Rock Band 2 retains the hard-rocking gameplay that made last year's Rock Band such a hit and turns up the features for a stellar encore.

Gameplay is mostly the same as you sing, strum or drum your way through a variety of songs, either by yourself or with friends through local or online play. Each player follows rhythmic beats on the screen and hits notes as they match up with their corresponding colors. You can also use Star Power to briefly double your score. There are different ways of activating this, such as nailing a custom drum solo, lifting your guitar or singing into the mike during a vocal break.

Just because the game is similar to its prequel, however, doesn't mean there's nothing new. The disc contains 84 songs, with a code to download 20 additional songs early next month. If you're an oldie rocker, you'll swoon over AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock" and Steve Miller Band's "Rock'n Me." If you prefer something more contemporary, Modest Mouse's "Float On" and Linkin Park's "One Step Closer" should please you. For good measure, there's even a new song from Guns n' Roses called "Shackler's Revenge." Yes, THAT Guns n' Roses.

On top of the already powerhouse set list and the downloadable songs (including new ones from Nirvana), Rock Band 2 allows you to export most of your songs from the original game for a mere $5. There are a couple of notable exceptions, such as Iron Maiden's "Run To the Hills" and Metallica's "Enter Sandman.." The game also automatically reads any downloadable tracks you have on your hard drive and adds those to your set list. That gives you at least 300 songs to play at the start, with at least 200 due by Christmas.

World Tour mode returns with a few improvements, such as switching instruments between songs. Don't feel like doing the drums today? Grab a guitar and strum to your heart's content. Others can also play with you, either locally or through the PlayStation Network. Better still, if you have an empty spot, you're able to fill it with one of your customized characters. As you proceed, you'll pick up vital tools of the trade for any band, such as a van, loyal workers (including your mom) and most importantly, fans. The more fans you have, the more popular you are, plain and simple.

Battle of the Bands is a wonderful addition that pits you against other global players. Simply log your score and watch people come at you with challenges. You can stick with local players on your friends list or send open challenges while tackling new ones thrown your way. The Tour Challenges are also outstanding, with customized set lists you must complete to unlock new venues, songs and other goodies; these are superb lists, as they follow themes and integrate your downloadable content. On top of these two, other modes from the original game, including Tug of War and Band Quickplay are still available.

World Tour mode is excellent, but it's always better to jam with friends. Click to see more images from the game...

Most importantly, Harmonix added a new "No Fail" mode, so you no longer have to suffer the agony of defeat or the loss of a band member. Simply jam through your songs without a care in the world, and you'll make it all the way through to the end, no matter how badly you perform. This is great not only for kids and inexperienced players, but people who somehow get too drunk to play (so we've heard).

In addition, if you struggle playing drums, a new Drum Trainer mode is available. This teaches you the basics and lets you play around with songs from your hard drive. It's a shame we can't import these songs into the game itself, but that would probably take hours.

The instruments are an improvement over the originals. Rock Band 2's guitar and drum set are both wireless, so you don't have to worry about tripping over cords or plugging everything into a USB converter. The guitar has a couple of enhancements, including a looser strum bar and a nice wood finish, although the whammy bar still sticks out too far. The drums, however, are the most improved, with softer pads that result in less noise and a reinforced steel foot pedal for less wear. If you can't afford the new instruments, however, the game works with the originals.

Visually, Rock Band 2 doesn't look that different from its prequel, but it's still quite attractive. Characters jump around the stage, while the instrument interface and song lyrics are easy to read. Venues are outstanding, ranging from slum-level nightclubs to bigger rock gigs. The character customization tool is interesting, letting you choose wardrobe, hairstyle, piercings and more. If you're up for it, you can also design your own tattoos and facial paint.

You'd be crazy to turn away from a party like Rock Band 2. The fun gameplay, improved peripherals, additional modes and incredibly cool song list (with fresh additions each week, including full albums) will keep you rocking for months. AC/DC sums it up best – "Let there be Rock!"

Related Links

Rock Band 2 Game Guide

Electronic Arts