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Is Rock Band Suitable For My Children?
Not so long ago it was unimaginable that a video game would allow your kids and a small band of friends to become rock gods in the comfort of the living room with nothing more than a plastic drum kit and guitar and a few hours of practice. But now, thanks to Harmonix they can.
Rock Band is currently rated at number six in the world Xbox 360 games chart despite fierce competition and a price tag of more than one hundred pounds. That in itself goes some way to explain just how popular this game is (particularly in the 14-20+ age range). Similar music and rhythm video games have been around for quite some time but never before has one slipped into the mainstream quite like Rock Band.
Similar in principle to the dance-mat based games your children may have previously owned, Rock Band simply involves pressing a series of coloured buttons in the correct order in time to a pre-recorded track. Sounds simple doesn't it? Simple it may be but its simplicity only adds to the fun. Easy to learn, fun to watch as well as play and (apparently) good for hand eye co-ordination, games like this are certainly preferable to the violence-laden 'shoot-em-ups' which attract so much negative press.
Out of the box, your little rock stars will have access to 72 'core songs' many of which you may recognise. Aware of the family market the game's manufacturers have been reasonably careful to ensure swear words and inappropriate lyrics don't appear. No doubt this will come as somewhat of a relief to some parents concerned about what their children are listening to. Fear not parents, rock and roll has been domesticated for the 21st century.
There are also over 550 songs available for download. These downloads cost real money and to download them your kids will need wither a credit/debit card or pre-paid Microsoft points card (preferable for parents wishing to keep an eye on their children's spending). When you consider the sheer amount of tracks to play along to and the amount of equipment that comes with Rock Band (drum kit, guitar and microphone) the price tag makes much more sense.
Downloadable songs are available from a myriad of current artists ranging from Oasis to Fall Out Boy with everything in between. Tracks can be bought individually or in packs which collect songs by the same artist or of a similar genre. Parents who wait until the kids have gone to bed to have a sneaky play on their games consoles will be pleased to see names such as AC/DC and The Smashing Pumpkins amongst the downloadable songs.
The game's longevity is further enhanced by having difficulty levels ranging from easy (best for clumsy fathers) to expert (a daunting onslaught of coloured icons only readable by the most hardened players). Medium and hard difficulty options make sure that those whose skill level sits somewhere between total beginner and Hendrix are also well catered for.
The recently released sequel, imaginatively titled Rock Band 2, features 84 new tracks, 20 free downloads and the library of 500+ songs previously available has been further expanded and improved.
Rock Band may well be slightly expensive for a video game but if your child has a birthday coming up it's certainly worth considering. It's a game the whole family can play, the downloadable songs ensure the kids will be playing for ages and it features none of the violence or adult themes that are all too common in modern games.
About the Author Samantha is an expert Research and family breaks consultant. She is currently writing for Play and Stay and is very excited about the upcoming British summer
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