Rock Band Download Low-Down: Week 15
Each week we’ll run out onto our website stage like roadies and review the latest Rock Band Downloadable Content. Check back every week!
*NOTE: Each of the songs in this week’s selection costs 160 Microsoft Points ($2). They are also available as the Nine Inch Nails Pack 01 for 440 points.
Nine Inch Nails Pack
WHAT ROCKS: We admit we were really pumped to sit down in front of our Rock Band drum kit when we first heard about this triple-pack of Trent Reznor, and sure enough, the beat-keeping aspect of the Nine Inch Nails Pack did not disappoint. Both "The Collector" and "March of the Pigs" are turbo fast but keep you from veering off the road of insanity, while "The Perfect Drug" will attempt to steer you off of that road. It is downright insane, probably stemming from the fact that it was originally created by Reznor on a computer. Its place in the highest "Nightmare" tier of songs is justified. If you can nail it, though, you'll feel pretty damn awesome.
WHAT SUCKS: Balance is the NIN Pack's biggest failure. Unlike "Hand That Feeds," which is included on the main game disc and is great fun whether you're screaming lyrics, jamming the memorable guitar riff, cranking out the bass, or pounding out the drums, each of these Nails tunes is fun for precisely one person: the drummer. Vocals are a mishmash of fun and annoyingly repetitve (we're looking at you, "The Collector"), expert bass is ludicrously easy on "The Collector" and nearly non-existent on "The Perfect Drug," and guitar has you playing a piano solo on both "The Collector." Weird, but not really fun.
FINAL VERDICT: A must-have for drum fans...particularly those of you who relish a challenge. But everyone else will probably want to stay clear.
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sdursch
March 06, 2008 at 7:46am
it's thursday. will the week 16 DLC low-down be coming out any time soon?
Dessan
February 28, 2008 at 9:16pm
Sheesh, I don't think I've seen a more difficult drum chart anywhere. Is it just me, or don't they need to make it so you can use two drum pedals at a time when they go nuts like that?
Mr_GrE3n
February 28, 2008 at 3:43pm
Hi, I checked out the songs like I do every week, to see what i want to download when i finally do get Rock Band (Waiting for the term to be over) I heard piano on 2 of the tracks and nearly died with joy. Your reaction was that this is weird... I would think this is a step in a great direction.
Dan OXM (not verified)
February 28, 2008 at 10:28am
Like it said on the Prime Time ad, "content and pricing subject to change." Also, the drums on this really were amazing, and by amazing I mean difficult, and by difficult I mean an enjoyable challenge. Try playing a Macintosh with drumsticks!
Corey OXM
February 27, 2008 at 9:52pm
Hey Bodabo, As with game releases, DLC release schedules can change at any time, for all kinds of reasons. (That's why the Microsoft ad you're citing actually had a note saying "content & pricing subject to change"---it was a pretty small note, so wouldn't blame you if you missed it.) This situation can definitely be frustrating when you're trying to plan for purchases, but in this case, if you're a Nine Inch Nails fan, at least you're getting the content a few weeks earlier than expected. Corey
Purp1eHayes
February 27, 2008 at 9:41pm
I'm not a huge NIN fan, but bought The Downward Spiral album back in the 90's based on hearing "March of The Pigs" alone. So I was really excited for it to show up here - and really underwhelmed after having played it. The drum part is okay but really really repetitive, and all the other parts that are so awesome to listen to simply aren't fun to play at all. Perfect example of a song that's terrific to listen to, but just doesn't translate to RB well at all (are you "Stairway To Heaven" people paying attention ;)?). All the ingredients are there, but it just doesn't mesh. An okay pack, but definitely down there with Punk Pack 2 as one of the weaker packs thus far, IMO.
Bodabo420
February 27, 2008 at 6:23pm
why in the march issue of oxm does it say this pack will be realeased on March 18????
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