Rock Band 3 Keyboard Feature
One of the new features of Rock Band 3 is the introduction of the keyboard instrument game controller. The Rock Band 3 keyboard offers many different training modes and levels to help Rock Band 3 gamers grasp the various aspects of using the keyboard controller.
The genius with Rock Band 3 is how the developers have got gamers to think very differently in their approach with the keyboard. This is vastly more complex to learn than the drums or guitar, but infinitely rewarding once learning has been accomplished. Rock Band 3 keyboard gamers are introduced to a progressive series of learning tutorials, that go into intricate details of learning the keyboard. This ranges from learning simple scales right through to complicated chords and key step overs.
The Rock Band 3 keyboard tutorials also includes advanced techniques and is the closest any music video game has come to it actually feeling like playing a real instrument.
Rock Band 3 Pro Feature
Another fundamental difference between Rock Band 3 and other games in the genre is that each instrument has a pro mode. The pro feature enables an advanced way to play the instrument. When using the keyboard for example each groups of keys are labelled with a colour strip, matching the colour that’s played in the on-screen keyboard. The standard feature is the feature that most music games fans are used to. Whereby just five buttons are used (or keys in this case) which have a coloured dash above the corresponding key.
Every instrument in Rock Band 3 has a standard and pro mode, as well as each mode having the expected easy, medium, hard and expert levels. Rock Band 3 has doubled the longevity of the game with this feature alone as double the levels have been introduced. This is something that previous editions of Rock Band and other instrument games have not yet provided.
Rock Band 3 Road Challenge Feature
As well as the usual career and quick play options in the previous Rock Band games, Rock Band 3 includes the road challenge feature.
This new gaming mode enables your chosen customised band to tour across America, visiting different states. Each mode comprises of a number of songs that have to be played, giving the opportunity to unlock and win prizes.
The road challenge feature crosses over into the career mode of the games, as when reaching a certain point in the road challenge, various challenges in career mode need to be completed. One of the hardest career challenges is maintaining overdrive for a minute consecutively.
Rock Band 3 Random and Store Feature
Another nice touch to Rock Band 3 is when the set list is randomised, resulting in a surprise as which songs get played. The random feature is another bit of fun although the only criticism with this, is that it doesn’t randomise enough. The song tracks do get repeated in Rock Band 3 in this mode a little too often. This is a lot like listening to an annoying radio station that continually repeats the same track every hour on a long journey.
The Rock Band 3 music store is a feature that is huge in size, it has comprised all previous game tracks in one store, which currently boasts over 1,500 songs. The vast majority of the Rock Band 3 store’s songs are of reasonable price at 0.99p, whereas other music games stores are more than double that price per track.
All in all, besides the multitudes of features and modes of gameplay listed above, there are many achievements and prizes that can be unlocked, providing hours of fun coupled with an intuitive experience. In addition, as an added note, in pro feature for guitar a controller complete with strings is available. This is another step forward in Rock Band 3 pulling down the boundary between music games and actually playing a real instrument.
When playing a music game as vast as Rock Band 3, it will be very hard pressed for another to top this one due to the sheer size. Rock Band 3 is a hugely rewarding experience and is a great introduction and influential way to inspire people to play a real musical instrument.
Ian Cunningham - I am a freelance I.T. consultant with 15 years experience within the industry. As my career has progressed I’ve become ...
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