out the kinks from the first installment and delivers what is perhaps the most competent music-based title to date.

It's strange to see Rock Band out-performing Guitar Hero in terms of online transactions, as it shows that a vast amount of gamers are enjoying it on a regular basis since launch. It certainly cuts a more sober, serious figure than its competitor, but the real selling point is that this professionalism shines through in the game's execution. For example, note placement here is spot on, making it feel like you are playing the song more than ever before, and the calibration settings remedy the hard to hit hammer-ons from the first game.

The World Tour mode is where things become very interesting. You can now tackle this mode solo, playing shows across the globe, earning fans and cash as you go, and leading to bigger and better gigs. In addition, challenges randomly kick in asking if you would like to gamble for more bonuses.

For example, you may be approached by a film crew to let them tape your show for a live DVD, which you can then sell for more money and fans. Perform badly, and you will lose fans in the thousands. This risk/reward system keeps you focused on performing well and the opportunity to hire staff such as roadies, merchandise girls or promoters adds special perks such as increasing your fanbase in certain parts of the globe or doubling your cash per gig.

Where the original Rock Band's tour mode saw you playing the same songs over and over, your downloaded tracks now transfer over so you can use them here. Also, for a small license fee, you can rip the tracks from the first game to your hard drive, which gives Rock Band 2 an additional 80-plus tracks. It is a simple idea, but one that lends the game much more longevity.

The tracks here are pure gold, from Linkin Park's One Step Closer, Disturbed's Down With The Sickness, Metallica's Battery, and Shackler's Revenge off the new Guns n' Roses album. Downloadable content continues to be released every Monday and shows no signs of dipping in quality, currently resting at over 500 tracks.

Online modes are superb, including the self-explanatory Battle of the Bands, solo duels and all-new challenges. Here, players can create their own challenges and post them online for all to try, tasking rockers to reach a certain score on a particular song or set list.

Drum Trainer is a new mode, allowing would-be thrashers a chance to practice real-life beats and fills to improve their skills and timing. There are tons of these, including an adjustable beats-per-minute and a metronome to assist with timing.

By comparison, this makes Neversoft's Guitar Hero, which is still a fine game in it's own right, seem like a rank amatuer, trying to imitate what cannot be bettered. If this competition between franchises continues, the quality of their respecitve games will continue to improve, which is surely good news for the fans.

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TestFreaks: 9.7/10 (Full Review)
Eurogamer: 9/10 (Full Review)
IGN: 9/10 (Full Review)
1UP: A  (Full Review)