Joystiq hands-on: Rock Revolution
by Randy Nelson 
{ May 16th 2008 at 7:30PM }
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Despite the fact that it will offer support for lead and bass guitars, Rock Revolution is very much a drum-centric game. The behemoth of a drum controller has six pads and a pedal, looking like something Darth Vader would have lying around in his hyperbaric chamber.
Gallery: Rock Revolution
One look at the game in action and we were already a bit intimidated. Rather than the "approaching" notes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, everything scrolls vertically down the screen, a la Beatmania and Konami's other "Bemani" titles. There's no solid line for the kick drum either – it's a separate "note" out of seven to keep track of.
Going with the vertical note "stream" makes sense from the standpoint of not having your game look just like its two competitors, but we wouldn't help but notice how it almost negated the on-stage antics in the background, especially when two players were at it. Not that anyone will be looking at their virtual band with the maelstrom of notes pouring towards them.
Guitar gameplay was very reminiscent of Konami's GuitarFreaks, which never saw release Stateside. It uses the same vertically raining notes mechanic as the drums, and there are held notes just like in GH and RB. In fact, the game was being demo'd using GH3 wireless controllers, although Konami won't say if the final game will offer "open" support for other music games' peripherals.
The complexity of the drum kit – for those who just have to add another to their collection, what with Guitar Hero IV's also on the horizon – seems to be the most distinguishing element of Rock Revolution so far. We're dubious whether that (and the potential for some exclusive tracks) will be enough to win the game enough fans to land it a contract with your wallet.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jhongerkong @ May 16th 2008 7:37PM
If Konami really wants to sell this one, they'd better gear it towards the Guitarfreaks/Drummania people. Otherwise, its just another band game in a soon to be oversaturated market.
Tiptup300 @ May 16th 2008 10:20PM
Plus, have they heard of a UI designer?!? Looks like a super nintendo game!
Jon @ May 16th 2008 7:38PM
Konami's DrumMania had 5 pads, so it's nice to see them going for six. If it still supports Yamaha DTX's drums even better.
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 16th 2008 7:43PM
If there are 7 different notes, why are there only 5 notes being shown up on the chart?
NukeAssault @ May 16th 2008 7:56PM
Different difficulty? Dunno.
MasterInsan0 @ May 16th 2008 7:56PM
My bet is that it doesn't show the ones not being used on easier difficulties--like on easy, it wouldn't even show the bass note.
Curtis the Claw:PSN-ctclaw @ May 16th 2008 8:41PM
Makes sense, I guess I'm just to use to rock band/guitar hero.
Martez @ May 16th 2008 8:26PM
"There's no solid line for the kick drum either – it's a separate "note" out of seven to keep track of."
Biggest turn off for me.
tacoman @ May 16th 2008 8:34PM
The 'Bemani' link is broken and forwards to one of those placeholder sites.
Bellerophon @ May 16th 2008 9:08PM
Personally I'd be pretty disappointed if Konami doesn't get this right.
I mean after all, they are what I consider to be the true Bemani kings. If they can't pull this one off it really just shows how far the music-rhythm genre has come since the good 'ol DDR and Beatmania days.
Kael @ May 16th 2008 9:23PM
If they offer the complete soundtracks to Castlevania and Metal Gear, it's going to be hard to pass up.
aldo @ May 16th 2008 9:51PM
I like that it uses the GH3 controllers. No mention of the songs or any DLC though. Is this going to be on 360?
My friend and I split the cost of RB, and it stays mostly at his house, so buying this is an option.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ May 16th 2008 9:56PM
Read it a bit more carefully:
"In fact, the game was being demo'd using GH3 wireless controllers, although Konami won't say if the final game will offer "open" support for other music games' peripherals."
Kyattsuai @ May 16th 2008 10:18PM
I wouldn't be surprised if this one-upsmanship extends over to the guitars too. Only a matter of time until one of these games has 6 or 7 fret buttons for their guitar (in which case they'd all cease to be compatible).
thejokell @ May 16th 2008 11:20PM
They'd have to have some pretty compelling songs in their soundtrack to even get me to consider this game.
Nick Ritch @ May 17th 2008 12:50AM
I would buy all of these games but, I have a feeling i'm not the only one that doesn't want ten drum sets and guitars. I wish they could all agree on a standard so I dont have to spend $150+ on each game like this just to get 40 new songs.
Frojo @ May 17th 2008 1:34AM
as an avid rockband drummer i'm interested, but the bass pedal being a whole different note may cause some issues in keeping track of notes. I'll see what the buzz is like closer to release. I'm personally hoping for GHIV to pull through and use the RB drumkit, or at least the same thing maybe add another pedal and hopefully some more sturdy equipment.
Christian @ May 17th 2008 8:03AM
Not sure what stage this game is in, but if they could manage to get in out in Europe on the PS3 about the same time as Rock Band gets released for the Xbox360 they could have a good chance of displacing RockBand here due to the unfortunate xbox360 limited time exclusiveness of Rock Band here.
Benny @ May 17th 2008 12:43PM
Not to mention that Rock Band is a ridiculous rip-off over here.
sniping_dreamer @ May 18th 2008 10:32PM
Konami is trying to cash into the rock-BANDwagon.
Har har. *facepalm*
I'm not sure how compatible the drum controllers would be for the game, whether it's the GHIV or RB drums. Not enough pads. Not to mention the clutter that will come up if/when you have all three drums.