'Bioshock 2' dated

Remember when back when Bioshock was getting all those "Game Of The Year" accolades? Seems like yesterday. So will its sequel be a worthy follow-up?

Find out on Feb. 2, 2010, when Bioshock 2 is released worldwide for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Here's a look at the game's multiplayer gameplay trailer from this year's PAX.

Review: 'The Beatles Rock Band'

Leading up to the release of The Beatles Rock Band, Dhani Harrison, one of the game's designers and son of George Harrison, talked about how the experience of the game led some testers to tears. The game was a tribute so touching, that even veterans of the music industry began to tear up. Me, the cynic, didn't buy it. I love The Beatles, but come on. It's a video game. It can't be that emotional.

And then I played it.



OK, let's get the technicals out of the way, first. There's nothing innovative as far as the basic instruments go. If you've ever played Rock Band or Guitar Hero, you'll know what to do. The harmonies are certainly a nice addition, especially if you're like me and switch between singing Paul's part and John's part in the middle of the song. Also, if you've got some friends who can really harmonize, you're set.

The game takes you through the career of The Beatles, from the Cavern Club to the Ed Sullivan Theatre to the studio and, finally, to the roof. Unlike previous Rock Band games, there's no flexibility in the game's animated sequences. There's no room for a guy with a mohawk and mustache wearing flannel to sing "Yellow Submarine." That's Ringo's job.

Every song, likeness, and animated sequence is treated with guarded reverence. As a matter of fact, the game is so peaceful and smiley that it's hard to imagine John Lennon ever frowning or any of the four of them ever having an unpleasant moment.

But aside from mild deification, the game's bias leans toward a message that The Beatles were always in favor of: love. The game isn't, "You, the rock star, sky rocket to success." This is a game where you study the various eras of The Beatles. Meanwhile, the entire experience is blanketed by love.

There are enough extras to give any Beatles fanatic an excuse to buy the game, and the achievements really push you to get the most out of the game. And, of course, there's the promise of fully downloadable albums in the future, with Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper's, and Rubber Soul already announced, so the replay value is excellent.

I mentioned that I, too, found this game emotional. It's hard to describe, really, but all throughout "Dear Prudence," a smile was inexplicably plastered on my face. As the song ended, I sighed a breath of wistfulness, as though I was there when The Beatles broke up.



It's a beautifully designed game and a wonderful experience. I'm already itching for DLC. Hopefully, they'll let us have a turn at some of those solo albums (I'm looking at you, Ram).

Shirtless Iggy Pop present in 'Lego Rock Band'

There's a certain amount of rock 'n' roll sacrilege that occurs when making games like Rock Band or Guitar Hero. In earlier games, there are terrible covers of Rush songs. More wrong, perhaps, are the use of a deceased rock star's likeness in a game, as Guitar Hero has done with Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and Kurt Cobain (of course, one could make the exact same arguments for Rock Band in the case of George Harrison and John Lennon despite the involvement of The Beatles and their families in the game's development).

However, one of the most delightful and heartwarming examples of rock stars in video games was brought to light today for the upcoming game, Lego Rock Band. Making his video game (and Lego) debut is Iggy Pop. According to Jeux Video, he'll be in the game singing his song "The Passenger." And boy, does he look good.


I know it's silly, but I can't wait for this game. In other Rock Band news, expect a review of Beatles Rock Band soon.

'The Beatles: Rock Band' eve!

Hey there readers (who I have neglected severely). Do you know what this day is? It's the ever elusive 9/8/09, which means we're mere hours away from the release of 'The Beatles: Rock Band.'



So here's my question for you, dear reader. Are you for or against the virtual Beatles?

I'll be picking it up soon, so expect a review at some point this month.