By Alexander Thompson

The Xbox 360 ring of death is not always the swan song - your Xbox 360 doesn't need to die. Of course, it will need some intensive therapy, core repairs and magic fixes, but don't toss it just yet. Sometimes all it takes to revive an Xbox 360 is a warm towel wrapped around the console for 10 minutes and a restart. Sure, this is a temporary fix and there are many voices against it, but it is nevertheless the proof that you can still count on Microsoft (unless the towel trick sets your Xbox on fire).

How do you escape the ring of death? It all depends on your karma. If the towel trick works a DIY repair might work too. If the towel trick fails put your faith in Microsoft's repair service and start praying, or do the smart thing and invest your money in a new system. As only 6% of all the Xbox 360s cannot be repaired, don't lose hope and instead of calling Microsoft, try finding a valid Xbox 360 ring of death guide that will lead you through all the steps needed to fix your console without specialized help.

The main reason why an Xbox 360 fails is overheating. A valid Xbox 360 repair guide will teach you how to fix the cooling system instead of advising you to blow hot air into your Xbox or wrap it in towels. Valid Xbox guides come with a money back warrantee but more importantly they lead you to the whole process of fixing your console, step by step, with clear pictures and schematics to help you with every detail. No serious Xbox 360 repair guide vendor will ever promise to have the ultimate solution for your problems. Sometimes what causes the Xbox 360 to fail may be something unrelated to the cooling system - like scratched disks for example. In such situations you need a different guide and seldom need you to invest in a new system.

Obviously all these fixes are valid only for the situation when your Xbox is out of warranty. If your product is still in warranty, let Microsoft fix it. It's free and it's safer for your console.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

Repairing the Xbox 360 is not difficult with some basic tools and a lot of attention to detail. However, if your console is still under warranty and you open the case, please be aware that this will permanently void any remaining warranty. This article will show you how to open your console without damaging components.

If you decide to use this or any do-it-yourself guide, please always make sure your console is unplugged from any source of power before trying to access the case interior. Repairing and maintaining your Xbox 360 is a fairly easy proposition. Let's take you through the steps to accessing the Xbox 360's interior.

You will first need a clean and stable workspace, which can consist of a soft, clean towel spread over a sturdy accessible table. By laying the console flat, gently remove the faceplate by squeezing the latches on either end of the faceplate and pulling it forward. The faceplate should just pop off, but be careful to not break the latches or exert too much pressure.

Next, remove the side panels by releasing the tabs using either a small, thin screwdriver or punch in the holes on either side of the case, being careful not to snap the tabs off. At this point it will be easy to see the metal chassis of the console and to begin removing the bottom part of the unit. Place a flat screwdriver on the tabs in the front and back and apply even pressure in order to release them. The screwdriver will need to be inserted between the white panels in order to access the back tabs.

You are now ready to remove the top portion of the case. This can only be done with a "torx" tool or driver. This tool is shaped like a star on the end, but if one is not available you can buy one at the local auto parts or hardware store. Now remove the 6 torx screws from the four corners and center of the console taking note of where the different length screws come from.

Now you can easily remove the DVD module and have access to the CPU and circuits underneath. All internal components are now within easy reach and basic repair can be performed. Some of the most common Xbox 360 problems deal with the DVD aspect, and these problems are often a simple DIY fix.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

Repairing the Xbox 360 is not difficult with some basic tools and a lot of attention to detail. However, if your console is still under warranty and you open the case, please be aware that this will permanently void any remaining warranty. This article will show you how to open your console without damaging components.

If you decide to use this or any do-it-yourself guide, please always make sure your console is unplugged from any source of power before trying to access the case interior. Repairing and maintaining your Xbox 360 is a fairly easy proposition. Let's take you through the steps to accessing the Xbox 360's interior.

You will first need a clean and stable workspace, which can consist of a soft, clean towel spread over a sturdy accessible table. By laying the console flat, gently remove the faceplate by squeezing the latches on either end of the faceplate and pulling it forward. The faceplate should just pop off, but be careful to not break the latches or exert too much pressure.

Next, remove the side panels by releasing the tabs using either a small, thin screwdriver or punch in the holes on either side of the case, being careful not to snap the tabs off. At this point it will be easy to see the metal chassis of the console and to begin removing the bottom part of the unit. Place a flat screwdriver on the tabs in the front and back and apply even pressure in order to release them. The screwdriver will need to be inserted between the white panels in order to access the back tabs.

You are now ready to remove the top portion of the case. This can only be done with a "torx" tool or driver. This tool is shaped like a star on the end, but if one is not available you can buy one at the local auto parts or hardware store. Now remove the 6 torx screws from the four corners and center of the console taking note of where the different length screws come from.

Now you can easily remove the DVD module and have access to the CPU and circuits underneath. All internal components are now within easy reach and basic repair can be performed. Some of the most common Xbox 360 problems deal with the DVD aspect, and these problems are often a simple DIY fix.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

The only website that actually offers free Xbox 360 user manuals which are safe to download is the official Xbox 360 website. But this website will not tell you how to repair your console. In the absence of the most wanted information, what will you do?

Downloading files from the Internet is not always a smart move, especially when you are not familiar with the site. Sometimes what you get with a download comes with no warranties that the files will be both both Trojan and virus free. Think of downloading from the Web as buying from the black market, and understand that there are only rare situations when free actually means free. Many of the sites that offer free downloads are virtual traps for the innocent web user who tries to save money. Little do these users know that rapid share and torrent sites often hide malware that can cause costly malfunctions to their computers - sometimes even fatally corrupting core system files.

We can already conclude that downloading Xbox 360 repair manuals from dubious sites is not smart at all. In the absence of spyware and malware the sites might require an email address to send you a download link. Needless to say that such a demand alone should trigger some questions. If you want to have your email address on the next spammer's list, feel free to submit your private information to such sites.

When is it smart to download Xbox 360 manuals from the web? - When you trust the source.

There are some ways to verify whether a seller is legitimate: do a whois search, check out the privacy policy on the site and the site disclaimer, or check out the site's SSL. Once the SSL certificate authenticates you can safely assume that you are not dealing with a phisher and you can trust the seller. Beware of free downloads which act as baits that will make you buy something else; in the case of an Xbox 360 manual this something else could be a special repair kit.

It is our conviction that there are some sites that offer free Xbox 360 manuals, but it's an art to find them. If you do, we are waiting for your feedback.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Anthony Reedy

The dreaded Xbox 360 red ring of death. Are there 6 words that could strike more terror into the hearts of gamers? If you have never experienced this problem then consider yourself lucky. Some estimates put your chances of receiving this error as high as 1 in 3. If you are one of the unlucky and are experiencing this problem right now, don't despair. There is hope and help, and it doesn't require you to send your system off to that large global corporation whose name we will not mention! First, a little background on Xbox 360 error lights.

The Dreaded Red Ring of Death

The xbox 360 comes with a system to identify the error based off the number of red lights.


1 red light: you are having general hardware failure.
2 red lights: your console is overheating. Turn off and unplug your console immediately to avoid damage any damage.
3 red lights: the red ring of death. See the next section for how to deal with these red lights.
4 red lights: your AV cable is loose. Check that your connection is secure, replace if necessary.

The Cause of 1 & 3 Red Light Errors

A loose GPU will cause 1 and 3 red lights on your xbox 360. This is a result of the cold-soldering used and the heat given off by the motherboard.

How To Fix The Red Ring Of Death

I hear you loud and clear, "enough information already! Give me the fix!"

Well, that large global corporation whose name we will not mention would like for you to send your xbox 360 console to them, along with about $200. They will hold your system for about 8 weeks.

What you may not know is that you can fix the xbox 360 red ring of death on your own and in the comfort of your home. The non-techiest person can complete this process in under an hour. There are several guides available on the internet that deatail this process. Look for one that includes step-by-step videos. Always verify that there is a refund option and a way to contact the seller. This will ensure that you are not receiving a junk guide reselling the famous "towel trick".

Does your Xbox suffer from the ring of death? Let me show you step-by-step how to fix your Xbox 360 red ring of death error.

Find out more, Xbox 360 Repair Guide Reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Reedy

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

Of course the easiest answer to the "where can I get help when my Xbox 360 is down?" dilemma is Microsoft's Xbox 360 website. But this answer is valid only as long as your product is still in warranty or if you just need answers to simple matters such as "List of original Xbox games playable on Xbox 360."

For more complex Xbox 360 problems you can get help by visiting the Xbox 360 forums, asking your questions on Yahoo! Answers or other similar sites, visiting Xbox related blogs and discussion boards and ultimately buying an Xbox 360 repair guide that usually has the answers to all your tech-related problems. Xbox.com has almost all the general answers you need plus a help section that will even teach you how to play right to reduce the possibility of injury (RSI - repetitive strain injury) and also how to keep the kids safe online. Another interesting support sections helps you deal with offensive players - a bitter reality of the online gaming community.

Also, if you are unaware of it, Xbox has a LIVE Code of Conduct that you should get familiar with, to avoid any penalties. Know the Xbox 360 terms of use and try to follow them as any deviation from these rules can get you into trouble. You can find manuals and system use help on xbox.com too - basically there is nothing the site doesn't cover, except Xbox fixes. Of course xbox.com will never tell you how to repair even the simplest malfunctions of your Xbox 360. Microsoft wants your Xbox in for repair and you'll have to pay if the product is no longer under warranty.

Fatal errors need more attention from Microsoft. Even the famous "towel trick" cannot really help keep your Xbox trouble-free. Such tricks are temporary fixes that buy you time, but if you want your console to run again you have to look for professional help. Are you sure that the Xbox has a problem that can be fixed by any gamer with a screwdriver and a repair guide? You can take your chances and find out, but if you have any doubts do seek help. Remember that sometimes not asking for help might cost more than sending the Xbox to a special service for repair.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.
View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

The Xbox 360 ring of death is not always the swan song - your Xbox 360 doesn't need to die. Of course, it will need some intensive therapy, core repairs and magic fixes, but don't toss it just yet. Sometimes all it takes to revive an Xbox 360 is a warm towel wrapped around the console for 10 minutes and a restart. Sure, this is a temporary fix and there are many voices against it, but it is nevertheless the proof that you can still count on Microsoft (unless the towel trick sets your Xbox on fire).

How do you escape the ring of death? It all depends on your karma. If the towel trick works a DIY repair might work too. If the towel trick fails put your faith in Microsoft's repair service and start praying, or do the smart thing and invest your money in a new system. As only 6% of all the Xbox 360s cannot be repaired, don't lose hope and instead of calling Microsoft, try finding a valid Xbox 360 ring of death guide that will lead you through all the steps needed to fix your console without specialized help.

The main reason why an Xbox 360 fails is overheating. A valid Xbox 360 repair guide will teach you how to fix the cooling system instead of advising you to blow hot air into your Xbox or wrap it in towels. Valid Xbox guides come with a money back warrantee but more importantly they lead you to the whole process of fixing your console, step by step, with clear pictures and schematics to help you with every detail. No serious Xbox 360 repair guide vendor will ever promise to have the ultimate solution for your problems. Sometimes what causes the Xbox 360 to fail may be something unrelated to the cooling system - like scratched disks for example. In such situations you need a different guide and seldom need you to invest in a new system.

Obviously all these fixes are valid only for the situation when your Xbox is out of warranty. If your product is still in warranty, let Microsoft fix it. It's free and it's safer for your console.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

Three red lights and here it goes: the Xbox 360 problems known as the Red Ring of Death, 3RLOD, X-Clamp Fix or the Red Lights of Doom. This is every Xbox 360's user worse nightmare, because it could turn into a very costly business, especially for those with low technical skills.

Microsoft tells you that when the lights 1, 3 and 4 of the ring of light are flashing red the problem with your Xbox is a hardware failure, and sure Microsoft would like you to send your Xbox in for repair. Microsoft does not tell you what the possible cause of the failure is. Knowing the cause means knowing the fix, and if you know the fix there is no reason for you to pay Microsoft big money just to learn that the only solution is throwing even more money out of the window to buy a new system.

The 3RLOD problem is mostly related to the graphics processing unit (GPU) - but unfortunately the three flashing lights cannot really tell you what is going wrong.

The hardware might fail because of overheating. This malfunction is probably caused by the employment of the wrong type of lead free solder in the construction of the Xbox. Xbox 360 Elite and Xbox 360 Premium have better heat sinks, and some third party manufacturers even introduced external cooling systems, but the overheating problem is still existent for most of the Xbox 360 users.

The fix is not easy for such a problem - you obviously need to cool down your system. So turn it off and try to expose the Xbox to a very low temperature. Other users report success by using a "towel trick" - wrapping the Xbox in a towel for 10-12 minutes while still on, then turning it off for 15-20 minutes. There are pros and cons for this approach, and most of the users report that this is just a temporary fix, as the problem might recur. The situation is not desperate however. The towel trick is just a quick fix, but other easy DIY fixes are available for those with some tech skill.

The hardware might fail because of scratched disks. Some Xbox 360s lack a mechanism to secure the disc solidly in place. Unfortunately you cannot fix this issue alone, but Microsoft provides support for this problem in its Microsoft Xbox Disk Replacement Program - available solely in the countries where the Xbox was originally bought.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Alexander Thompson

Every Xbox 360 user's nightmare has got to be looking for a fix for his console. Once the three lights of death start shining the quest for the ultimate Xbox 360 repair ebook begins - naturally in the absence of other fixes and particularly if the Xbox is out of warranty. What is even worse: when even the ultimate Xbox 360 repair guide fails, a visit to Microsoft's repair centre is what costs nerves and money.

Considering that about 6% of the Xbox 360s produced are irreparable, it makes no sense to ask Microsoft for help prior to knowing whether the Xbox can be fixed. They'll charge you just to look at the box! Most of the Xbox 360 users who experienced such problems agree that the easiest way to tell if the Xbox 360 can be fixed is to use the towel trick when the three red lights of death are on. There are enough tutorials and videos online demonstrating how this works, probably as many as there are voices that tell you not to play such a trick on your Xbox 360. The towel trick seems to work for many (and in all cases reported it's a temporary fix) but in rare situations it could damage the console forever. Fighting heat with even more heat is probably not the best idea.

Fortunately there are enough user forums, blogs and discussion groups where Xbox 360 users can share their thoughts and experiences, and almost all these resources will point to an Xbox 360 repair ebook that helped. What you need to know is that there is no such a thing as an official Microsoft Xbox repair guide, so if someone even insinuates that they have it, try not to fall for it.

There are however valid fixes for some of the most common Xbox 360 problems. In the quest for the ultimate fix many users ended up destroying their Xbox 360s. To select the best Xbox 360 repair guide you'll probably need to listen to the advice of experts and peers. Find out what worked for other people in a forum, or from gaming friends.

Alexander Thompson is an expert on hardware and software within the games industry.

View his recommended Xbox 360 repair guide by clicking on the link below:
Xbox 360 Repair Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Thompson

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

By Keith Londrie

There are several Xbox 360 bundles that are available today. Many of them can be found by a simple internet search. By visiting Yahoo shopping, you will definitely find an option that fits your needs. Below are just a few of the Xbox 360 bundles that are currently being sold on Yahoo shopping.

The Xbox 360 Ultimate bundle is for anybody who is looking to have a top notch gaming experience. This bundle offers seven different games, as well as a wireless controller and Xbox live headset. Out of all of the Xbox 360 bundles, this one is the most comprehensive package available.

If you are a sports fanatic you need to look into purchasing the Xbox 360 Core Sports Bundle Video Game System. This bundle offers the sports enthusiast everything that they need in order to have the ultimate sports gaming experience. This package is one of the best selling Xbox 360 bundles on the market today. Sports gaming bundles often sell out quicker than any other bundle.

The Xbox 360 Core System bundle allows for users to start with all of the basics and then expand to the full experience at their own pace. This bundle comes with all of the standard features that you would expect, as well as some popular add-ons and games; including Madden NFL 2006.

Bundles are the best way to get all of the features that you need without having to pay for each one separately. Buying a bundle is the best way to save money when trying to upgrade your Xbox. Bundles give the user the ability to buy everything they need in one cost effective package, instead of buying each game and accessory as separate add-on. Check out all of the available bundles, and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Since the Xbox 360 was introduced to the market a couple of months ago there has been a lot of talk about its reliability and durability. This talk has surfaced online, in print, and on the television. After all of the hype people were starting to wonder if it was all for not. The best place to gather information on this subject is Internet message boards. These boards have opinions from users all over the world who have had problems with their Xbox 360 console.

After scouring these pages, it appears that the biggest complaint is that the Xbox 360 is too fragile. Of course there are some people that are discounting this theory before they even look at all of the facts. But they may be right; even if the Xbox 360 console is fragile does it really matter. It is not like the system has to be moved around very often.

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://about-xbox.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on Xbox 360 that you can research on the internet. Please Visit http://about-xbox.info/ now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Londrie

Labels: Xbox 360, Xbox 360 by Microsoft

Got an Xbox? Lucky you. Got an Xbox with flashing red lights instead of green ones? Not so lucky huh? Unfortunately you have joined the ever expanding group of console owners facing what has become known in gaming circles as the dreaded red ring of death. Although the exact figure seems to be hard to pinpoint, the failure rate of these consoles is estimated to be in the range of fifty to sixty percent of all units sold which of course is a huge number in anyone's language.

If you are one of the unlucky people that is stuck with a malfunctioning console you do have a couple of options. The first one is to send it back to Microsoft for the repair. Microsoft has so generously extended the warranty on the xbox but only if you bought it new and have your receipt of purchase and providing that it has not been modified or the case opened up at all. Expect a delay of up to eight weeks for the return of your console and as some people are reporting, there is no guarantee that it will work flawlessly when it does arrive back.

Another option is to do a search around the net and follow some of the 'home remedies' that people have posted around the place. You may have seen the infamous towel trick where you wrap the console in a couple of towels and run it for a while. There are a few other 'tricks' around as well as the towel trick and if you do choose this way don't be disappointed if more harm than good is done! A few people report that some of these methods work for a short time while others have reported that their console is now ruined and needs extensive repairs. Tread with caution!

The most reliable and cost-effective way of repairing the dreaded red ring of death comes in the form of a do-it-yourself repair guide. These guides are written by people that have repaired hundreds, if not thousands of failed consoles and a few come complete with video instruction to help you along the way. There is no need for any fancy tools either with the majority of repairs needing only basic tools that you will normally have around the house. This method sure beats risking doing more damage to your expensive console or having to wait weeks for something that is not guaranteed to solve your problem anyway!

With a visit to Tried n Tested you could be just an hour away from enjoying your Xbox once more. This information brought to by http://triedntested.info/archives/27

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Wilson

Labels: Xbox 360

* Intense action thriller with stunning next-generation graphics and amazing special effects
* Play as both a U.S. Marine and British S.A.S. soldier fighting through an unfolding story full of twists and turns
* Enter treacherous hotspots around the globe to take on a rogue enemy group threatening the world
* Use sophisticated technology, superior firepower, and coordinated land and air strikes on a battlefield where speed, accuracy, and communication are essential to victory
* Depth of multiplayer action providing online fans an all-new community of persistence, addictive, and customizable gameplay

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the new action thriller from the award-winning team at Infinity Ward, the creators of the Call of Duty series, delivers the most intense and cinematic action experience ever.

Armed with an arsenal of advanced and powerful modern-day firepower, players are transported to treacherous hotspots around the globe to take on a rogue enemy group threatening the world. As both a U.S. Marine and British S.A.S. soldier fighting through an unfolding story full of twists and turns, players use sophisticated technology, superior firepower, and coordinated land and air strikes on a battlefield where speed, accuracy, and communication are essential to victory.

The epic title also delivers an added depth of multiplayer action providing online fans an all-new community of persistence, addictive, and customizable gameplay.

Features:
* Authentic advanced weaponry: Featuring an available arsenal of more than 70 new and authentic weapons and gear from assault rifles with laser sites, claymore mines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and M-249 SAW machine guns. With accessories like night-vision goggles and ghillie suits for maximum concealment, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has players locked and loaded to accomplish the mission.
* Coordinated assault and support: Delivering the most visceral action thriller ever, the title covers modern battle from the soldier to the satellite, where the need for air support is critical to success. The adrenaline rush deployment enlists gamers to fast-rope from tactical helicopters, ride in an armada of attack choppers, utilize jets to remove enemy strongholds, and even engage hostiles from thousands of feet above the ground inside a state-of-the-art aerial gunship.
* Cinematic-quality graphics and sound: Featuring stunning next-generation graphics, players will be drawn into the cinematic intensity of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Amazing special effects, including realistic depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming, as well as physics-enabled effects, will enlist players into the most photo-realistic gaming experience. Combine the lifelike graphics and the realistic battle chatter with the Call of Duty award-winning sound design and players will face battle as they never have before.
* Unparalleled depth to multiplayer: Multiplayer builds from the success of Call of Duty 2 delivering a persistent online experience for greater community interaction. Featuring create-a-class options allowing players to customize gear that is best suited for play, to experience points enabling unlockables and perks, all the way to matchmaking and leaderboards for the latest in tracking, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's multiplayer is set to deliver easily accessible and addictive online play for all.

Product Description
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the new action-thriller from the award-winning team at Infinity Ward, the creators of the Call of Duty series, delivers the most intense and cinematic action experience ever. Armed with an arsenal of advanced and powerful modern day firepower, players are transported to treacherous hotspots around the globe to take on a rogue enemy group threatening the world. As both a U.S Marine and British S.A.S. soldier fighting through an unfolding story full of twists and turns, players use sophisticated technology, superior firepower and coordinated land and air strikes on a battlefield where speed, accuracy and communication are essential to victory. The epic title also delivers an added depth of multiplayer action providing online fans an all-new community of persistence, addictive and customizable gameplay. ESRB Rated M for Mature

Most Helpful Customer Reviews:

By Prometheus -
After seeing all the 5-star reviews I've decided perhaps a little level-headedness is in order to offset the rave reviews from folks who seem to be unable to see anything wrong with this game. No doubt that very statement (and this review's title) will garner a few 'unhelpful' votes, but what the heck, I'm doing this to help folks, not to be popular.

Now don't get me wrong - I like the game very much, BUT I feel that a review has to point out potential drawbacks with a game if it's to be any use to readers. Often we have to wade through tens of reviews that don't mention a single drawback - those reviews aren't helpful because they don't really tell players anything about the game. After waiting in vain for any truly helpful reviews on Amazon or elsewhere I decided to buy the game anyway and I've decided to post here in the hope that my review can help people like me who have been sitting on the fence.

So here's a critical review so that other potential buyers can know what the game truly offers and where it has problems. After all, if a buyer is forewarned he can't be disappointed when he gets the game. So what I'm going to do here is tell people all the stuff - good and bad - so that they will be able to make an informed choice. I think warning people about the bad stuff will help them to like this great game even more. Anyway, on with the review...

The game is very fast-paced and feels like the previous CoD titles. It looks and feels very realistic, so players of previous CoD titles will not be disappointed. As in previous titles the player is thrust into a number of different personas - in this case a British and an American soldier (and a little vignette at the start where the player plays the president of an Eastern European nation). The controls are exactly the same as in previous CoD titles, but there are a few more controls to get used to for planting Claymore charges and for using night vision and other tools of the modern battlefield. While these extras make the game a bit steeper in terms of the learning curve their use is relatively rare in the single-player part of the game and the game tells the player what to do when their use is necessary so I think most players will be able to handle this with little frustration.

The graphics seem better than CoD3 - it all seems to be in higher definition and it looks great on my 61" widescreen TV. CoD2 and 3 looked a little bit pixellated but this one is just fine. We're not at photorealism yet though, so some images are a little bit off in terms of shading (especially in the intro movie) and characters' faces are a bit cartoonish, but this is not really an issue - after all it's only a game and the characters' faces aren't really that much of an issue when you're hopefully going to kill most characters while they're a hundred yards or more away.

The game experience is very fast-paced and the difficulty is about the same as CoD3, but in this game the save points seem to be much closer together so we don't have the same frustrations of nearly getting through a level and then having to go waaay back if we get killed. The developers have done an excellent job here - I wish the people who made Rainbow Six Vegas had instituted a save point system as good as the one in this game - that would have stopped me from throwing that game's disc across the room in frustration and vowing never to buy another Rainbow Six game.

Now for a really tough criticism: the single player game is very short. I'd say it's quite a bit shorter than the previous CoD titles - or at least it feels that way. As a player who does not have Xbox Live this is a serious flaw. However, the game is very fast-paced and involving so I guess it could be that the game just seems to go by so very fast because of the involving storyline. Anyway I timed my first play-through at around 6 hours - I think that's a bit short.

Another harsh criticism: no co-op mode. To me it is astonishing that so many modern console games don't have a split-screen co-op mode. I want to play this game with my wife but we can't. Too bad! I realise that CoD games don't usually have co-op mode but can we not evolve?

Another issue is that although the game is extremely involving and exciting with some key moments that will live in the memory for years, it doesn't seem to have the historic feel of CoD2 or CoD3. I suppose that's to be expected from a game set in a fictitious modern day setting, but nevertheless I did feel a little something was missing due to this issue. Also, although the setting IS original it SEEMS a little unoriginal. I've played a lot of modern warfare games and this one seems much like them - Full Spectrum Warrior comes to mind and although CoD4's storyline is a bit more complex than FSW the general situation seems very much like deja vu: we keep nearly catching the bad guy and he keeps just eluding us. But then again with a game like this that's based on modern day terrorist warfare maybe that's always going to be a drawback - after all the game has to keep us thinking that big things are at stake, and this game manages that very well.

On a more positive note some of the scenes in the game are amazing - a couple of times I just stood in awe at the stuff that was happening, and to the developers' credit they allow you enough time (but not too much) to appreciate these awe-inspiring moments. Without giving too much away, the last part of the film had me impatient to get the mission done - it really draws the player in and gets him committed to an extent that I haven't felt since I played Knights of the Old Republic a few years ago. This game doesn't have any amazing surprises like the one in KotOR, but some moments come close in that "Oh my God that is AWESOME!" kind of way.

As I've mentioned before I can't comment on the multiplayer aspects of this game, although judging by the single-player experience I'd say it would have to be as good as or better than any other similar game. The player is realistically bound to a real-world movement speed so I expect this will make the game more realistic in online play. On the other hand, there's not much cover to be had, and the cover there is seems to be very easily shot through, so it may not be as good as Rainbow Six Vegas or Gears of War in that regard. But anyway, as I said, I shouldn't really comment as I haven't played in multiplayer.

All-in-all from a single-player perspective this game is excellent in terms of fun value, but overall I knock off a couple of stars because the game is just too darned short and there's no co-op mode. I toyed with knocking just one star off for this, but the game does seem annoyingly short - I'd say it needs at least another hour of play, and maybe two or more in order to be really satisfying. Added to this, the lack of co-op mode is infuriating. Still, I'm definitely glad I bought the game - after all I got much more fun than I'd get from a great movie on DVD, but I got about three times more fun time for only twice the cost of a DVD. After reviewing my review maybe three stars is, after all, a bit harsh. Sadly I can't adjust my initial rating without deleting the review and resubmitting it. Ah well, maybe it serves to offset all the fanboys' overblown 5-star ratings.

So, I advise people who have Xbox Live to run out and buy this game right now! Those who don't have Xbox live might want to consider their purchase a bit more. But if they don't find my review daunting I don't think they'll be disappointed - I've pointed out all the bad things that I can see in the game, so no one can say they haven't been warned about the bad stuff (which is mainly the game's short length and the missing co-op mode).

By V "tazzmanian" (California (Air Force), USA) -
When it comes to FPS's, and any other shooter for that matter, you have your current kings, namely: Halo, Rainbow Six (and all of it's "spawns", like GRAW) and Gears of War (still). Throw BioShock in there if you want... whatever. You get the point. Now - take from each of those games the best aspects... throw them together, and you have Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Simply put - you'll love this game, even if you don't like military or first-person shooters. If you're the type that strictly plays the single-player mode, then I'd rent first, just to be sure it's for you. For me, even the story mode keeps me coming back. This game is a BEAST, and it's a BEAST on every platform it's on - 360, PS3 and PC.

Infinity Ward understands FPS's - their absence was noticed immediately in Call of Duty 3, which sucked. They're back. This game is a few MINOR elements away from absolute perfection, in my opinion. And you don't get better than perfection.

I'll get the little gripes out of the way:

1. No Co-Op campaign. As frantic as every stage is, coupled with the fact that there's really no point on the game where you're not at least with ONE other player - usually more - I thought this should be available. It's pretty much standard now in the next-gen FPS's, but surprisingly absent here. Hmmm...

2. The whole 'friendly-fire' thing... I realize that this is realistic, but it's pretty frustrating sometimes - moreso here than in a game like Rainbow Six, simply because there's no easily identifiable icon or marker. I don't need THAT level of realism in a game - just my opinion. Yes, your recticle is red if it's on an enemy and green for a friendly, but during all of the fighting, that's really hard to see. Coupled with the fact that a lot of the enemies are wearing uniforms pretty similar to YOURS, you may end up accidentally shooting your squad more than you'd care to admit, especially on the Veteran difficulty level.

(That's really it for the 'gripes' - the other is more of an personal preference for me. I'd rather have more gameplay modes available in the multiplayer right off the bat, but I can also see how starting off with just the initial two works.

You may notice that I haven't complained about the duration of the story mode... while short, I doubt that any of the other reviewers that are slamming it have "breezed through in a few hours" on any difficulty higher than Sick Infant - that's before Rookie, if you're wondering. The story is compelling; there are actual moments where your chest and heart actually POUND - tell me the "All Ghillied Up" stage didn't have you holding your breath in real life, I dare you. Other games, while significantly longer, don't always fill their time with substance. A game like BioShock doesn't have an online mode, so it's story HAS to carry it entirely. Halo 3 is longer, sure... but most of it is retracing your steps back through previously played boards. No thank you. Apart from an effective story mode, this game's "bread and butter" is in the online multiplayer. Just like Halo 3. Just like RB6: Vegas. Just like Gears of War. Online play is what will keep this game, and others, being played for years to come.)

...and that's it, folks. Nothing else bad here. AT ALL. Period.

Gameplay - the game is phenomenal. Even if the campaign is rather on the short side (took about 6 or so hours playing on Normal - Veteran or Hardened will probably double that time, plus some) it is undeniably entertaining. While it may not necessarily be breaking new ground as far as plot, it STILL is far more engaging that Rainbow Six: Vegas's campaign mode, which is great, as well as Gears of War and even the mighty Halo 3. (just my opinion) (A+)

Graphics - arguably the best on any console, period. I give it the nod over Gears of War and BioShock - this is the best looking game I have ever played, and it runs (with all the chaos going on) at a smooth 60 frames per second is 1080P HD glory. The word gets thrown around alot with these newer systems, but this game is truly Photo-Realistic. The only thing I've seen comparable would be Crysis, another military shooter -and that's (not surprisingly) a PC-only game at the moment. It absolutely does not get any better than COD4. (A++)

Sound - as good as anything out now. The musical numbers are all spot-on, and the dialogue and combat chatter is phenomenal. Top notch all the way around - no "forced" sounding acting here. This games sounds like it was recorded during actual combat. (A+)

Multiplayer - time will tell if it will stand up to the insanely deep Halo Multiplayer mode, or the ridiculously addictive multiplayer modes on GoW or RB6, but even in this early stage COD4 is more than holding it's own. Choose from a preset variety of classes - sniper, assault, heavy gunner, etc. and get to killing. Kill enough and eventually unlock the ability to create your OWN class - and that's where the fun really gets going. There's a rank structure, but with there being absolutly ZERO offical multiplayer achievements, hopefully this will minimize people's tendency to cheat. (big problem on RB6) Ranking up does have it's privileges, however... different weapons, customizations for those weapons (scopes, skins, etc.) How new players feel about playing months from now when the majority of their combatants have superior equipment remains to be seen... balancing could be an issue there. The way it's set up though, if you're good at FPS's (and you know who you are), you will be alright. There's some work to be done with the team balancing... and I would prefer the ability to choose which maps I play on during ranked matches, but all in all, pretty solid. (A)

Replay Value - extremely high, even with a relatively short campaign. All of the achievements for the game come from the Campaign mode, yet over half of them require you to beat the game on one of the two harder difficulty levels. (not recommended for first-timers - frustration WILL ensue... as well as bullets, grenades and dog bites) Hell, even the TRAINING MODULE is fun and gets replay - Halo can't say that. This game is ridiculous. Even as varied as multiplayer is by nature, the Prestige Mode adds a new level to it. Make it all the way to Level 55, then you have "a tough decision" to make... (A+)

Overall - Dangerously Good. I give it an A+, or a solid 9.9998 out of 10 (I stand by the fact that a co-op campaign would render a potential Call of Duty 5 pointless) This is one of the best games ever. After playing the Beta earlier this year, I proclaimed that this could be a sleeper for Game of the Year, while everyone else was obviously sold on Halo... maybe a few for BioShock. This has them both, hands down. The only surprising part is how convincingly better this game is than the other GOTY frontrunners. All other FPS's (particularly military FPS's) need to take notice - this is BY FAR the best ever. (Note to Tom Clancy and the folks at UbiSoft: you have work to do for that next Rainbow Six. The bar is WAY up there now... don't disappoint)

A definite must own, especially for XBox Live subscribers - this is the best for this year. No not Halo - Call of Duty 4. Period. The only thing I see that could pull people away from this even for a moment would potentially be Grand Theft Auto 4.

By N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) -
For the fourth installment of the series once set in World War II, the Call of Duty series moves to the present day (thankfully), and what results is by far the best Call of Duty game to see the light of day yet. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare may very well be one of the best first person shooter's you'll ever play on any system, as it features astounding production values and brilliant multiplayer modes on XBox Live. The graphics and visual presentation are simply gorgeous, as are the spectacular sound effects, which is something the series has always done particularly well. Controls are sharp and the multiplayer elements make Call of Duty 4 worth picking up alone, but there is one glaring flaw that is unavoidable to notice. The single player campaign is short, quite short in fact. You could probably finish the game's single player campaign in an afternoon if you so desired, which is a big time drawback if multiplayer gaming isn't your thing. If it is your thing though, you'll find it a blast here, and even though the single player campaign is lacking, Call of Duty 4 is still definitely worth picking up. All in all, Call of Duty 4 is by far the best game in the series yet, and if you're leary of the change of scenery, fear not, war shooters don't get any better than this.

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Labels: Xbox 360

* Experience 4 music games in 1--master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Music spans all genres of rock and includes many master recordings from legendary artists.
* Form your own band, create and customize your own rocker, and travel on a fast rise to fame around the world.
* Choose single-player Career mode leading a band or multiplayer as part of the band or against each other--in person or online. Supports downloadable content for never-ending challenges.
* The Rock Band Special Edition includes the Xbox 360 game, a guitar controller, drum set, and microphone.

Tap into your Rock & Roll fantasy as you pick your axe, form a band and tour for fame and fortune, all while sticking the rock credo of learning your instrument as you go in Rock Band.

Bring the house to its feet in Rock Band

For those about to rock!
Solo Tour Mode

Jam solo if that's your thing. View larger.
Band world tour mode

Or try multiplayer action. View larger.
Step to the mic

Step to the mic. View larger.
Drum like a wildman!

Or go Bonzo on the skins! View larger.
Developed by Harmonix, creators of the blockbuster Guitar Hero franchise, Rock Band is an all-new platform for gamers ready to take on the challenges of the Rock & Roll lifestyle. Instruments available to players are guitar, bass, drums or vocals as they hit the road as either an aspiring superstar solo act, or for the first time in game genre history take on the true collaborative and challenging nature of music as they form a band and jam together in multiplayer action from home or around the world. Either way players will need to master their stage presence through the various game modes and polish their rock chops via the unrivaled Rock Band song list if they hope to make it out of the garage, into the clubs and finally on to the main stage.

* Rock Band Special Edition for Xbox 360 includes: guitar, mic, drum kit peripherals plus software.


Extensive Game Modes.
Rock Band delivers four music games in one - challenging rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals through the five separate game modes.

* Tutorial Mode: Master the basics! No need for experience. Pick your weapon of choice and ascend from beginner to rock god.
* Practice Mode: Perfect your tune! Breakdown any part of any song at your preferred speed before hitting the main stage.
* Quickplay Mode: Instant fix of fun! Jump into any unlocked song for some quick jam time either on your own or with other players.
* Solo Tour Mode: Take it on the road! Pack up your instrument of choice and set out on the open road for a fun and challenging single player career.
* Band World Tour Mode: Conquer the world! The journey to rock stardom takes you from small town bars to world-renowned venues. Earn fame and fortune along the way to secure rock star necessities.

A Song List That Goes to Eleven!
Built on unprecedented deals with top record labels and music publishers, the mix of remastered originals and covers that make up the epic Rock Band song list puts players in the shoes of legendary artists from day one. And with the promise of additional downloadable songs and albums you are sure to be rockin’ for some time to come. In addition to the 45 tracks listed below, Rock Band will also feature 13 songs ranging from a variety of established bands to up-and-coming independent artists that can be unlocked as you play through the game. Track list includes:

* Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter"
* Aerosmith "Train Kept a Rollin'"
* The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
* Boston "Foreplay/Long Time"
* Mountain "Mississippi Queen"
* The Police "Next to You"
* David Bowie "Suffragette City"
* Black Sabbath "Paranoid"
* Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
* The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"
* Deep Purple "Highway Star"
* KISS "Detroit Rock City"
* Molly Hatchet "Flirtin' With Disaster"
* The Outlaws "Green Grass & High Tides"
* Sweet "Ballroom Blitz"
* Rush "Tom Sawyer"
* Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
* The Clash "Should I Stay or Should I Go"
* Faith No More "Epic"
* R.E.M. "Orange Crush"
* Iron Maiden "Run to the Hills"*
* Foo Fighters "Learn to Fly"
* Metallica "Enter Sandman"
* Nirvana "In Bloom"
* Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"
* Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
* Smashing Pumpkins "Cherub Rock"
* Radiohead "Creep"
* Beastie Boys "Sabotage"
* Hole "Celebrity Skin"
* Garbage "I Think I'm Paranoid"
* Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"
* The Hives "Main Offender"
* Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"
* The Strokes "Reptilia"
* Jet "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
* OK Go "Here It Goes Again"
* Nine Inch Nails "The Hand That Feeds"
* Pixies "Wave of Mutilation"
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Maps"
* Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California"
* Coheed & Cambria "Welcome Home"
* Fallout Boy "Dead on Arrival"
* The Killers "When You Were Young"
* New Pornographers "Electric Version"



Product Description
Time to release your inner rock star! Dive into Rock Band's challenging and addicting game modes and rock out to your favorite tunes. Put together a band, play in it, and tour for fame and fortune- all while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. Major record labels and leading music publishers have signed on to provide unrivaled access to master recordings and legendary rock artists - from punk, metal and alternative to classic and southern rock - including many master recordings from legendary artists, including acts like Metallica, Bon Jovi, Stone Temple Pilots and the Ramones! Learn to play songs spanning all genres of rock and with access to new downloadable content, it's a new concert experience every time! Play together in your living room or across the world - Rock Band offers deep online functionality, allowing players to rock together whether they're in Rhode Island or Reykjavik. This Special Edition box includes game, guitar, microphone and drum set -- everything you need to get in the game and rock out! Call out the crowd! Vocalists can bring the crowd to their feet during Rock Band's freestyle vocal fill windows. Ad-lib your own words or shout to the crowd to raise the rock intensity of the performance. Band mates can fail out of a song for poor performance, but the band still plays on. Rescue your failing mate by busting out signature moves and blistering solos to wow the crowd with showmanship. Boost your bonus! Earn bonus points for your band during Rock Band's Unison Phrase opportunities if everyone plays perfectly. ESRB Rated T for Teen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews


243 of 258 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Harmonix Delivers another Slam Dunk, November 20, 2007
By Lisa Shea "LisaShea.com" - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Let me first admit that I'm a Guitar Hero fan. I adore playing all of the Guitar Hero games, and we have multiple guitars in the house (for multiple platforms) so that we can jam together. When Harmonix turned over Guitar Hero III to another company, I was really curious what they would choose to do next. I am THRILLED with the result - Rock Band, which combines together all the fun of singing karaoke, playing guitar (lead and bass) plus DRUMS!!!

My boyfriend is in several bands, and he plays lead guitar, bass guitar and drums. I love to sing. So we have played many, many games in all of these genres (including the Donkey Kong Konga game which is surprisingly fun). We were quite interested to see how the Harmonix guys would merge these variety of instruments into a single game.

First, the instruments. The guitar is FAR better than the guitars previously released for Guitar Hero. The buttons are "full fret" making the much easier to press. You don't have that annoying ridge line. You get TWO sets of buttons in fact - one for easier guitar solo play. You have sound settings. I can't say enough about this guitar. The only thing it lacks is stickers :) Really, couldn't they include a sticker set or two, to customize the thing? A minor flaw :)

The drum set is REALLY cool. It comes with a stand and it has a very nice feel to it. My boyfriend complained a bit about the wood sticks not being smooth, but heck, you're not paying for high quality sticks here.

There is a four-plug USB hub so you can actually plug all these items into your XBox 360 :) And there's a few headset adaptors, and a microphone. We already had several of these.

Now for gameplay. The graphics are visually lovely, although really, with up to four people playing and singing, the background stuff is pretty meaningless. The screen is taken up by all of the progress bars and alert bars and so on. I do have to comment that the customization for your characters is AWESOME. You customize their style of movement (punk, rock, etc), their facial look, hair style, eye color and much more. Plus you can buy all sorts of great outfits in the store. Never mind equipment. They really went overboard in this area.

I found when I played an instrument whose track was on the far left (the lead guitar, for example) that I could easily see the "overall progress" bar showing how everyone in the band was doing. I could see that the drum guy was doing poorly and slipping down into the red. However, when *I* was playing the drums - and the visual for my drum track was on the far right - I had NO idea how well or poorly I was doing. That overall band progress display was on the far left (past the other instruments' tracks) and there was no way to watch both my own drum note list and see how I was doing at the same time. So you almost need to designate whoever is playing in that far left track as the "band alert person" to yell out if someone is doing not so well.

The band works as a unit. If for example the drums are doing poorly, but the guitarist is doing well, the guitarist can use their energy the rev up the crowd which helps everyone in the band. So the guitarist can save the drummer, for example. On the other hand, if the drummer is really bad, after a few failures, the crowd gives up. You can't have the remaining players try to play the song out.

Which brings up one of my only complaints about the game. Let's say you start a band "Asia" with the leader being a drummer. Now any time Asia wants to continue on their career, the drummer MUST BE PLAYING. In real life, band members change positions sometimes. You have a drummer who also likes to sing. But here, if you have a position set as the leader, the game can't be played (with that band and the songs it's unlocked) without that instrument being played. We found that really annoying. You should be able to say that person X now wants to play instrument Y and keep going.

Now, interestingly, my boyfriend plays the drums. He found the drum pads AWFUL to use and thought they were broken. We swapped off and he took over guitar while I played with the drums. I did a 100% performance. So it's something about the way you hit them. I *think* they have to be hit pretty close to dead center, with a sharp rap. I'm not a drummer so undoubtedly I'm not hitting them "technically right" but I am able to sail through many songs on easy with 100%. So it's a matter of getting used to how they work.

The vocal / mike track is much like any karaoke game, and you "yell" to activate overdrive. It's a lot of fun. I did try several songs with a mike stand setup so I could play guitar and sing at the same time. It was a lot of fun - but part of the mike track is "cowbells" where you're supposed to thwap the microphone in time to the beat. Unfortunately if you're busy playing the guitar or drums you no longer can thwap the microphone. I tried yelling "POP" and it worked about half the time, if I used a very snappy sound to my POP. Still, it's a shame you can't sing and play because of this.

The songs in this list are GREAT. I really love some of them, and there were few that I simply didn't like at all. It's cool that they have multiple venues per location, instead of the Guitar Hero games where there was just "one Boston" and so on. You have to actually earn a Van or Bus or whatever to move on to a new city. You actually build up a fan base as you go, and lose it if you do poorly. That is all very cool. On the down side, the progression of songs is rather odd. You can play 2 songs you like in Boston, and then go to Chicago and play the exact two songs again to earn more stars there. The songs seem to unlock slowly. I'm also not overly fond of several modes where you have no idea what songs are coming up until 2 seconds before the songs begin.

They do have a training mode and solo mode, but really you figure the great appeal of this game is to play with your friends, using the various instruments. So we found that interface - where you are stuck with a single leader, and it is very much one-person-one-instrument oriented, to be a bit frustrating. Sure, I love playing drums - but I love playing guitar too! Sometimes I love to sing. It didn't seem like it should be THAT bad to let a person switch instruments once you'd unlocked a bunch of venues and songs.

Finally, I really like that right from the start you have access to all difficulty modes, and can set them by person. So if you have a really great guitarist in your family, and someone who is perhaps younger or just getting started, the great guitarist can set themselves to difficult and the younger person can set to easy and both can have a really fun, challenging time.

I am really looking forward to new song downloads too, and imagine that could make this game last years and years and be just as much fun.

Highly, highly recommended if you can get your hands on this thing. We were there right when the store opened to get our hands on ours, and it sold out immediately. Well worth tracking down!! Note that I have photos of the instruments on my website and am happy to answer any other questions you guys have about this game.
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76 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Are you ready to rock?!, November 20, 2007
By M. B Cole "Kegrun" (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
When I first heard that Harmonix was creating Rock Band, I thought to myself, "Guitar Hero Remix". Until I heard about the mic and then the sweet drum set. So I was amped for this to come out. Then GH3 came out and all I could think of was "Dang...Rock Band better be awesome cause I just can not put GH3 down". Then I hit up my local Best Buy with a mock set-up of RB..and once I hit those sticks on those drum pads..I was in heaven. I was already going to buy RB, but now I HAD to have it.

I bought it the day it came out as soooon as my local Target opened up. Went straight home (with Kane & Lynch also...which at this time hasnt been played..heh) and began opening it up. After a few minutes of setting up (drums take a few parts to put together..nothing hard though..no tools), I was ready to go.

I started off with the drums (like probably most people). I'm gonna have to say..they are a lot tougher than I thought they were gonna be. I've never played drums in my life so it's gonna take a little time to get used to them. When I tried them at Best Buy...they had a demo that didnt include the base pedal. Well now I have to worry about stepping on that, while also worrying about where I'm slamming my two sticks at also. Sounds easy right? I really dont think so..least not yet..lol. By no means am I dogging this part though. I can see that this will be a lot of fun, especially when you start playing on Hard. On Easy the beats are so slow that I really do not feel like a rocker... I feel more like I'm some slow drummer in some jazz band. But I know it's like that to get people like myself accustomed to this new piece of equipment.

Secondly, I grabbed the new guitar. I put it on Medium and began playing a bunch of songs. I looovveee this guitar. The top fret buttons feel so good. One the edge of the green button and the orange button, there is a lift about half an inch high. So when you start playing on Hard or Expert and you start moving up and down the fret buttons trying to hit every button, you won't get lost cause you'll bump into those lifts. Definitely helps out. Also at the bottom you have 5 more fret buttons with the same color. Once a 'solo' appears on screen (the background will be a shade of blue) you can use these buttons and not even have to strum. Just hit the buttons once the button appears on the line. So much fun and you feel like even more of a rocker. The selector on the guitar has a bunch of sound effects that you can do on the fly. Pretty cool I guess, but I swear I cant hear a difference. Not saying it's not there, but I just havent heard the difference yet. The ONLY gripe I have about the guitar is the Whammy Bar. Its so dang long and almost gets in the way of my strummer. It looks very good, but I'm just not diggin it. It's not crazy bad where you would hate the guitar, but I would have liked it just a bit shorter. One last thing about the guitar. My roommate is insanely good at Guitar Hero and he is in absolute love with this new guitar and the new way it plays out on Rock Band. He doesnt even want to look at the GH guitars anymore..lol. He has issues with the whammy also though.

The Mic is next. I've never played a karaoke game before on any system. I never really cared for it (even though I do like Karaoke sometimes...when I'm drinking). I also didnt really know how it worked. Well before I stopped playing RB for a while, I decided to try it out. HOOKED. Seriously hooked on this part of the game right now. I was laughing at first while singing cause it was just funny to me, but then I really started getting into it. Then my roommate wanted to join in with the guitar. So we picked Creep and aced the crap out of it. Next thing you know we had Mississippi Queen playing and then I'm standing up and just rockin the mic. Right then I could just TELL this was going to be a very fun party game. I'm getting off track here. Ok, back on. When you sing you have to keep the pitch or tone of your voice on track with the line that shows on the screen. There is an arrow that will let you know if you are to high or to low. When it's time for your 'energy' meter (star power), you can just make any noise or statement you want to to activate it. I just usually hold out the note of the last word longer than usual to activate it...or scream ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?! (cause it always gets a laugh..lol). The only thing I dont care for is that you have to tap the mic on certain parts to make a tambourine sound or a cow bell sound. It's not bad if you are JUST singing, but I can see how that would be crap if you were playing a guitar or drum also. It doesnt HURT you if you miss those beats, but you dont get extra points. So far I love the mic, but probably cause I've never played those Karaoke games before like I said.

Although the 360 version isnt wireless cause of Microsofts greedy self (they use a proprietary wireless that they charge companies to use and Harmonix didnt want to pay for it so they could keep the PS3 and the 360 versions the same price), it's not TOOOO bad. The wires are a lot longer than the GH guitar wires. Plus the 4 port USB that comes with the game is a godsend for this game (make sure you have one more outlet for the USB plug). Hopefully they'll make some wireless stuff later.

When you start your career, you'll get to start customizing your guy or gal you want to use. Lot of different things you can do also...I was very surprised. If you ever played any of the Def Jam fighting games, then you might think back to those games like I did. Faces, Rock Styles (fighting styles on Def Jam), Hair, Height, Color, Rings, Bracelets, Pants, Shoes, Shirts, Tattoos. It's crazy. Lots of items to choose from the start and more and more as you get farther into the game. I unlocked 5 things in 5 songs I believe. I cant talk much about career mode since I stopped after my first 5 songs since I had to get ready for work. What I played though was really fun and what I've read and seen on videos (mainly from the rockbands website) its seems like it's going to be a blast.

I still love Guitar Hero. 1, 2 and 3. Not 80's, but whatever. I'm still gonna play them because of certain songs. But I think Rock Band has become my new favorite. Especially since once in a while, we have a good group of people show up to just drink and play GH. I think Rock Band is gonna replace that thanks to the 4 player support, GREAT song list, and more than just a guitar or two to play with. Actually I know it is..lol.

While you are reading this... I'm pretty sure I'm playing Rock Band. =D

***UPDATE for 22 Nov 07.***

2 more gripes about this game.

1. Harmonix seemed to use a LOT of constant repetitious notes..for example..you have to hit the blue button say...6 times in a row..then the red..6 times in a row..then back to blue..6 times in a row...then yellow..six times in a row...and on and on. I dont mind this on some songs...but I'm just saying they used it a lot this time around. Even my roommate was getting aggravated with it.

2. I believe my guitar is starting to act up like others that I have read. My strum bar after only a day is getting less responsive on the down strokes. I'm missing notes for no reason. I started using the up stroke instead and now I'm hitting ever note. I'm gonna send a request for a new guitar soon. Usually I'm not a victim of the faulty hardware that many people come across (I've never even seen a red ring of death in person on the 360...knock on wood), but this time I think I am. *sigh*

Cool stuff I like though since I first posted.

1. I figured out how to use the Guitar sound effects switch. Gotta be using star power (energy..whatever). Very fun!

2. Love how the star power adds up even while you are using it. Huge improvement over GH's.

Thats it for now.

LOVE this game...really I do. Just wish the guitar didnt start messing up. =(

***UPDATE for 23 Nov 07.***

2 really cool new things I like.

1. I REALLY love how when you are doing good during a song...the crowd starts to sing along with the song. WOW! That made me feel more like I was there than GH ever did. Very cool feature.

2. During Thanksgiving...I took my game over to a friends house. We had enough people to put a 4 player group together. Talk about A LOT of fun. 2 people never even touched GH before. Yet they had a blast playing all three instruments. The one girl I was playing with who I would have thought would've been on the mic more since she likes karaoke STOLE the drum set almost the whole time..she loved it. It was a lot of fun watching her beat the crap out of the set..lol. I was on mic most of the time since most were scared of it. Sometimes other people took the mic over, and even though they were sometimes bad..it was never embarrassing. Most of the time the other people were to engaged into their own playing or either it was so bad that it wasnt embarrassing, but just down right funny.

I had way to much fun with that game this Thanksgiving. Like I said way earlier..I knew this would be a great party game. We didnt even think about putting GH in.
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65 of 123 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay - Let's Get Serious, December 4, 2007
By Brian Seiler (Tomball, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
Kind of shocked there aren't more less-than-stellar reviews at the time that I write this, so I'll clarify some things before I begin. For starters, we need to understand what we're reviewing. We're not reviewing the game simply as a game, but instead the game and the three external control devices that you get for the princely sum of one hundred and seventy dollars. That's going to be important in a minute.

That out of the way, quick summary - Rock Band is basically Guitar Hero with drums and vocals, or, if you're not familiar with that game (for all you parents out there that couldn't possibly care less), it's a game where you take a plastic guitar or microphone or funny looking drum set and play along with some popular music roughly from the general direction of rock, probably with your friends. Since I'm talking to the parents, I'll take this opportunity to let you know that unless you're strictly conservative (as in Shakers or so level of moral conservatism), this game is probably okay for your children so far as the content goes. My filters don't pick up anything objectionable in the content that comes with the game.

Now, this game is really four games (guitar, vocal, drum, and multiplayer) so let's look at each independently.

The guitar part is unquestionably the best element of the game, which makes sense, since it's just an extension of Guitar Hero in that regard and that was pretty well refined at the point that Harmonix handed it off. Comparing it to its nearest competitor (Guitar Hero 3), the set lists are better, the song styles are more varied, and the tabulature makes a lot more sense (Guitar Hero 3 was developed primarily by game designers, so they had a terrible tendency to just make everything a chord in hard and beyond, while the folks at Harmonix are all musicians, so things that should be single notes typically are only single notes). The controller, however, is a weakness.

First off, if your controller isn't broken, that's a good thing, and you're lucky, because mine was. There was apparently some bad doings at the factory and the glue that holds the strum register on tended to break on some of the first run models, which led to your guitar becoming virtually unusable after five hours. The tilt sensors in a number of them were also totally fried. Outside of those technical issues, it's a mixed bag. I like the weight and feel of the control a lot better than any of the other alternatives (it almost feels like a real instrument, with a proper weight distribution), and the different widgets are a lot more convenient to get to, but it seems that in fixing the problems earlier guitars had, the designers went overboard. Now it's easy to reach from the green fret button to the orange fret button with one hand, but that's because the buttons are now adjacent. They click much deeper than before and it doesn't take a lot of pressure to do that, and the result of all that is that you're going to hit a lot of buttons you don't mean to. Most of the people I know that have the game are still using the Guitar Hero 3 controller, if that's any indication of how awkward it can feel.

The drums....well, let's put it this way. Either you're a drummer or you aren't. The easiest drum parts are as hard as most normal guitar parts, and I can easily believe there are large numbers of people that just plain won't be able to do it very well and no amount of practice will help. That's bad. The drum charts that they force you to play also don't do much to help you learn how to, for example, keep one time with each hand and another with one foot. The foot pedal has to be pushed pretty deep and it gave me leg cramps after a while. The set itself is also loud as a donkey bleeding to death in a metal barn, which might be an issue for parents.

The microphone works pretty well. That's good. Alternative microphones, however (like, for instance, a 360 headset) do not. I am convinced that this is because things like screaming and loud talking are best filtered out of in-game conversation (what the headset is built for), but are necessary parts of rock music. Long story short, if you intend to play and sing, you're going to end up buying a microphone stand. I personally object to the difficulty of the vocal tracks, and the microphone (any of them) seem to do a remarkably terrible job of picking up high-to-low tone transitions. You're probably going to be a little frustrated trying to nail five stars in normal on some songs if you're not a pretty good singer, which is bad.

The multiplayer, I'm led to understand, is enjoyable, and I could definitely see that. The multiplayer campaign is wonderful. And should be the single player campaign. And isn't. And this bothers me. The development team didn't get the online cooperative elements finished by release, with the result being that you cannot play the cooperative campaign online. If you don't have friends you can bring over, or can sing well enough to play and sing at the same time, you'll never know how much fun it is. I'm an old person. My friends are married with children. I cannot bring them over to my house to play pretend guitar with me. This is unacceptable.

On the whole, I wish I could recommend this package, but I just can't do it. You're better off spending the money to get Guitar Hero 3 (inferior game, but superior value in this case) and just the game itself and playing the guitar parts. In six months, and particularly if prices come down, it might be a good idea, and the downloadable content support for the title is amazing so far (cheaper than Guitar Hero 3 and better songs besides), but for the holiday season, I have to warn undecideds to stay away.

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Labels: Xbox 360