Rock Band 2

Rock and indeed roll

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Rock 'n' roll. Its cool, y'know? Very cool. Little surprise then that to show-off Rock Band 2, we didn't find ourselves journeying into the depths of a corporate EA booth, but rather entering the chilled out mecca that was MTV's area at this year's E3 show.

Perhaps most interesting is the new-look guitar peripheral, which Harmonix are designing to reflect a real-world axe. The neck of the of the guitar is longer, the body finished in sleek wood, just like a real Fender Stratocaster. This new controller will be Rock Band 1 compatible, and of course you can use your old controllers from the first game with RB2 should you wish to.

Microsoft also delivered major on this title via their own E3 media briefing, letting us know that Rock Band 2 will be Xbox 360 exclusive. This is quite a coup for MS, given just how very cool this game is looking, assuming the agreement will stand for longer than a few months.

Taking on-board fan feedback is one of the moves made by Harmonix with this title, the developer promising greater accessibility, and absolutely huge set lists. A new drum set is also the result of feedback, the new set boasting bigger drums, and metal-inforced pedals. Apparently, players were destroying the weak old ones.

RB2 will include over 100 new songs for people to play, 80 on the disc itself, and 20 to be released free online this autumn. Master recordings from AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica and Pearl Jam count among Harmonix's most proud additions, while competition for artist exclusivity appears to be heating up with Acti's Guitar Hero. Guns N' Rose, for example, will debut their first new release for 14 years on RB2. Cleverly, players will also be able to move their RB1 tracks into RB2 - a first, we're told.

In terms of delivering lashings of new content, MTV and EA appear to be pulling out all the stops - as such, we're promised over 500 downloadable RB tracks, to be available by the end of 2008. Of course, new selections will be important for RB, given that their new game will not include the Studio mode included in the next Guitar Hero - likewise, GH Tunes could worry the game's developers.

More good news now, as we learn that Tour Mode will be fully online compatible, allowing rockers to form "persistent online bands", according to MTV's demo-man. This was one of the most called for features in the original title, and has been added after online leaderboard-toppers Earth, Wind and Centaur were forced to split after members moved to opposite sides of the country. On the topic of leaderboards, Harmonix will keep things fresher with RB2, fostering competition between bands by updating rankings more regularly. You'll also be able to recruit band staff in order to improve your in-game success, be it groupies to promote, and more.

In addition to staff, the World Tour mode will be further bolstered via greatly expanded gig, city, challenge and venue rosters. Solo play will also be tweaked to perfection, we're assured. Battle of the Bands will now offer daily online challenges, and you'll be able to register for email alerts about your band's ranking as well. Yet another diversion to rile the boss.

Those who enjoy RB2's music, but are too tired or lazy to rock-out themselves, will appreciate the game's Jukebox mode - and the artwork that accompanies this mode is also looking rather impressive. There's lashings of customisation options, of course, and Harmonix tell us they have been working hard to further stylise the game, your characters, et al, creating a "happening vibe".

Rock Band 2 is looking great - and a range of premium third-party created controllers, including some incredible drum sets, should help foster real musical interest around the game. Having said that, Guitar Hero is upping the ante with new features this Christmas, so it will be interesting to see how the rival music games face-off at launch.

By Luke Guttridge