I recap the reviews that have come out so far for Rock Band 4
Rock Band 4 | Review Thread #1
Will Rock Band 4 be a Stairway to Heaven or a Shit Sandwich? We’ll find out what critics think at 7 AM PST, when the review embargo lifts. I’ll be editing this thread with reviews as they come in.
GamesRadar – 5/5
It’s impossible to overstate how much Harmonix and Mad Catz have achieved here by securing legacy support for both existing instruments and downloadable content. This is the only Rock Band game that will be released for current gen systems, with downloadable updates keeping it fresh throughout the rest of the generation. If you have any interest in rhythm action (or indeed music), then it’s one you simply must have in your collection.
Forbes – 9
Rock Band 4 may have lost a few features (some temporarily, some permanently) in its transition to Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but the core gameplay is dramatically improved by allowing us to be more expressive, while preserving the older mechanics for those resistant to change. It’s player choice at its finest, and a welcome return to fake plastic rocking.
IGN – 8.8
The track list that comes on the Rock Band 4 disc is a little light on memorable songs, but thanks to admirable backward compatibility with a huge DLC catalog, Rock Band 4 remains every bit the magical cooperative gaming experience the series has always been. Getting a band together in the living room to rock out creates some incredible moments of musical joy. On top of that, a new career mode injects some fun personality and decision-making, while solos let you express yourself mid-song without penalty. Rock Band still fulfills its potential to make me feel like a superstar musician and, like 65-year-old Bruce Springsteen still doing killer three-hour shows , proves that it’s still got “it.”
Game Informer – 8.75
In this year’s music-game scene, Rock Band 4 offers tried-and-true polish, and an impressive opportunity for backward compatibility. Whether you’re importing a back catalog or not, the new title stands on its own with smart music selections, and skill-based gameplay refined over years of experimentation. After a few years away, I’d almost forgotten how fun the Rock Band experience can be.
Gametrailers – 8.6
PlayStation Nation – 8.5
Fans of the series should be happy with this new version. Cosmetically it’s seen few changes but under the hood many things have been tweaked and a lot of the features that fans have been asking for have been added.
Shacknews – 8
Like any band’s reunion tour, it’s easy to get caught up in nostalgia. But Rock Band 4 proves to be far more than that. It’s a return to form, putting the focus back on four-player fun without any overly-complicated mechanics. The new additions all focus on just letting loose and having a good time and even those mechanical additions aren’t forced. The DLC situation is something of a mess, but those willing to bear through it will have a sure-fire party gem on their hands.
Worthplaying – 8
In the end, Rock Band 4 offers up plenty of fun, especially if you can regularly gather a group of friends. It’s an excellent party game and an enjoyable way to pass the time solo. However, it isn’t really an upgrade from Rock Band 3. Rather, Rock Band 4 is more like a straightforward HD update for the current generation of systems.
We Got This Covered – 4/5
All in all, Rock Band 4 is a very robust and impressive music game, albeit one that could’ve been better. It’s fun, challenging and infinitely replayable, and will likely serve you well for years to come if Harmonix makes good on its platform vision. That said, its hefty price tag could hurt it.
The Jimquisition – 7.5
If you’ve never had a Rock Band game before, this is as good a time as any to jump in, but be aware that you’ll be wanting to peruse that huge store of downloadable content in order to get a setlist you’re happy with. Series veterans, however, will have no such trouble, and very little reason not to check this one out. It’s a good basis for something that has potential to get even better as the years go on.
All that said… I still can’t believe there’s no Electric Light Orchestra. For Christ’s sake Harmonix, GET IT SORTED.
Destructoid – 7
Rock Band 4 is a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, it’s not only a hassle to switch generations due to the fact that so many elements don’t work with the new one, but additionally — Rock Band 3 is still a thing, supports all of your DLC, and has more features. On the other, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this iteration, and for those of you who missed out in the past or have broken 360s or PS3s, you’ll still be able to rock out into the night with friends and have a whole lot of fun.
Gamespot – 7
