NIDZUMI+

We’ve all been lied to, or at least that’s the impression I get when looking back on the past few years. The initially dubbed platform-esque release of the original Rock Band heralded the next step in the rhythm genre. The promise of downloadable tracks gave the sense of choice for every music lover, instead of having to be content with the songs on the disc. At least that’s what we thought, little did we know that a handful of sequels were just around the corner.

Let’s face it, Rock Band has been managed better, when compared to the lapse quality in camp Guitar Hero, but that doesn’t change the fact that Rock Band 2 could have probably have been an update. So why is it that the bizarre synergy between Lego and Rock Band feels distinctly unique and borderline acceptable.

You’ll smile when Lego characters humorously parody Rock Band’s opening cinematic

The truth is that if you’ve played a Lego video game in the past few years you know what to expect. That sentence also works if you replace Lego with Rock Band. There is no denying that as far as releases go this year, LRB is a known quantity but that won’t remove the smile on your face after watching those loveable Lego block characters humorously parody the opening cinematic of the original release. Lego Rock Band actually tells a tale of a band forming and going through the regular archetype of sex, drugs & rock ‘n’ roll, albeit without the sex or the drugs, this is a family centric release after all.

This results in a mixed tracklisting to say the least, with tracks by Elton John, Blink 182, Iggy Pop and Vampire Weekend; Lego Rock Band is packed with pop-rock classics and modern throwaway punk rock. Granted it’s full of variation but it’s also full of variation meaning that not everyone will get on board with the scattershot forty-five tracks.

It will make you realise how big the challenge is to create a music game that appeals to different age groups from different generations. I don’t envy this task that’s for sure, but instead of going with a clear direction, they floundered around and have ended up with an eclectic soundtrack. While it’s hard not to let my taste in music pepper the overall word on the game, mainly because musical tastes vary wildly, you would have a challenge in finding someone who likes every track from The All American Rejects to The Zutons.

Veterans of the Rock Band franchise, however, shouldn’t worry about the challenge the game actually presents. I immediately made the mistake of jumping straight into expert mode, thinking they would have dumbed down this child-friendly title. A couple of butchered songs later, I ashamedly made the step down to a more comfortable level. Long story short, the challenge is as good as any Rock Band enthusiast will want for, unless you’re one of those guys who live for lengthy Dragonforce finger bleeding sessions while secretly appreciating the inclusion of the devil.

A couple of butchered songs later, I ashamedly made the step down from expert mode

Following the traditional Rock Band aesthetic, while ignoring that devil worshipping vibe of Guitar Hero, Lego Rock Band’s visuals are another known quantity. Most of the game is made out of, you guessed it, Lego blocks (even the notes are blocks) with the developers making full use of this fact.

You’ll crumble buildings with the sound of rock block and fight giant octopuses within the occasional challenge stage that game throws you during the story mode. Meanwhile appearances from Lego Iggy Pop and Lego David Bowie will leave you chuckling under your breath while younger audiences ask who they are.

Lego Rock Band is a decent offering but its fluctuating mix of tracks will inevitably cause quibbles between families, the target audience for this release. If you don’t mind the short and irregular tracklisting, which you’ll have to repeat a few times in the story mode, then Lego Rock Band is an enjoyable spin-off with enough charming and unique qualities to make it scrape just above the line of unnecessary rhythm releases.