Rock Band 3 is set to hit stores next month, and the game is poised to bring the series and the music gaming genre to the next level. From the new instruments that are less toys and are now full fledge instruments, to the very functional trainer modes, Rock Band 3 is much more then just a game.
A couple weeks ago I had a chance to spend sometime at MTV Games and try out the the various Keyboard modes, as well as get some time with the new pro guitar instruments and the new Pro Guitar mode.
Firstly the Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller and the Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar Controller are amazing controllers in both form and function. The new guitars truly make the current Rock Band guitars look like preschool toys. The Fender Strat is more then just a controller it is also a full fledge Stratocaster that can be plugged into an amp and used without the game. While at the time of our preview the Strat wasn’t a functioning controller yet, it was the final build minus the controller parts, and the thing isn’t a cheap knock around guitar, it feels great in your hands and brought back memories of middle school playing on a Fender Strat. The Mustang on the other hand was fully functional and I was able to give it a play in game. Unlike the Strat, the Mustang only has strings in the bridge section for strumming and then the entire neck is made up of buttons for each string at each fret mark. While the neck buttons do feel quite different then real strings they work, and work well. If you’re planning on using Rock Band 3 as a learning tool and don’t want to lay out the money for the full fledge Stratocaster, the Mustang will be a great choice to start. Both of the new guitars are top notch instruments and are really going to help set Rock Band apart in the ever growing crowd of music games.
The other part of my time with Rock Band 3 was spent trying out the new Pro Guitar Trainer. Similar to the Keyboard Trainer, you have many different professionally created lessons. The lessons begin at the basic picking and work up to chords and further. As you play through a lesson, the repetition technique used in the Keyboard trainer is once again used. Once you complete the set notes enough times you can move onto your next lesson. Each lesson builds off what you have already learned.
Similar to the Pro Keyboard, the Pro Guitar doesn’t use the color coded marks on screen. Instead you will be presented with a number coming down the neck onscreen, the number represents the starting fret number and the markings on screen represents the string or strings you will need to press and at which fret level from the starting fret you need to press. At first glance it is a bit tricky, as you need to process what your seeing on screen and turn that into finger placements, it’s much more then just matching colors. However with the lesson progression you will be able to handle it and become use to the system quite quickly.
As I said Rock Band 3 is set to take the series to a new level. The team at Harmonix is poised to create musicians out of gamers. After spending time with the various trainer modes, I really wished I had Rock Band 3 some 15 years ago while I was trying to learn guitar. Not only is Rock Band 3 going to be educational, but it’s presented in a fun and exciting way. IF you ever wanted to learn how to play Guitar, Keyboard, or Drums, Rock Band 3 will be a great start. If you are a parent and want to get your kid into a musical instrument, I don’t know any better way then Rock Band 3 and one of the pro guitars. I’ve been saying for weeks now, I haven’t been this excited for a music game since Rock Band 1 was announced, from the great tracks to these fun Pro modes, Rock Band 3 is going to be a must buy this season.
