Review: Dragon Ball Z – Ultimate Tenkaichi (PS3)

Harmonix lifted the veil today on their sequel to Rock Band, originally named, Rock Band 2.  While not all that big a surprise, there were a number of points that should make current Rock Band owners very happy.

First and foremost is that all of your DLC will be compatible with Rock Band 2.  When you start the game, it will automatically import the tracks, seemlessly merging into the new game.  New instruments will ship this time around, but they are all compatible with the old instruments, meaning that I do not have to worry about having to buy a new drum set or guitar.

That said, if you are fed up with the current drum or guitar, there are new designs coming for those instruments, with new functionality.  No mention of what the new functionality is, but they did stress that there is compatibility with the old instruments.

Rock Band 2 will comprise all master recordings, and will compile a track list of some of the most legendary and prolific artists across all eras.  Could this mean The Beatles or Led Zeppelin?  No telling yet, as Harmonix is staying close to the vest on the artists and songs at this time.  There will also be new online and band modes, so hopefully, we will finally be able to create a band online with people, the one sticking point I had with the first game.

My opinion is that Harmonix has looked at what is being thrown out there by the competition and seems to be ignoring it, drumming to their own beat.  So far, there is no song or mix creator, but that is not what made Rock Band fun.  Rock Band becomes fun when you are playing the songs with a group of friends, and having a good time.  It also seems that Harmonix is looking to steal a lot of the thunder from Neversoft and Activision, by releasing their game almost a month before the suspected release date for Guitar Hero World Tour, which is suppose to release October 18th, 2008.

Look for more news on the track list as it becomes available.