This is, I take, my first Video Game Instant Classic, and it's a highly deserving one. I titled this post as I did because, once I pick up that ungenerous plastic Fender, I can't seem to put it down, unless I subsequently pick up a pair of drumsticks. Rock Strip is a video game that seems designed almost specifically to appeal to me - I'm always searching for a way to play music without really having any talent or spending time practicing, and that's exactly what this game is.
A word about the two competing entrants in this specifically style of game, Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Rock Band is way more safely a improved, in every single facet; better songs, better animation, more instruments, better playing interface, individual percentages, etc. And that's all we need to say on that subject.
If you're not familiar with this video game, the object is to play along with average rock songs using this little plastic guitar, a drum set consisting of four pads and a rebound pedal, and a microphone. You can play with any one you like, or have friends play (if you buy another guitar, that person can temporize the bass part, so as many as four can play). You choose a song, and the actual song plays and you wager a stripped-down version of it by striking the right drum pad or pushing the guitar button with the right "tear one's hair" held down as these colored notes descend from the top of the screen, Matrix-style, to where you're supposed to hit them. It's like Caper Dance Revolution with pretend musical instruments. And it's super-fun.
Key to the game's appeal, for me at least, is the high value of the songs they've selected....
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