BandFuse: Rock Legends is the latest game to enter the world of music simulation. Similar to Ubisoft’s Rocksmith, the game from Realta Entertainment Group uses pitch detection software. Any guitar or bass with a quarter inch plug can be used.
One major difference between BandFuse and other pitch detection games is how the notes are displayed. BandFuse uses a right to left scrolling tablature interface, opposed to how Harmonix and Ubisoft’s games both have the notes coming towards the player from the depths of the screen.
This makes things more accessible for players who have more of a musical background, yet comes across as a little intimidating for those looking for more of a game than a learning device.
Personally I have very little experience playing the guitar. On several occasions I have tried to teach myself some of my favorite songs, using guitar tabs online but usually don’t get any further than the intro. Playing Bandfuse for me was familiar and simple, thanks to the fret board interface with tabs for the song clearly laid out on the corresponding string.
I had no problems getting through an entire song on the beginner difficulty.
The game will support two guitars, one vocalist and one bass playing all at the same time to give players the ability to have jam sessions. In addition to local multiplayer, players can record their own original content and share it with friends over xbox live and compete on leaderboards with the on disc song list.
Song List:
- “You Oughta Know” (Alanis Morissette)
- “Jessica” (The Allman Brothers Band)
- “No Rain” (Blind Melon)
- “Godzilla” (Blue Oyster Cult)
- “Yellow” (Coldplay)
- “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” (Fall Out Boy)
- “The Bleeding” (Five Finger Death Punch)
- “Hemorrhage” (Fuel)
- “Barracuda” (Heart)
- “Drive” (Incubus)
- “Breaking the Law” (Judas Priest)
- “Cult of Personality” (Living Colour)
- “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
- “Harder to Breathe” (Maroon 5)
- “I’m Broken” (Pantera)
- “Alive” (Pearl Jam)
- “Jessie’s Girl” (Rick Springfield)
- “Limelight” (Rush)
- “Back From Cali” (Slash)
- “Should I Stay or Should I Go” (The Clash)
- “Stellar Revival” (The Crazy Ones)
- “Reptilia” (The Strokes)
- “Roundabout” (Yes).
Each song has five difficulties, with the hardest having the player play every note of the song.
While Realta isn’t currently working on any MIDI drum support, they are considering the idea depending on the success of the initial release. BandFuse will be launching exclusively on xbox 360 early January 2013. After release they hope to add visual representation of rhythms with actual note values which will help familiarize players with reading actual sheet music.
