Welcome to another edition of For What it’s Worth, where bargain titles are examined to see if they really are worth your bottom dollar. Tonight, I take a look at Rock Band…. For the iPhone/iPod Touch. IPhone’s and iPods and now iPads are all the rage these days thanks to Steve Jobs and the nifty techno wizards over at Apple. Personally I'm still wondering they will ever go with my idea of creating the iGrill? I still dream of the day when I can listen to my favorite iTunes as I cook chicken.
Being able to play Rock Band on the go sounds like an interesting idea but is it possible to recreate the Rock Band experience without the instruments?
Story: None.
Graphics & Design: Rock Band iPhone/iPod Touch shares the same look and graphical style of its console counterparts. It doesn’t share the same graphical capabilities in terms of power and presentation but it comes close enough. The iPhone and iPad Touch gives a slick presentation that can rival any portable gaming console. Although I must say it is strange that the rocker avatars are left out of this port.
Sound: The sound quality is absolutely fantastic. Considering that these devices were specifically designed for playing music to be a primary function, it is of no surprise that every song on each set list plays with solid clarity.
Gameplay: Think of it as the same gameplay that you would get in the console versions but without any of the instruments. Yes. They have done the unthinkable. A Rock Band without instruments? How does that work? You simply pick the “instrument” you want to use and then it is simply a matter of tapping the touch screen and you can be a rock god of bass, drums and of course the guitar. Players can select vocals but it is only accessible on the iPhone version and even then you aren't given the chance to test your vocal talents but rather just tap on notes as they appear on screen. Like in the console version, you can play the practice mode in order to learn the basics. And of course you also have the career mode in which you travel to different cities and play all of the songs on the set list successfully before moving on to your next concert. You can also play a multiplayer mode with up to four other users.
Extra Features: Additional songs can be downloaded at the in-game Music Store and it offers a good selection of over 30 songs for 99 cents each.
Replay Value: It’s good for a few quick games while you’re on the go, but without the party game atmosphere and the challenge created by the peripherals, it just doesn’t have the same replay value of the console versions.
Over All Value: Download price: $10
What it’s Worth: $10
For what it is, Rock Band actually plays pretty well in this format and it is nice for a quick play on the go or maybe even an extended play trhough during travel time but I wouldn't say it is as good as the console versions but without the ability to use the actual instruments, it wasn't possible to begin with. So it is a good game for what it is.
Next on the docket: Ristar
