AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack Review

AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack

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Publisher: MTV Games

Developer: Harmonic Vision

Category: Music

Release Dates

N Amer - 11/02/2008

Official Game Website

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AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack Review

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I have already commented on how much we love our Rock Band setup. With six of us in the house, we have the whole thing down to a science. Almost all of us can sing, three of us can drum, everyone can play bass and three of us can play guitar. Having six people allows us to rotate out for breaks, answer the phone, go to the bathroom, fetch yourself a drink or whatever. We tore through the first two games and regularly fire the game up to keep the band together. Problem is, when you have a bonus disk full of songs come out from only one band, not all members of the band want to play.

You probably know at least one AC/DC fan, and chances are they someone fairly near to you, a family member, close friend, paperboy, neighbor. Whoever it is then this is the game for them, AC/DC has been around a long time and they do have a large fan base, but for the most part, you either love them or hate them. Sure there is a couple of timeless songs that transcend fans, but if you aren't into AC/DC that much then chances are you aren't going to wanna rock out too much.

The game is just a disc with 18 songs, in fact, there is only 17 new ones to the RB franchise - "Let there be Rock" was on the last full game disc. The track disc is really just that. You have all songs unlocked if you play the quick play and just hop in, but if you play the tour mode, you start at the top and each successful song played unlocks the next one down. I like most of the songs, but my nephew loved them all. He is a hardcore AC/DC fan as evident by his AC/DC shirt and hat that walk around by themselves from so much wear.

Graphically, the game is just like the other two, only there isn't the capability of using your own characters created from the previous games. Digital versions of AC/DC band members are not featured in the game, and that's Ok - the goofy characters from other versions hop around and make good on the background visuals. I don't know about you, but I can't see anything other than the notes coming down the neck of the guitar, so there could be chickens smoothered in jello flying around in the background and I would not know.

Something I thought was pretty cool, the songs are AC/DC live covers and they are good. The band, playing in who knows which one of the gajillion concerts they have put on over the years, sound incredibly tight. I was initially put off that the songs were live, since in my experience, most live discs pretty much stink. AC/DC on the other hand sound very good and playing with one another for so long probably has a lot to do with it. I mean, it says live on the game cover, and I was really sweating it, I'm glad I was wrong.

Just like all the other Rock Band games, the three instruments are displayed on the bottom while the song lyrics scroll across the top. Gameplay is virtually identical, the difficulty remains the same and thanks to the bands reputation for good guitar riffs, the guitarist will be the one most benefiting from some of the game's most challenging portions. Expert players who have mastered the other two games will tell you the game is too easy.

I can't say too much more about the game, its Rock Band with only one specific band. My personal favorites were "TnT," "Thunderstruck" and "Shook Me All Night Long", there were a couple songs I didn't relish playing but for the money and if you are a fan, then you are probably golden.

Review Scoring Details for Rock Band: AC/DC Live Track Pack

Gameplay: 8.2

You have played the other games, then you know what to expect, problem is, the drums and bass lines aren't what the band is known for, it's Angus Young's driving guitar riffs.

Graphics: 7.5

It stinks you can't import you own band over and you are forced to play as default characters.

Sound: 8.4

I like most of the songs, but there are a couple that I just don't care for. AC/DC knows how to play a live show though.

Difficulty: Medium

Any veteran of the Rock Band games will have fun, but not be really challenged.

Concept: 8.0

It's not a bad idea, you know, taking really popular bands and dedicating an entire disc to them, I look forward to other big time rock bands getting their treatment as well. Honestly, wouldn't you buy a Metallica disc, or Guns n Roses disc? Let's get 'em going, people!

Multiplayer: 7.3

Again, because the drums and bass are left to be background filler, it doesn't have the same "grab ya" kind of a feel to it. Still, it's fun.

Overall: 8.0

Pretty good effort for a group of rockers who probably have forgotten more about touring and writing music then I will ever know. AC/DC is a good filler disc as long as you are a fan.