As if the early downloadable content announcement featuring one of the most iconic metal musicians of all time wasn't big enough for this week, gamers got a huge sneak peek of the next generation, and really the next evolution of music video games, Rock Band 3.
Information had already leaked through various methods that Rock Band 3 would not only include the harmonies system from The Beatles: Rock Band and Green Day: Rock Band, but it would also introduce the keyboard into the full-band formula, a first for the genre.
In a USA Today article, Harmonix revealed numerous juicy new details regarding the next iteration of their flagship franchise.
Rundown of New Rock Band 3 Information
- The game will feature a "Pro Mode" which will essentially bridge the gap between music video games and actually playing music.
- The gameplay in Pro Mode will look to further emulate real instrument playing
- Players can mix and match modes, as in playing Pro Mode and Arcade Mode together
- The keyboard controller will be a keyboard, not a keytar as once thought
- The keyboard will have 25 keys, but in normal modes will only use 5 (all 25 will be used in Pro Mode)
- The keyboard controller will actually be a fully-functional MIDI keyboard
- Fully functional guitars will be available around Rock Band 3 release and can be used in Pro Mode or the traditional modes
- New drum kit that features three cymbals that must be hit at the right time (unlike Rock Band 2 cymbals which were more cosmetic than functional)
- Much like Guitar Hero 5's "Party Mode", during gameplay, players can jump in and out seamlessly and can even swap difficulties mid-song
- Improved animations and song-select screen
- Better filtering options (i.e. "Show me Pop songs from the 00's that are under 4 minutes from Rock Band Network")
- Much more in-depth story with better character designer
- Hundreds of goals to achieve during story mode for each instrument
Full List of Announced Songs for Rock Band 3 as of publish
The Cure - "Just Like Heaven"
Dio - "Rainbow in the Dark"
The Doors - "Break on Through (to the Other Side)"
Huey Lewis and the News - "The Power of Love"
Ida Maria - "Oh My God"
Jane's Addiction - "Been Caught Stealing"
Jimi Hendrix - "Crosstown Traffic"
Joan Jett - "I Love Rock and Roll"
Juanes - "Me Enamora"
Metric - "Combat Baby"
Night Ranger - "Sister Christian"
Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
Phoenix - "Lasso"
Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Rilo Kiley - "Portions of Foxes"
Smash Mouth - "Walkin' on the Sun"
Spagehog - "In the Meantime"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Plush"
Them Crooked Vultures - "Dead End Friends"
The Vines - "Get Free"
The White Stripes - "The Hardest Button to Button"
Whitesnake - "Here I Go Again"
First Look at Rock Band 3 from USA Today. Thanks to RockBandAide.com for uploading to YouTube.
Get the latest news as quickly as possible: Click "subscribe" at the top of the article to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. The Music Video Game Examiner is also on Twitter, where he hosts giveaways for his followers.
Comments