The biggest band ever

The Beatles: Rock Band is Harmonix' second game focussed on a single band. Unlike the previous game of this kind, based on AC/DC's music, The Beatles game will be much more than simply another track-pack for your main Rock Band experience. The surviving members of the band, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have been heavily involved in the game's production and George Harrison's son Dhani was the driving force behind the project's initial development.

In this latest addition to the Rock Band franchise it is now possible to play with up to 6 players instead of the normal 4 from previous titles. This is down to "vocal harmonising," a major new feature which allows up to 3 singers to perform The Beatles' famous harmonies. "Overdrive" has been renamed "Beatlemania," though the score and band saving effects remain the same. However, it is now activated differently on drums, requiring you to play a glowing note sequence perfectly to activate the power up as well as accumulate it, instead of performing a freestyle fill-in, a la previous titles. Guitar whammy will also operate differently, as it will no longer have an effect on the sound of the note being played, but will still give extra points.

"And Your Bird Can Sing"

Changes in the familiar design don't stop there. The "Tour" format from previous Rock Band games has been changed significantly and rebranded as a "Story" mode. This time around you'll play through the entire history of The Beatles, playing in the same venues that the band frequented in real life and playing through famous Beatles performances. There will also be some optional challenges, though they are now integrated into the game while you play (instead of being a separate mode as in RB2). These will allow you to unlock classic Beatles art, thus providing even more historical context for the music you're playing along too.

Co-op band play is as you'd expect at this point and the competitive modes from Rock Band 2 have also carried over here. Drum Trainer has been re-dubbed "Beatles Beats" and a tutorial has been added for the new harmonising mechanics. "No fail" mode puts in another appearance but thankfully is much more accessible as it can be set from the difficulty select screen before a performance, rather than in the front-end options. What's more, it is switched on automatically for anyone playing on the "easy" setting. It's an absolute god-send for those hardcore players who can become frustrated when playing with friends who haven't tried the game before.

Of course, it wouldn't be a new music game without some shiny new plastic instruments to toy you into parting with your hard-earned cash. The full limited edition instrument bundle will set you back $250 and includes 2 guitars, one modelled on the Rickenbacker 325 and one the Gretsch Duo Jet. You also get McCartney's signature Höfner bass and some Ludwig branded Rock Band drums which include a Beatles styled bass drum skin. They are comfortably the best set of videogame instruments yet seen, but if you already own the full set of Rock Band/Guitar Hero gear that will work just fine and $250 is certainly a steep investment.