gaming Guitar Hero Live or Rockband 4?

[Guest]

So, next month music games are making a comeback. After over 6 years without a release, both Rockband and Guitar Hero are making a return to next gen consoles. Gone however are the PC versions (which never really sold well despite having song maker and mod capability), but between the two there are a couple of things you should know before you jump back into being a rockstar legend. This time around, the games are clearly targeted towards different players, so you may want to take a quick peek at the differences when you think about buying:

 

Guitar Hero Live

 

• New controller, redesigned around use of only 3 fingers. Gone are the 5 colored frets, and now you will have 2 rows of 3 frets. This makes getting into the game easier, and the expert level difficulties harder. So this effectively means those of us who could not ever get past medium will have a reason to keep playing. This however is a drawback to those who played between both platforms as now you will not be using the same control set up.
• No more extra instruments. Guitar Hero is now more true to its name. Guitar Hero Live will focus only on the guitar, this may be a downer for some, but for those who lack friends to play with, it's the perfect experience.
• Over 100 songs in the base game on release. This means base content wise you are going to have more to play with without buying any DLC.
• The fluff has been trimmed, no more animated characters or venues, all songs will have music videos now, focusing solely on the music, and less on trying to fluff together a story.
• Accessibility will be high, because of the cheaper price tag from only having the guitar, and being available on several platforms (Wii U, PS4, XB1, Xbox 360, PS3 and even iOS) will make it so everyone can get the game.

Rock Band 4

 

• Traditional controller set up. Rock Band 4 isn't breaking any trends by keeping the old controllers. This means controller compatibility between games is now gone as they will use different control set ups and it means the same old play style that worked before will work again. This is better for those who want that challenge.
• Other instruments. If you like playing with friends, Rock Band 4 lets you do just that. With drums and mic, if you're into singing and slamming, Rock Band 4 may be the way to go.
• Next Gen exclusivity. Rock Band 4 is not going to be coming to last gen consoles or mobile, so this may limit some people from getting it.
• Older DLC compatibility. Probably the best part of the new game is that ALL the legacy DLCs will work on launch day. This means that Rock Band 4 will have over 1,500 songs on top of the new set list from day one. So you are certain to get plenty of time out of the game. Also if you already owned the songs on other games there is going to be a way to transfer them over.
• Smaller base game set list. Sadly if you are not a previous game owner or don't want to invest in DLC, Rock Band 4 ships with a smaller base game set list than Guitar Hero Live. And with the price of the game already fairly high due to the extra instruments, it's easy to pass on buying the hundreds of dollars worth of DLC. Rock Band 4 will be an investment, but you're going to have more options in the long run.

Which game are you more interested in? I am kind of torn... I like the new easier to use controller of Guitar Hero, but that HUUUGE set list from Rock Band 4... On top of that the base game is going to be shipping with so many good songs...

[PROJECT: Simon 3,955]

Guitar Hero Live~ xDD <3 <3      More used to it and more comfortable~  

[Megas 27,750]

Actually never played any of the Rockband games, and I loved the first few Guitar Hero games.

Coupled with the fact that I only have a Wii U, I'm probably gonna go with GH on this.

 

Hoping it's as easy to do custom songs on both of these like the past games were. That was the biggest draw on them imo

Edited September 20, 2015 by Kamina

[Guest]

Guitar Hero Live~ xDD <3 <3      More used to it and more comfortable~

Better be careful, because this new game is completely different. You now must master 6 frets instead of 5 and the frets are now on rows instead of just 1 straight line.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,705]

While I don't think I will purchase either of them, I would go with Rock Band for, all the way.

 

• It will be compatible with all RB3 DLC
• It will be compatible with all previous instruments
• Guitar Hero LIVE seems like it is just going on a huge gimmick
• Also, Activision. I really do not like Activision

Rock Band 4 overall looks to be the better product by far, from what I am seeing thus far. 

[Cimarronboy 248]

Both but I'll probably still over charge and burn out on all the energy from the songs. My biggest choice is what's first; Light 'em up (handy fight song) or Shepherd Of Fire (the later half of my mashup theme, the other half being Hail To The King)

 

 

EDIT: just watched some "live" performances of a certain band kind of mascotting ghl, definitely going RB4. Playing light 'em up on a gamestop demo is enough to send me into a "nothin can touch me so I'mma be chill dude" kind of high and that's only because I'm not as accustomed to the exchange rate as I am with the older games and controllers, and that's only a fight song. Hearing some of the darker stuff really sent my "bad stuff" warning sign off the charts. It's better to wait until I'm more attuned to the larger amount of energy from the newer stuff before I attempt owning/joining someone I hang with's band on ghl. RB4 on the other hand is more familiar so I'll acclimate to it quicker and more efficiently with less of a chance of over charging and more chance of enjoying songs without having to quit so soon. 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Cimarronboy

[Guest]

I have officially ordered the game from Best Buy simply because I get a huge discount there.

 

Also big update: Rock Band 4 will be compatible with last gen controllers (for the respective system), and Rock Band 4 is not being treated as "another sequel". Harmonix has stated they want Rock Band 4 to be a "platform" instead. Rock Band 4 is going to be serviced long after its initial sale. They intend on instead of making Rock Band 5 right away to keep making updates to Rock Band 4 and releasing new DLC including free updates along with paid updates. This is really good news to those who were on the fence due to the price point. While Rock Band will be more expensive to invest in initially, free updates and the promise that the game won't instantly be replaced by another game in 2 years makes Rock Band 4 more of an investment. With that in mind you are going to pay the $250 for the game and controller set, but you get the promise that you won't need to buy the instruments again or another Rock Band game for a while.

 

Guitar Hero Live has already proven that Guitar Hero is not a long term investment as the new game dropped support for old DLC and older controllers. So there is no certainty that when the new Guitar Hero drops, you can just bring your old controller.

[BronyDoesBronyThings 63]

I REALLY don't like the new design of the GH controller, and I've seen so much good stuff about the new rockband. Sorry, I've been loyal to Guitar Hero for a long time, but I'm goin' rockband. 

[Guest]

I REALLY don't like the new design of the GH controller, and I've seen so much good stuff about the new rockband. Sorry, I've been loyal to Guitar Hero for a long time, but I'm goin' rockband. 

 

The idea is that the new controller will make the game easier to start getting into, but harder at the later difficulties.

[Omega Centauri 317]

Neither. Rocksmith 2014

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCWt1cROo9I

[Guest]

Neither. Rocksmith 2014

 

I had the original 2013 Rocksmith, it's more of a learning tool than a game though.

[Omega Centauri 317]

I had the original 2013 Rocksmith, it's more of a learning tool than a game though.

I honestly hate it as a learning tool. If I look at the screen, I focus more on the visual cues than my own sense of rhythm and muscle memory, which messes me up a lot (that's why I suck so hard at learning from tabs). If I don't look at the screen, I don't know what to play unless if I've memorized the whole song. I also dislike the mentality that every song must be played exactly like the studio version note for note. I like it more as a playground for at least somewhat experienced players. It's also fun to play with session mode.

[Hovershy 3,814]

I've always gone with guitar hero in the past, so I'll probably go with them. 

 

Guitar hero was the original after all. 

[Trixie Heartstrings 434]

I've own Rock Band 2, Rock Band 3, and Beatles Rock Band, but I own the wii versions, so I'd have to buy new instruments regardless. That being said, I'm more excited about Rock Band 4 since I have more experience with the Rock Band series than the Guitar Hero series. I probably will buy Guitar Hero Live at some point, but I don't think I'll buy it when it comes out. I do own Guitar Hero 3 on the PS2, but I've only played it once since the guitar I bought for it didn't come with a strap, so I'll probably buy a strap for it since they're around $10 on Amazon. I'd probably get it on PS4 since there's a PS4 in the house, but no one in my family owns an Xbox One.

[Guest]

I've own Rock Band 2, Rock Band 3, and Beatles Rock Band, but I own the wii versions, so I'd have to buy new instruments regardless. That being said, I'm more excited about Rock Band 4 since I have more experience with the Rock Band series than the Guitar Hero series. I probably will buy Guitar Hero Live at some point, but I don't think I'll buy it when it comes out. I do own Guitar Hero 3 on the PS2, but I've only played it once since the guitar I bought for it didn't come with a strap, so I'll probably buy a strap for it since they're around $10 on Amazon. I'd probably get it on PS4 since there's a PS4 in the house, but no one in my family owns an Xbox One.

 

Yeah, Harmonix pretty much said that Wii U support is unlikely. They are focusing solely on the Xbox One and the PS4.

[BronyDoesBronyThings 63]

The idea is that the new controller will make the game easier to start getting into, but harder at the later difficulties.

That makes sense, but the new controller makes it seen like a completely different game. It isn't the signature GH controller. If I could use the original controller, I'd be all for it. But with a new controller, they might as well be making a completely different series.

[Guest]

That makes sense, but the new controller makes it seen like a completely different game. It isn't the signature GH controller. If I could use the original controller, I'd be all for it. But with a new controller, they might as well be making a completely different series.

Yeah the drawback is they do not get compatibility or familiarity, but I think they were willing to take that risk to set themselves apart. I think their logic is that they don't want to be seen as too "similar" to Rockband, and they want their gameplay to be unique in that their controller is completely different.

[Guest]

Rock Band 4 hits stores today! I am going to pick it up for the PS4 in a few hours!

 

Edit: Meant to edit last post! Apologies!

Edited October 6, 2015 by Guest