We at Lazygamer loved the hell out of the first Rocksmith from Ubisoft. though the era of faux plastic instruments is long dead, Rocksmith was different; it allowed you to jack an actual guitar in to your console and actually learn how to play the thing. And even its sequel is different; instead of just more songs, it actually has more features to make your learning experience better. Session mode is one of those features.
Session mode will allow you to have your own AI band that’ll reactively play along with you, dynamically – so it’s not like some static bit of backing tracks. .you’ll be able to customise your virtual band with over 70 different Session Mode instruments.
It also comes with a mission mode, that’ll allow you to increase your shredding prowess at a comfortable rate. If you’re already a rock god, you can “jump right in and play along the entire guitar neck by zooming out.”
Session Mode is also available in multiplayer mode, so two players – one on guitar and the other on bass – can jam together with a host of digital musicians. Rocksmith 2014 is coming to Mac, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on October 25 in the UK, and November 29 locally; and if you actually want to learn how to play guitar, this is one of the easiest, and most fun ways to do just that,
Last Updated: October 11, 2013
|
|
|
|---|---|
| was reviewed on PC | |
RapturedMossel
October 11, 2013 at 08:41
I dunno man. This sounds cool and all, but nothing will ever beat playing with an actual (analog) amp. I bought that iPad guitar input where you can plug your guitar into your iPad and “record” songs on GarageBand, but it just feels empty.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:48
I agree. I wonder how it will react to my 7 string
RapturedMossel
October 11, 2013 at 08:53
I suppose it will have a setting where you can say how many strings you have (6,7,12). What 7 string do you have? That Ibanez one?
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:55
Hope so, I’m considering trying this.
Ibanez RGA. Found the normal RG’s pickups to be a bit dull. But it’s not my favourite guitar in my collection.
RapturedMossel
October 11, 2013 at 09:00
Schweet! I always wanted a 7 string, just never got around to buying one! Dammit, you just inspired me to buy a new guitar! My wallet will not like this.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:02
I sit with a space issue at the moment. I have a serious problem when it comes to buying guitars. I should probably see someone about it….
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 09:02
It will work BUT it will not recognize the low b-string because what the software does is “listen” for the frequencies that are put out by the guitar strings; so yeah you can use a 7-string, but you won’t play the low b-string for the game. If you’re a wizard though, the game picks up notes and frequencies, so you could make it work with the string if you know what you’;re doing.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:05
I see. It’s worth a try then, but playing only 5th fret and up may defy the point of using it though. Will just rather use a normal 6 string then.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 09:09
Yeah. 7 string players are an advanced subset, and though Rocksmith does include features for advanced players, it really is intended for those who’re learning – so it’s probably not REALLY worth Ubi’s time and money to include 7 string features.maybe if enough requests are made to them though, that’ll change.
Also…take a look at the track list.for the game It’s pretty rad. http://rocksmith.ubi.com/rocksmith/en-us/music/index.aspx
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:10
So the 2014 includes all the original songs plus the 50 new ones? Some fantastic tracks there.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 09:18
The original ones only come throgh if you own the game i believe; they import.
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:26
That’s a pity, but thanks. Still, the new tracks are fantastic on their own.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:11
Looks like some good fun though. With that track list it’s worth buying just for the fun of the play-along.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:52
It has a TON of amp presets..and i found it to actually sounds pretty rad. Yeah, nothing will beat a real amp, but it sounds pretty decent.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:53
I’ve seen some impressive amp modulators out there, and some of them sound pretty decent, but there’s just that something special about a real amp…
RapturedMossel
October 11, 2013 at 08:55
Agreed!
RapturedMossel
October 11, 2013 at 08:55
Yeah dont get me wrong, I will probably spend hours on this. It literally combines my two passions: gaming and music.
SideTraKd
October 20, 2013 at 07:48
You can always split the signal with a pedal on bypass… one to the PC or whatever console, and then the other to your amp setup. Then you can turn the guitar sound off in the game.
I’ve heard a lot of people do that, but I’ve never had an issue with the software amps and pedals that come with Rocksmith.
RapturedMossel
October 21, 2013 at 07:06
Really? Thats quite sick! Might even give this a go now. Always fun to play along some drums and other guitars!
SideTraKd
October 21, 2013 at 07:24
If I were you, I would give the amp modelling a chance, first. In the original Rocksmith, the official tones for each song are quite well done. Surprisingly so, actually. Also, the new version (2014) incorporates automatic tone switching. Given that the songs have a large variety of patches (one to three patches for each song), it might be more aggravating (or at least more time consuming) to try to find the correct tones on your own equipment.
Lag is a non-issue when you have a correct setup.
Oh… If you do that… Be sure to set the guitar volume in game, so that it blends better with the music. I’m not sure about the new game, but in the original Rocksmith, the guitar starts out loud enough to overwhelm the music… at least for me.
I’m currently running it on a i7 960 with 16GB of ram and using an nVidia GTX580 for both video and sound. One HDMI running to my monitor, and another one running straight to my surround sound receiver. The overall sound quality is higher than most people might think, and it blends so well that you can’t even tell I am playing along with the song unless I mess up.
Good luck to you. I hope you enjoy the game. I know I have! I have played more guitar over the past year than I have over the previous five years combined, thanks to Rocksmith… =)
MosselMayCry
October 21, 2013 at 07:53
I really need to get this! Im neglecting my guitar so much these days. Only my acoustic gets the occasional fingering. This will work out fantastic, I will literally combine my two favourite pastimes. Gaming and music!
My only concern is I dont have proper surround sound. But I do have Roccat Kave 5.1 gaming headset, that might do the trick.
Thank you for the insight!
SideTraKd
October 21, 2013 at 07:58
Sure, anytime.
I had problems with my hands a while back and had almost completely given up on playing, until Rocksmith came along. Now I play anywhere from 20 to 30 hours a week.
Oh, but one thing… If you are on PC with a USB headset, just know that most USB headsets don’t work very will with the original Rocksmith. I don’t know about the new game, though.
Brett Gunter
October 11, 2013 at 08:43
Please help me with this, I see the above article states that it is to be released on October 25, and the rest of the world seems to match this. However, the SA websites that I have checked (e.g. Kalahari, Loot, etc) state that launch will be November 29? Please can you help verify what date it is to be released, as I am itching for this!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:50
Checking with Ubi now!
Brett Gunter
October 11, 2013 at 08:51
Thank you!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:58
Yep. November 29, I’m afraid. Adjusting.
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 08:58
Oh damn. Sad face.
Brett Gunter
October 11, 2013 at 09:00
Thank you for confirming this, I will sadly have to wait. It will atleast make a for a good birthday 🙂
NecroRince
October 11, 2013 at 09:10
You can practice Jungle Bells for a month, and blast the family away?
Brett Gunter
October 11, 2013 at 09:55
I think the Mrs would destroy my guitars before the month is up.
NecroRince
October 11, 2013 at 10:02
She wouldn’t DARE! 0-O
SkepticZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:22
I think it releases on Steam on 22 Oct.
But: unless you’ve got the previous version you’ll have to wait for the physical copy to get the USB cable.
Brett Gunter
October 11, 2013 at 10:00
Sadly I’ve held out on buying the first since hearing about this one, as it should be backwards compatible with the previous versions dlc from what I’ve read? Now I’ve got the problem that they’re all pretty much gone.
SideTraKd
October 20, 2013 at 07:59
You can still order copies of the original online. All previous DLC will be available for 2014 at no extra cost for transferring it, but they just came out with a press release that said the songs on the original disc will require a “nominal” fee to transfer into 2014. I can’t seem to find out what the fee will be, but with the 55 new songs coming with 2014 and the fact that I already own all of the DLC from the previous version, I am going to be busy for a while, anyway! lol
I HIGHLY recommend this game to anyone who likes playing guitar, or wants to learn. I have spent more hours playing guitar in the last year than all of the previous five years combined, thanks to Rocksmith.
TiMsTeR1033
October 11, 2013 at 08:43
How does it all work though? I wanna get this and real guitar (old one is shit!)
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:50
It comes with a cable that allows you to plug your electric guitar in to your console. It works like magic.
TiMsTeR1033
October 11, 2013 at 08:51
Hmmm, Does it actually teach you to play? Original still available?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:52
Yes, and it does a decent job of it. the original is tricky to find locally, to be honest.
TiMsTeR1033
October 11, 2013 at 08:53
I am seriously gonna try find this. thanks man!
Skoobaz
October 11, 2013 at 11:22
Tim, I’m scouring for the 1st edition. Let me know if you find anything please!
JTrip
October 11, 2013 at 14:24
Look on Amazon.com for the original. It is about half price on there. Also, if you buy the original Rocksmith and plan on buying Rocksmith 2014, which I recommend, make sure you buy the Rocksmith 2014 edition without the real tone cable. It will be cheaper and you don’t need 2 cables anyway unless you are going to play with a friend. Also, Ubisoft has said that the songs from the original Rocksmith disc will transfer over to the new version.
SkepticZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:30
I thought it worked okay.
The interface was one of the most horrible aberrations ever devised. Once you actually got to play a song it was pretty good. I found it very forgiving in terms of “accuracy”. Some of the teaching modes could have used another round or two of polish. In general, the final product felt very rushed.
I have high hopes for the 2014 version! I’ll definitely get it via Steam come October 22nd.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:48
This makes guiter hero look like a baby. I like that.
A lot.
TiMsTeR1033
October 11, 2013 at 08:49
How does it pick up guitar? normal jack?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 08:50
Yeah, normal jack to usb.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:52
Ah, I see. I’m still a bit unsure about these programmes though. But I suppose I have to try before I judge.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
October 11, 2013 at 14:16
I thought the Real Tone Cable was specifically designed for this. I did some googling and found different “hacks” to make it work without one, but it seems too much effort 😛
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 08:57
Must buy. It’ll go nicely with my Cort.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 08:59
Those are nice guitars.
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:01
Yes they are. The play action on this is fantastic. So much nicer than either of my other guitars. I still need a new amp for this puppy – my current one doesn’t do it justice.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:06
I feel you. Need a better amp myself. Been considering getting a cort, but I’m already playing little enough with each of my other guitars as it is, preferences and all.
ToshZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:08
Yeah I took a long hiatus a few years back. Buying more guitars back then would’ve been silly. I must be honest though, the Cort is amazing – it just feels right, if you know what I mean? Best buy ever.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:09
The temptation is too big!! Want a red one! Dammit no. I shouldn’t.
Gerhard Davids
October 11, 2013 at 09:26
Nice!
I too own a Cort. Pearlescent ivory.
Still not sure if Rocksmith is worth it though.
NecroRince
October 11, 2013 at 09:07
Is the input out put speed near perfect? Just wonder at lag and what not. Would love to plug my Fender in an jam like the Rock God I am. I think Guitar Hero Metallica ruined my abilities. Damn it.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 09:09
If you run it straight from your console to an AMP, and not throguh your TV..the lag doesnt really exist.
NecroRince
October 11, 2013 at 09:16
Assuming the game will be around R600 mark? I really am quite keen to get this. Need flex the ol fingers again and bash out Metallica’s One, used to play it note per note perfect, now I sound like I’m killing geese…
SkepticZA
October 11, 2013 at 09:25
On the console version there were lots of lag problems with the previous iteration.
PC version was much better.
TiMsTeR1033
October 11, 2013 at 09:47
I want guitar hero!!
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 10:03
No. Just no.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 09:16
One more question Geof. Bass support? Four and five strings?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 11, 2013 at 09:46
Haven;t used the bass stuff, but i believe it has support for 4 and 5 string.
Downloadable content John
October 11, 2013 at 10:03
Okay, cool cool. Have a friend who’s just starting out, he’d love this.
SideTraKd
October 20, 2013 at 07:53
Four strings is all that is really supported. You can use a five string, but there isn’t any content for it.
John's digital rights
October 21, 2013 at 09:43
Thanks. That helps
SideTraKd
October 21, 2013 at 23:56
Sure… No problem.
I hope you get it. If it wasn’t for Rocksmith, I would probably have stopped playing music altogether, after nearly 30 years of being a musician. It really does make that much difference.
Warren Ross
October 11, 2013 at 09:16
Still not convinced that this is really a great tool to truly learn the instrument (particularly with the original’s auto-adjusting difficulty…) but it should be fun just to expand some repertoire. I might pick this one up.
Stephen Stempo
October 11, 2013 at 16:19
I believe they’ve fixed that. The game still auto adjusts but now you can stop whenever you want and change it manually. There’s a ton of sliders. You can also rewind a track your playing to practice a part all from the pause menu I believe you can even slow the track down once rewound to work out the fingering for tricky parts. Really they seem to be focussing on making this years far more accessible and malleable a tool. Giving the player control fully instead of dragging the player along.
Devourer of Small Bunnies
October 11, 2013 at 09:32
Seconded. Just got the real tone cable from a buddy last night and I must say Rockmisth impressed the socks off of me. Dont get me wrong the menu system is an abortion, and the problem with that is that if you arent playing you’ll be in the menu system, so it hurts to progress through when it takes about 15 options before you can actually play the next song.
I am dead excited for the new one, as they have done a lot of tweaks to the UI
If anyone is keen on learning guitar in a very fun and engaging way, I’d get this as soon as its released!
ElimiNathan
October 11, 2013 at 11:13
Meh, the first one wasn’t great to play. I’ll stick to my Boss GT100 pedal and guitar pro for tabs
Paul Fouche
October 11, 2013 at 11:36
this is awesome!! haha my friend plays this and it aint easy!
Robert Coughlan
October 11, 2013 at 12:13
Session mode, from what I’ve seen on the videos, is going to be awesome. If it works as advertised ie the backing band adapts to how you play.
Joe guitar
October 12, 2013 at 11:01
This game is awesome.
paul
October 20, 2013 at 21:45
do you need to keep your copy of rocksmith to transfer the songs over or no?
paul
October 20, 2013 at 21:49
and can you play 2 player with 2 guitars?
paul
October 20, 2013 at 21:56
do you need to keep the first rocksmith to transfer the old songs to the new game or no?
and can you play 2 player with 2 guitars or just guitar and bass?
filippo strazzeri
October 23, 2013 at 08:01
buy a fender mustang amp you can send audio signal via aux out.. works fine..