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PS2 port of Rock Band: Worst. version. ever?

8:07 AM on 12.15.2007, Nick Chester 38 comments

PS2 port of Rock Band: Worst. version. ever? photo
     PlayStation 2

Yesterday, I (along with my wife and Topher) decided to play through Rock Band's "Endless Setlist" in the game's "Band World Tour Mode." The epic list is a culmination of all of your custom band's blood, tears, and sweat on the road to fame; it's a non-stop marathon of the discs 58 songs, back-to-back, with no breaks. Yes, it took us eight hours, and yes, we smelled afterwards.

Regardless of the fact that I don't want to play Rock Band for at least another month (OK, fine, I'll be playing again next week), "Band World Tour" mode certainly is one of the game's stand-out features. But according to a Gamespot preview, the "BWT" found in the PlayStation 2 port of the game (which ships next week) is a much simpler, more linear version than that found on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Instead of making money and amassing fans at gigs, it's simply a tiered structure of songs, similar to the Guitar Hero series. The game also features no character customization. 

Oh, and there's no online play modes and there will certainly be no downloadable content (although I'm sure the game's success will lead to "expansion" discs). 

Worst. version. ever? If you're comparing features and the game's longevity, this might be the case. Gamespot does point out that the gameplay (this is the important part, right?) is faithful, and the bundle will cost $10 less than its big brothers. Maybe it's time to just save the $150, though, and start saving for that new console, eh? 

[Via Kotaku]


Next page: More Rock Band stories




AfroJoel's Avatar
AfroJoel at 12/15/2007 08:43
Woah, 8 hours. That's insane.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 12/15/2007 08:46
Aww, most adorable KISS cover band ever! For those looking forward to Rock Band on Wii, this is a chilling glimpse into the future.
MrSadistic's Avatar
MrSadistic at 12/15/2007 09:03
Well nothing shocking about the suck in Rock Band for the PS2. I mean why even bother porting it when this version is just Guitar Hero in a different coat?
Def JM's Avatar
Def JM at 12/15/2007 09:05
Alright I've seen miniKiss and after the first song, the whole look there little people wears off and you want to die.
loki d20's Avatar
loki d20 at 12/15/2007 09:33
I can see the lack of character customization, but not sure about the watered down BWT mode.
BFeld13's Avatar
BFeld13 at 12/15/2007 09:42
That sucks BWT is the best part
PraiseChaos's Avatar
PraiseChaos at 12/15/2007 10:25
Eight hours? Holy freaking crap....

@Mxy - As much as I hate to say it, I think you probably called it. :(
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 12/15/2007 11:26
I'd rather just get the 360 version. Also, if you buy DLC, does that add on to Band World Tour mode? Because that would be sweet.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 12/15/2007 11:46
I am crossing my fingers I get Rock Band for Christmas.
Tino's Avatar
Tino at 12/15/2007 12:06
@Necros:

Yeah, it does.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 12/15/2007 12:22
I'm pissed.

I don't want to buy a next-gen console now, but I want Rock Band.

This fucking sucks.

I hate the world at the moment.
qo_op's Avatar
qo_op at 12/15/2007 12:23
Why make the ps2 version as good as the 360 or PS3? The ps2 version is cheaper and theres a 120 million install base. Making it just as good would be a great way to lose money on the 360 and ps3 versions.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 12/15/2007 12:53
I mean, how hard is it to at the VERY LEAST enable character customization??


At least you can choose your own damn character in Guitar Hero, Rock Band fucking chooses one for you!

It takes the personality out of the game, and I think Harmonix is made up of a bunch of twats for doing it.

If you're going to release it on the goddamn PS2, at least give us a fucking reason to buy it.
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 12/15/2007 13:01
I'd be almost certain Harmonix didn't make the PS2 version. I'm sure it's an outsourced port. And again, I just want to know if it's using the same equipment as the PS3 version, so you could upgrade later maybe.
foxhound009's Avatar
foxhound009 at 12/15/2007 13:13
Gamespot?.........
0chan's Avatar
0chan at 12/15/2007 13:24
im still boycotting gamespot, get a better source for your story,
gamespot will give this game a fucking academy ward if they get enough money
0chan's Avatar
0chan at 12/15/2007 13:24
im still boycotting gamespot, get a better source for your story,
gamespot will give this game a fucking academy award if they get enough money
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 12/15/2007 13:24
Out next week... how about out now! I have a copy of Rock Band for the PS2 that I rented from GameFly.
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 12/15/2007 13:58




Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 12/15/2007 14:42
"Oh, and there's no online play modes and there will certainly be no downloadable content (although I'm sure the game's success will lead to "expansion" discs). "

Blasphemy!
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 12/15/2007 14:45
I feel sorry for anyone still buying PS2 ports.

Said the man with an original Xbox. :'(
Gavin's Avatar
Gavin at 12/15/2007 14:51
I got the 360 version....glad I don't have to worry about this.
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 12/15/2007 15:13
After popping in the game, I can confirm that Rockband for the PS2 is just a Guitar Hero copy cat with multiple instruments. On top of all the other features that are lacking, you can't choose to play the solo tour as the bassist if you're playing with just one guitar. You can play bass in Free play, but not on the solo tour.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 12/15/2007 16:15
Awesome.
Toneman's Avatar
Toneman at 12/15/2007 16:59
Eight hours? It only took me 4.
Anyways, BWT is where it's at and if the PS2 version lacks it then the PS2 version can go fuck itself.
LordGloom's Avatar
LordGloom at 12/15/2007 16:59
I was going to get the PS2 version after I heard the instruments worked on PS3, but after this, well, fuck me.
jpitner's Avatar
jpitner at 12/15/2007 19:45
I agree with lordgloom on some aspects. I was at first against the idea due to the lacking of those components.

Then I wised up and smacked myself. the point of the game is the music first and foremost, and since that's unchanged, I'll take my GH + drums + vocals.

And the usability of the PS2 instruments on the PS3 (at least, so i've read via gamespot) is enough to make me get it, since the PS3 purchase is inevitable some time next year.

Moreso happy that the game is actually on PS2 even in this gutted form, than not.

It's all about the music in a Music Game.
Xzyliac's Avatar
Xzyliac at 12/15/2007 20:22
It should definitely be noted that Harmonix outsourced the port.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 12/16/2007 00:07
Is this version going to end up on Wii now? Since Guitar Hero III for Wii managed to move a million copies?

PSP must not be far behind.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 12/16/2007 09:10
Well then Harmonix is made up of a bunch of twats for outsourcing the port to a shitty company.
Noah's Avatar
Noah at 12/16/2007 09:14
No surprise here. I have GH3 for the PS2 and it's horrible...insane load times, graphics are worse than GH2...game play is fine however.

I still want it...since I have 2 GH controllers for the ps2 and nothing for my 360. WOuld the SOCOM headset work as a mic?
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 12/16/2007 10:40
Oh man that is truly suck.
Hoodie's Avatar
Hoodie at 12/16/2007 16:31
Rock Band seems like a natural for Wii, but I have a terrible feeling that if we actually get it, it'll be a port of this. No thanks.
Hitogoroshi's Avatar
Hitogoroshi at 12/17/2007 14:19
Wow what a waste of time the PS2 version is.

Also was one person playing the drums the entire time? I can't imagine how tired they were.
Hitogoroshi's Avatar
Hitogoroshi at 12/17/2007 14:20
Wow what a waste of time the PS2 version is.

Also was one person playing the drums the entire time? I can't imagine how tired they were.
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