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Konami Brings the Rock
Product: Rock Revolution
Company: Konami
Date: 07/17/2008
Avaliable On:

Konami is the O.G. of rhythm games, so it was only a matter of time before the company jumped into Rock Band and Guitar Hero’s ongoing battle of the bands.

Launching later this year, Rock Revolution is Konami’s take on the music genre. Building off the company’s past experience with Guitar Freaks and DrumMania, Rock Revolution will sport both guitar and drum-based modes, as well as competitive and co-op modes. The 360 and PS3 versions will ship with a guitar controller as well as a drum kit that is slightly different than the one that comes with either Rock Band or GH: World Tour. Designed by professional drummers, the kit features six pads -- three along the top and three along the bottom – which represent both the drums and cymbals. A seventh "pad", a kick pedal, is on the ground.

The Wii version offers a different look and uses the Wii-mote and Nunchuk as input devices, offering an "air-instrument" experience. The Wii version will feature all of the same modes as the PS3 and 360 versions. A DS version will use the stylus to play drums and guitar.

Gameplay follows the same familiar pattern of other rhythm games. “Notes” scroll from the top of the screen to the bottom while you try to match them before they pass a specific marker. The trick to Rock Revolution is that you’ll have to keep track of seven notes instead of five, which should prove to be a little tricker.

Rock Revolution will feature 40 songs on the disc at launch. The entire track list hasn’t been released, but it will include songs like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister), “Dr. Feelgood” (Motley Crew), and “Sk8er Boi” (Avril Lavigne). Additional song packs will be available shortly after release. Unlike Rock Band and Guitar Hero, none of the songs will be master tracks. Rock Revolution will also feature a Jam Mode where players can record songs with up to eight tracks.

Rock Revolution will feature Career, Battle (online and offline) and Co-op Multiplayer Modes when it hits this Fall.

Starscream aka Ricky Tucker

GameVortex PSIllustrated