Rock Band 2 (2008)

Developer: Harmonix Music Systems
Publisher: MTV Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2
Genres: Music
Rating: 4.3 of 5, 111 player ratings

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The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

Gathering friends around plastic instruments to fake-rock together in loud, joyful sync.

socialenergeticparty-focusedaccessiblelivelycooperativecasualupbeat

About

Rock Band 2 is the sequel to the 2007 musical simulation game Rock Band and offers similar gameplay. Directly competing with Guitar Hero: World Tour, the game allows different people to play together as in a band, with the same peripherals as the first game: lead guitar, bass guitar, microphone and a drum set. The new drum and guitar controllers for this version, bundled or sold separately, have been revised and older controllers are also supported. The guitar controller, modelled after the Fender Stratocaster, has five additional fret buttons near the neck, for fast fingertapping sessions. There is also an effect switch to toggle between five different effects. Players use the instruments to match notes on the screen, divided in different portions for different instruments, along with the lyrics for the singer who need to match the pitch.

What players say

A loud, joyful living-room party game built around full-band co-op that captures the thrill of fronting a rock group with friends. Remembered fondly as a high point of the plastic-instrument craze with a deep, crowd-pleasing setlist.

Screenshots

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