Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Steve Thomas The Beatles Rock Band puts gamers in the band's shoes at Abbey Road.

It's hard to imagine anyone picking up a game called The Beatles Rock Band and wondering what they're getting themselves into.

By now anyone with a heartbeat is familiar with Rock Band or similar music games, so dwelling on how much fun it is to hang out with friends and pretend to make music would be pointless.

Instead, the game focuses on how much fun it is to hang out with friends and pretend to make Beatles music.

From the minute you turn it on, the game clearly divides players into two categories - those who are losing their minds in excitement, getting chills and likely failing because they're too busy ogling at the backgrounds to hit notes, and those who are very lost and confused.

If you're a Beatles fan (i.e. in category one), then we're not here to waste time: Go buy the game, plain and simple. It pays incredible homage to the band and comes loaded with 45 original recordings, as well as unlockable photos and rare videos of the band behind-the-scenes.

If you own more than two Beatles albums and know that John Lennon "is the walrus" (goo goo g'joob), welcome to category one. With this game, I assure you: you won't be disappointed.

Those unfamiliar with the Beatles (i.e. in category two) should know hope is not lost, but some parts of the game will be lost on you.

Unlike other Rock Band titles that focus on character creation and customizability, you play as rendered versions of the Beatles from start to finish. The customization is noticeably absent for fans and non-fans alike, as it provides hours of enjoyment and a sense of attachment to the characters in the traditional Rock Band games.

The trade-off is that you're the Beatles, which doesn't mean much to non-fans.

Still, all four are remarkably recognizable through each and every transformation in their career. The bottom line: John looks shockingly like John, Paul looks just like Paul and so on.

There's a huge emphasis placed on presentation, visuals, venues and background animations to make up for the lack of character creation.

Each song takes the players (and spectators) on an adventure through Beatles lore, from the Cavern Club in Liverpool to Shea Stadium in New York.

Continued...

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