I can't think of another game that combines the utterly familiar with the intricately unique as well as The Beatles: Rock Band. The Fab Four's music transcends fame, and everyone knows it (whether from growing up with it, discovering it as classic rock in their youth or hearing it in commercials). The game play is straight forward, Rock Band/Guitar Hero rhythm game stuff, modified only enough to make it more accessible and fun for new players. The resulting product may never be repeated. With it's dedication to historical detail, its treasure trove of behind the scenes pictures and rare footage and its stunning visuals, this game celebrates The Beatles with every pixel. What other band's story offers such a journey? What other band's music has had such impact? What other band deserves such a great game?
The game's Story Mode offers a glossy, cartoonish, and utterly engaging overview of The Beatles' storied career. Divided into chronological stages representing different performance venues and recording sessions, The Beatles: Rock Band gives players all the highlights and none of the controversy. As musical history unfolds on screen in rhythm to your button presses and strum-bar clacks, it's hard to imagine someone not coming away impressed or even moved by the Beatles' evolution as both pop culture icons and rock and roll musicians. With each stage, the Beatle avatars change, from suit-wearing teen idol youngsters to bearded 60's icons. The early sections feature the band in famous performance venues like the dingy Cavern where they got their start or Shea Stadium where they played for tens of thousands. Afterwards they move into a series of Abbey Road studio sessions, and players are treated to trippy, dream-like interpretations of songs like Yellow Submarine and I Am the Walrus. Of course it all comes to an end on the roof of Apple Corps. (A video preview of the game after the jump.)
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.