It seems that rhythm games have been taking over the computer and video games market over the past year or two with the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band performing well, and now Konami have attempted to cash in on the music games genre with Rock Revolution.

I would like to begin by stating just how predictable a move this is, and to be honest I would go as far to say that attempting to tempt part of the Guitar Hero or Rock Band fan base away was a doomed plan from the very start. You would expect an establishment as famed as Konami to have realised this, and they have been left to look a little bit foolish after the release of Rock Revolution.

I have not yet begun talking about the game itself, but you can probably already tell from what I have mentioned above that it is nothing to get excited about. The ‘plot’ if you like is quite simple, and very familiar nowadays. You are a rock star, a rock band, or whatever you want to call yourself and… well, that is all really. Whereas Rock Band 2 and the latest Guitar Hero title offer you a vast variety of game modes and variety to each of them, Rock Revolution fails to do so. Instead you are given a concrete list of songs to play which you can not alter at all, you play them, and then you are finished.

You play the tracks you are given on electric guitar, bass or drums - none of which give you a particularly thrilling experience in Rock Revolution and the controls along with the on-screen display of upcoming notes leave everything feeling so wrong and unconsidered. It is quite plain to see that Konami assumed that gamers would rush out and buy just any old crap right now if it happened to be a rhythm music game which in my own opinion gamers, you should take as a personal insult.

Rock Revolution is rushed. Even the good points, of which there are very few, can be turned on their head to reflect badly on the title because of the success of the competing Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles. One such feature worth noting is the number of songs and the calibre of the artists featured in Rock Revolution. Altogether you are able to play around 30 tracks from artists such as Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Twisted Sister and Metallica though most of these tracks are covers. Usually 30 tracks would be considered a good line up, but when you take into account that Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour both offer you around 80 tracks from equally hot artists with most tracks being masters, Rock Revolution is simply left lagging way behind once again.

Rock Revolution can be purchased on it’s own or bundles with some music peripherals much like similar titles, but believe it or not even the peripherals are substandard and make the game even more of a chore to play than it already is. Other peripherals that are compatible with Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles that you may already own are likely to be compatible with Rock Revolution though so that is one problem that you can find a way around.

Rock Revolution is a resounding disappointment in pretty much every department as a standalone game and even more so when compared to similar titles currently available on the shelves at your local game store. It has clearly been rushed for quick release with Konami hoping to make some quick cash, as you can see a lack of attention to detail throughout the game.

Millions of gamers love rhythm music games, but very few will enjoy Rock Revolution. This is definitely one to steer clear of as in terms of value for money, Rock Revolution is one of the worst titles for quite some time.

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