After realizing that Wii owners would be getting a watered down version of Rockband, THQ’s latest offering, Battle of the Bands does not exactly calm the nerves of the Wii gamers.
Think Battle of the Bands as a mash between Guitar Hero and Mario Kart. These two games are good by themselves but when you mix the gameplay together a horrible disfigured lovechild appears! Please THQ, de Blob looked fantastic but why go ruin your rep by releasing this piece of potential shovelware?
Basic gameplay is as follows, you flick your Wiimote in the direction of the ‘notes’ on screen, ala Guitar Hero, and along the way power-ups will appear on the note that allow you to ‘damage’ your opponent by hurting his score. The entire gameplay of Battle of the Bands looks very weak. Music rhythm games like this worked on Raving Rabbits because everyone was part of a band, co-operating together and played in unison. Raving Rabbits’ simple control scheme was acceptable because the music segment was only a small part of the game not core gameplay like Battle.
Guitar Hero layout. Mario Kart power-ups. Uninspiring controls. Zero points for preview hype.
Fun? I don’t think so. Even if imitation was the most sincere form of flattery, i’m pretty sure the makers of Guitar Hero and Mario Kart would be downright offended.
Here’s a more rosy look for the game. Image taken from Kotaku
