Thoughts on Rock Band and the ridiculously-hard song Vasoline

So I bought Rock Band for the PlayStation 2.  The game intrigued me as a concept, a mulitplayer music game complete with instruments, but not owning a PS3, XBOX360 or Wii made the decision whether or not to buy it pretty easy: there was no way I would spend $170 on the game and instruments AND buy a $250-$400 game system when I’m really more of a PC gamer anyway.

But then I saw the PS2 price drop to $99.  Whoa.  I didn’t even know they made it for PS2.  Problem is, I don’t own a PS2 either.  But my brother-in-law does!  Since he never uses it anymore, he agreed to let me borrow it indefinitely.  So yeah, it’s a little weird to buy a game and equipment for a system you don’t own.  But there was something about learning to play the drums that drew me to this game.

Oh yeah, did you know that if you can play the drums in this game on the ”Expert” difficulty level you can pretty much play a real drum set?!  My own personal drum instructor.  Too cool.

So I’ve been playing for about 2 weeks now, 1st week drums, 2nd week guitar.  I can definitely say that I have enough inate skill that the difficulty setting “Easy” is in fact easy for me.  “Medium” is a challenge, which is good.  So much of a challenge, actually, that I realized the only way to unlock all of the 58 songs in the game is to play the Guitar Solo Career on “Medium” or better, because the guitar is easier to do that than the drums.  For now anyway.

“Medium” is very fun on guitar, I feel like I’m playing more of what I hear.  I was doing very well, getting up to Level 7 (out of 9), rockin’ out to REM’s “Orange Crush,” KISS’s “Detroit Rock City,” Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Dani California,” and The Police’s “Next to You.”  Then, all of a sudden, BAM!  Stopped dead in my tracks by Stone Temple Pilot’s “Vasoline.”  This song is absolutely ridiculous.  I USED to like this song when I heard it on the radio, now I’m beginning to hate it thanks to Rock Band.  I have NO idea why they put this song on level 7.  The ramp up to difficulty with each new level was slow and steady up until that point.  It’s almost like I was thrown into the ”Expert” level without my knowledge.  To make it worse, I unlocked The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” on Drums, “Easy” level 7, which is a level 8 guitar song (different instruments have different difficulty levels).  JUST TO SEE HOW HARD THAT WOULD BE, I did a Quick-Play of it on guitar, level “Medium.”  And guess what? IT WAS EASY!!  So how the heck does that song come after Vasoline??

Harmonix, creator of Rock Band, if you ever read this, I think you made a big mistake there.  Now I have no idea how long it’s going to take me to unlock the last 17 songs of this game, because the drumming will take me a while. 

Of course, I could always sing my way through Solo career on “Medium.”  Yikes, sorry honey, maybe I’ll have to subject you to my singing.  Sorry in advance.

Rock Band is a very fun game to play with friends and family, especially since easy songs on “Easy” allow just about anyone to try an instrument.  It was definitely worth the $100 because it will provide many years of enjoyment. 

Of course, now there’s Rock Band 2 coming later this year.  Thankfully my instruments will be compatible and I’ll just have to buy the game.  Oh come on, you KNOW I’m going to buy it eventually!