Rock Band
Electronic Arts
PlayStation 3
5 stars (out of 5)
Review by Hayden Meikle
You're kidding: No, not in the slightest. This is a game featuring a guitar, a set of drums and a microphone. It's the closest most of us will ever get to being a rock star. Groupies not included.
What it includes: A near-scale replica of a Fender Stratocaster guitar, a waist-high drum kit with four pads and a kick pedal, and a Singstar-style microphone.
The aim: Form a band, go on tour, play a variety of songs at a variety of venues, unlock new equipment, rock the world.
How it works: Each of the drums has a colour and the guitar features coloured fret buttons. Hit or strum in time with a rolling board of coloured notes. It's that simple.
The song sheet: No fewer than 45 licensed songs, including Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones), Enter Sandman (Metallica), Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters) and In Bloom (Nirvana), come with the game but hundreds more are available to download online.
Best bit: The sweet satisfaction to be gained from hitting 351 notes in a row and getting 100% on a song.
Worst bit: The procession of cheesy, greasy-haired "rock stars".
Verdict: A rock star I ain't but Rock Band lets me forget my musical inadequacies and pretend to be cool just for a while.
