Rock Band 3 (various)

[peeveen]

My idea would be they make a batch of songs on release, and the disc only has the framework for the game, such as the menus, the graphics, etc. They could include a token with the game that lets you choose your own 85 tracks or so from both existing content and the new content they have made for release. At least that way you could tailor the tracklist more to your personal taste.

While a nice idea, it would pretty much kill online play. Imagine finding opponents or co-op bandmembers online and being presented with a choice of the one song that you commonly own ...

Besides, isn't it nice to experience new music, even if it's mainly rubbish?

[Skull Commander]

I never thought of the online aspect, but then again I don't touch these games online usually.

I don't mind experiencing new music, but there isn't a lot thats new to me on the disc. The stuff I really hate, is music I have always hated!

[Skull Commander]

Had a go on the drums and vocals last night with some friends. The drums are much better now you can take the stupid "free drum" sections out for the Overdrive activation. I always felt they took you out the music too much, and it's extra noticeable on something like 'Blue Monday'.

Last night I also noticed the whole swapping between left and right handed mode is much easier now, as one of my friends has to use the guitars left handed, and I need it for the drums. Less faffing about than RB2 so a good improvement.

[merf]

Staying Alive by the Bee Gees is excellent, variety like this that helps make RB over the other music games for me.

[Matt]

I think this could be the worse possible way for me to learn keyboard. Even getting over the "right hand only" half size keyboard, they're done a half arsed just of the "Learn A Song" feature.

Not sure where to start. It's all wrong really. You go to Train for the song, and before you start, you choose the secton. About half, probably less, of the screen shows you the section's chart - it's far too small it should be full screen here and clear. You cannot learn a difficult song as it's scrolling in game, even dropping speed down to 60%, because you need to look up, see the next few notes, then go back to your hand to get your position. Now, you don't really have to look down, but at that stage you're not learning an instrument, you're playing Simon Says. To learn, you need to be looking at the keyboard!

Without a way to see the chart (top down would be fine if it was larger) you can't learn. And there, you need a Play Along mode or some kind of keyboard sound, so you can get a feel for how it flows and how it sounds. I'm pretty good musically, and can easily hum along as I'm playing the keys without them making any sound, but it's not how anyone should learn.

Picked up Jealous Guy earlier, which has a wonderful piano opening. I feel I could play it with a bit of practice, and I'm seriously thinking of getting either another real keyboard sat next to the RB one, or using the midi out in some way. Then I could look at the tiny top down chart, work through it on the real keyboard, before switching over to the game.

So frustrating, this could have been amazing.

[sharky_ob]

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Promotion/BlackFridayMarketplaceDiscounts

Includes Creedence dlc down from 1200 to 400 points, today only. Bargain!

[arcnas]

Well i finally sat down with my Pro guitar, my god it was hard to get, my thoughts well its a game changer. RB3 feels like a totaly different game, but even on easy im struggling, its feels bad to play on easy again, after perfecting guitar,but friday , sat im going to do it all day, and see hoe good i am at it, it seems from the tutoriols its going to take seem learning.

[Myth]

Do you play real guitar at all?

[arcnas]

No i havent ever played real guitar, i assume if you can you might find the Pro mode a lot easier than i am.

[arcnas]

Juts another note after about 12 hours over the weekend trying to nail the pro guitar, i havent, my brain has trouble when moving from high to low notes, when the notes move so fast its so tricky, and if you have small hands thats another big issue, i dont, but my nine year old does and hes really finding it hard to learn, its addictive though and im going to learn it.

[nonny]

I'm in the same boat mate. Have the guitar having never played real guitar in my life. Have put a few hours into it and the learning curve is huge but it's an amazing difference. I can see me wanting to throw the guitar at the wall at some points but hopefully things will click with effort and patience.

No complaints with the actual controller though. I'm finding it highly responsive and as accurate as I'd hoped.

[arcnas]

the Pro guitar controller is very well made, which suprised me as i thought the Pro Drums were a little shabby, although they seem to work fine, like you say the learning curve for pro guitar is intense but for me it is the highlight of RB3, its the best bit, but ive spent another £15 upgrading pro songs, the cost of this game is mad, but i feel i will still be playing this in a year so i dont mind the investment on this one.

[nonny]

I've actually avoided getting stuck into Pro drums because I know if I do I wont give the guitar a chance. I bought the ION kit when RB2 came out and I recently upgrade the pads to mesh heads for better rebound. That plus a proper rock pedal means I am pretty much good to go for Pro drums (with two cymbals instead of three).

Expensive business but god I love it. I'm pretty proficient at drums in general but guitar just throws me completely. I'll get there but as you say, it is the whole reason to upgrade to RB3 for me. Depending on how I fare with the mustang I may in fact go for the Squier in March when it comes out.

[Matt]

 
 The Mustang has finally landed!
 
I’ve not played it yet! Turned up at daft-o-clock this morning. I didn’t think it was the guitar, the parcel was far too small. Opened it, and voila! Comes in 3 parts, so all I done was put it together (takes 20 seconds) and have a quick noodle. Difficult to tell right now, as without the game you don’t get any sounds, so once I’m home tonight the game is going on!!
 
Very excited
 
Guitar itself – guess it’s ¾ size, which felt ok. I was sat down, not stood up yet, so the smaller size may impact the “auto fret finding” skillz I’ve built up over the years. Also means I can’t comment on weight. It’s plastic, but felt heavier than the regular plastic guitars.
 
The strings are VERY loose. Surprised at that. However, given they’re pretty thick (would guess low E on Ernie 12's) that may work Ok for fast picking. Strumming will be a joy Not tried a pick, only fingers, but, yep, no complaints. All strings the same size could conceivably cause some location issues, we’ll see.
 
Frets were great! I’m surprised. Very low “action”, the buttons only have to be pressed down a small amount. Doing slides up and down feels OK. Not string-smooth, and could get uncomfortable doing it too much, but better than I thought it would be.
 
I immediately tried to finger a bar G, and missed it, lol. The fret sizes seem accurate. The problem I had was my approach is quite flat on the neck, whereas the buttons need to be pressed down. Took about 10 seconds to have altered my form so no big deal. Will encourage more precise skill.
 
Negatives? Shame the neck has screw holes along the back. And also, the guitar could really use a couple of different marked buttons on frets 3, 5, 7, 12 and 15, like a real guitar. You’ve small numbers on top of the neck, but I imagine a quick reference will be useful. May add some marker pen to a few of the fret buttons.

I have 18 or 19 years guitar experience,so will pick this up in no time.

[arcnas]

Good news, they are a bugger to get hold of at times, i can imagine if you play real guitar you will be miles better than i am then from the start , im still struggling with the tutorials.