GH: World Tour or Rock Band 2?

[Tempest]

I just found out that my friends from work play Rock Band 2 on the 360 and they want me to join in. Am I better off getting Guitar Hero: World Tour or Rock Band 2 for the instruments (I'd just get the game for the one I don't get). I hear the instruments are compatible, but I noticed that the GH drum set only has 3 pads while the RB one has 4. How does that work?

 

Tempest

[Hyper_Eye]

The GHWT instruments are much better than the RB instruments. In particular the GH guitar is really good. I have the GH2, GH3, RB, and GHWT (all XB360) guitars and out of all of them I'd say the GH3 wireless is best and the GHWT comes in next. The RB guitar is the worst. It is terrible.

 

The GH drums also blow the RB drums away. I got RB very early and I had to send the drums back. The replacement didn't work much better. The straight 4-pad setup is not realistic at all. The drums are more like plastic than hard rubber. The GHWT drums on the other-hand have a very realistic feel to their setup. You do a proper crossing of your hands to play the snare and hi-hat and the cymbals are above the drums as they should be. The pads are made of a very thick rubber that has a great bounce to it. The whole thing is also midi (as opposed to a simple trigger in the RB set) so they detect how hard you hit them and it is reflected in the game. This is used to give extra points when accents are played harder, to make a closed or open hi-hat sound and soft and hard drum hits during freeplay sections, and the volume and sound of the hit is registered in the music editor. The only thing I like about the RB drums over the GH drums is that there is a bar to set the pedal on so that it doesn't slide. That is the only thing I like about it over the GHWT set. Otherwise the GHWT set is bounds better. Using the GHWT set takes a little getting used to when playing RB because there is an extra pad on the set that does nothing but once you get used to it there is no problem. Alternatively, using the RB drums in GH means that one pad has to be used for two notes as the game is set up for the 2 cymbals plus three pads.

 

If I were you I would pick up GHWT with the instruments and snag a copy of RB2 to play with your friends using the GH instruments. You will have better instruments and both games are worth owning.

[Tempest]

GH:WT is also on sale at TRU this month for $139. Sounds like a winner to me.

 

Tempest

[jbanes]

GH:WT instruments are better. The Drums have 5 pads (3 drums, 2 high-hats), teach you to play like a real drummer, and can take a serious beating. You can play RB2 with them no problem, but playing GH:WT with the RB drums means that one of the notes gets dropped from the chart.

 

As for the guitars, there's no contest. The GH:WT guitar is a life-changing piece of kit. It is so incredibly natural that you don't realize how much better you're playing until you try going back to one of the previous guitars.

 

The advantage to the GH:WT guitar is that it's a bit larger than the GHIII guitar, it's thin and light, well-built, the strum bar has a perfect amount of resistance, the buttons are easy to find, the alternate star power button is right under your thumb, the whammy bar is stiffer than the GHIII guitar yet more solid than the RB guitar, and the neck feels great in your hand. Even the slider works really well for nailing a long string of hammer-ons.

 

As for the microphone, they're exactly the same. No surprises there.

[NE146]

The GHWT instruments are much better than the RB instruments. In particular the GH guitar is really good. I have the GH2, GH3, RB, and GHWT (all XB360) guitars and out of all of them I'd say the GH3 wireless is best and the GHWT comes in next. The RB guitar is the worst. It is terrible.

 

The GH drums also blow the RB drums away. I got RB very early and I had to send the drums back. The replacement didn't work much better. The straight 4-pad setup is not realistic at all. The drums are more like plastic than hard rubber. The GHWT drums on the other-hand have a very realistic feel to their setup. You do a proper crossing of your hands to play the snare and hi-hat and the cymbals are above the drums as they should be. The pads are made of a very thick rubber that has a great bounce to it. The whole thing is also midi (as opposed to a simple trigger in the RB set) so they detect how hard you hit them and it is reflected in the game. This is used to give extra points when accents are played harder, to make a closed or open hi-hat sound and soft and hard drum hits during freeplay sections, and the volume and sound of the hit is registered in the music editor. The only thing I like about the RB drums over the GH drums is that there is a bar to set the pedal on so that it doesn't slide. That is the only thing I like about it over the GHWT set. Otherwise the GHWT set is bounds better. Using the GHWT set takes a little getting used to when playing RB because there is an extra pad on the set that does nothing but once you get used to it there is no problem. Alternatively, using the RB drums in GH means that one pad has to be used for two notes as the game is set up for the 2 cymbals plus three pads.

 

If I were you I would pick up GHWT with the instruments and snag a copy of RB2 to play with your friends using the GH instruments. You will have better instruments and both games are worth owning.

 

You talking RB or RB2? I know the original RB intstruments leave a little to be desired... but the RB2 ones are wireless and improved aren't they?

 

p.s. I only have RB1 so I dont know myself

[Lord Helmet]

The guitars are a wash IMHO, but the GHWT drums are way better than the RB drums. Quieter, and much more responsive.

[NE146]

The guitars are a wash IMHO, but the GHWT drums are way better than the RB drums. Quieter, and much more responsive.

 

Yeah but isnt there a difference between the RB1 and RB2 drums I guess is my question. I guess I can google it....

[CPUWIZ]

The guitars are a wash IMHO, but the GHWT drums are way better than the RB drums. Quieter, and much more responsive.

 

Yeah but isnt there a difference between the RB1 and RB2 drums I guess is my question. I guess I can google it....

 

Yes, they are wireless.

[jbanes]

Yes, they are wireless.

Indeed. I'm actually a bit shocked at how little has changed between the RB1 and RB2 instruments. Other than the wireless aspect, the models I see in the store appear to be the same instruments as RB1. Wikipedia claims some slight improvements, but certainly nothing incredible:

 

Improvements to the new guitar include a more reliable strum bar and Overdrive accelerometer, a self-timing calibration, and quieter fret buttons. The bass drum pedal from the drum set can also be used with the guitar to activate Overdrive mode.

 

New improvements include velocity-sensitive drum pads (the force of the drum hits will dictate the in-game volume) with more rebound and less noise, a metal-reinforced kick pedal, expansion plugs for separately-sold cymbals manufactured by Mad Catz, and wireless capabilities.

 

GH:WT Drums have the velocity sensitivity as well and are way quieter than the RB2 drums in my experience. (As for how much quieter, let's just say that I had to come running when my son was wailing on the RB2 drums in Best Buy. ) The quiet aspect doesn't seem like a big deal until you realize the the "correct" way to play the drums is to really *TWHACK* them with a flick of the wrist, much like you would a real drum. If you try to go easy on the drums they may still work, but some notes may get dropped and you may have trouble keeping the rhythm.

Edited January 14, 2009 by jbanes

[Hyper_Eye]

GH:WT Drums have the velocity sensitivity as well and are way quieter than the RB2 drums in my experience. (As for how much quieter, let's just say that I had to come running when my son was wailing on the RB2 drums in Best Buy. ) The quiet aspect doesn't seem like a big deal until you realize the the "correct" way to play the drums is to really *TWHACK* them with a flick of the wrist, much like you would a real drum. If you try to go easy on the drums they may still work, but some notes may get dropped and you may have trouble keeping the rhythm.

 

I have been a musician for a long time and, though most of my time is spent with a guitar, I have spent enough time in front of drums to have developed habits. So I really whale on them. If they can't take a good beating I will break them. The GH drums make some noise because of how hard I hit them but it is nothing compared to the RB drums. Even with the pads I put on them I might as well be playing on buckets.

[+FujiSkunk]

Edit, restart.

 

As far the games themselves go, RB2 is the clear winner, in my humble opinion. As far as the instruments go, GH:WT might be the better choice if you're more into guitar, but RB2 is definitely the prefered way to go if you're more into drums.

 

It's true the RB2 drum kit only has five inputs to start with, compared to the GH:WT kit's six. However, the RB2 kit is expandable to include three more inputs, for a total of eight. During regular game play, each of these three extra inputs doubles one of the pads. The idea is that the extra inputs are the cymbals, and the pads are the toms, and you should play whichever is appropriate for that part of the song. In the actual RB2 game, they carry this a bit further; all eight inputs are different instruments during the drum fills and the drum trainer, giving you a full trap set with bass drum, snare, three toms, hi-hat, ride and crash.

 

The velocity-sensitive thing is a wash; the RB2 kit is also velocity sensitive.

 

If you really want to rock out on the drums, you could also get the Drum Rocker.

Edited January 15, 2009 by skunkworx

[keilbaca]

Rock Band 2.

 

GH: WT has a horrible set of songs, for me at least. I put in the cheat code just to play the Ozzy songs. I completely played through RB2, on guitar.

[Hyper_Eye]

Edit, restart.

 

As far the games themselves go, RB2 is the clear winner, in my humble opinion. As far as the instruments go, GH:WT might be the better choice if you're more into guitar, but RB2 is definitely the prefered way to go if you're more into drums.

 

It's true the RB2 drum kit only has five inputs to start with, compared to the GH:WT kit's six. However, the RB2 kit is expandable to include three more inputs, for a total of eight. During regular game play, each of these three extra inputs doubles one of the pads. The idea is that the extra inputs are the cymbals, and the pads are the toms, and you should play whichever is appropriate for that part of the song. In the actual RB2 game, they carry this a bit further; all eight inputs are different instruments during the drum fills and the drum trainer, giving you a full trap set with bass drum, snare, three toms, hi-hat, ride and crash.

 

The velocity-sensitive thing is a wash; the RB2 kit is also velocity sensitive.

 

If you really want to rock out on the drums, you could also get the Drum Rocker.

 

None of that changes the fact that the RB pads suck balls.

[Tempest]

I ordered GH: WT off Amazon for $139. Once it gets here I'll go and buy Rock Band 2 and use the GH instruments with it.

 

Tempest

[+FujiSkunk]

None of that changes the fact that the RB pads suck balls.

 

I respectfully disagree, especially where the Drum Rocker is involved.

[jbanes]

None of that changes the fact that the RB pads suck balls.

I respectfully disagree, especially where the Drum Rocker is involved.

I respectfully disagree with your respectful disagreement. The GH:WT pads WORK out of the box. The RB2 pads are fragile pieces of plastic that need hundreds of dollars more in equipment to do anything useful with.

[Hyper_Eye]

None of that changes the fact that the RB pads suck balls.

 

I respectfully disagree, especially where the Drum Rocker is involved.

 

The Drum Rocker is an aftermarket part. We are talking about what comes in the box when you buy the game. That is what the OP asked about.

 

Besides that, the drum rocker works just fine with GHWT as well. So if you had an intention of buying a full-boxed game plus this aftermarket part I would still recommend buying the GHWT set because of the much better guitar. But once you have the GHWT drums you may be less inclined to buy the drum rocker unless your intent was to have a set that works with your games and as a real electronic kit as well. With RB drums I think it is almost essential to buy some amount of upgrades to make the drums bearable.

[+FujiSkunk]

I respectfully disagree with your respectful disagreement. The GH:WT pads WORK out of the box. The RB2 pads are fragile pieces of plastic that need hundreds of dollars more in equipment to do anything useful with.

 

 

The Drum Rocker is an aftermarket part. We are talking about what comes in the box when you buy the game. That is what the OP asked about.

 

Points conceded. To be fully honest, I did break my first set of Rock Band drums, and I agree they are not to be treated like real drums, or in other words, the way someone with some knowledge of percussion technique would treat them. However, I don't think it takes "hundreds of dollars more in equipment" to get them up to par with the GH:WT drums. The biggest problems are in the pedal and the outer two pads. The RB2 pedal improved on that with metal plating, while a couple of bits of piping, which can run around $20 if you don't want to make your own, dramatically improve the support of the outer pads.

 

But yes, out of the box, they need a bit of TLC.

 

I still don't like the lay-out of the GH:WT drums, though, and I still say the lower number of inputs is a significant limiting factor. But then I take this a little more seriously than the average party gamer might. That's why I bought the Drum Rocker.

 

Besides that, the drum rocker works just fine with GHWT as well. So if you had an intention of buying a full-boxed game plus this aftermarket part I would still recommend buying the GHWT set because of the much better guitar. But once you have the GHWT drums you may be less inclined to buy the drum rocker unless your intent was to have a set that works with your games and as a real electronic kit as well.

 

...or if you want to take full advantage of the RB2 game, which I still think is much better than GH:WT, instruments notwithstanding.

Edited January 15, 2009 by skunkworx

[Hyper_Eye]

I still don't like the lay-out of the GH:WT drums, though, and I still say the lower number of inputs is a significant limiting factor. But then I take this a little more seriously than the average party gamer might. That's why I bought the Drum Rocker.

 

I have logged hundreds of hours with these games over the last few years so I know what you mean. But I would never put the word serious and one of these games in the same sentence. In comparison to playing in a real band, with a real instrument, and writing real music... these games don't mean jack to me. They are a toy. If I were looking at equivalent choices in real instruments I would spend whatever it took to get what appeals to me along with the best quality. I have spent many thousands of dollars (more than I am going to subject myself to counting) on all my guitars, amplifiers, effects processors, PA gear, etc. I am not really willing to spend more than the standard cost of one of these games for a toy. It is barely within the range of what I am willing to spend and that is only if I close my eyes when I pay.

[+FujiSkunk]

I would never put the word serious and one of these games in the same sentence.

 

I knew I was going to get called on that.

 

Let me emphasize, I take this a little more seriously than the average party gamer might.. I'm not suffering any delusions that playing games will turn me into a real musician, but I am enough of a music geek to want something at least a little closer to the real thing.

Edited January 16, 2009 by skunkworx

[2600Lives]

Overall, I'm gonna go with GH World Tour as the better game. While I only own the original Rock Band kit, it still works great with GH. GH also has a MUCH stronger set list, and the difficulty has been scaled back from previous games. Hell, I'll take GH anyday simply because it has Pull Me Under!

 

Also, today they released a new track pack. Finally, some Silverchair!

[Tempest]

I have both games now, so if anyone wants to play my ID is Tempest 2084

 

Tempest

[Princess-Isabela]

The GHWT instruments are much better than the RB instruments. In particular the GH guitar is really good. I have the GH2, GH3, RB, and GHWT (all XB360) guitars and out of all of them I'd say the GH3 wireless is best and the GHWT comes in next. The RB guitar is the worst. It is terrible.

 

The GH drums also blow the RB drums away. I got RB very early and I had to send the drums back. The replacement didn't work much better. The straight 4-pad setup is not realistic at all. The drums are more like plastic than hard rubber. The GHWT drums on the other-hand have a very realistic feel to their setup. You do a proper crossing of your hands to play the snare and hi-hat and the cymbals are above the drums as they should be. The pads are made of a very thick rubber that has a great bounce to it. The whole thing is also midi (as opposed to a simple trigger in the RB set) so they detect how hard you hit them and it is reflected in the game. This is used to give extra points when accents are played harder, to make a closed or open hi-hat sound and soft and hard drum hits during freeplay sections, and the volume and sound of the hit is registered in the music editor. The only thing I like about the RB drums over the GH drums is that there is a bar to set the pedal on so that it doesn't slide. That is the only thing I like about it over the GHWT set. Otherwise the GHWT set is bounds better. Using the GHWT set takes a little getting used to when playing RB because there is an extra pad on the set that does nothing but once you get used to it there is no problem. Alternatively, using the RB drums in GH means that one pad has to be used for two notes as the game is set up for the 2 cymbals plus three pads.

 

If I were you I would pick up GHWT with the instruments and snag a copy of RB2 to play with your friends using the GH instruments. You will have better instruments and both games are worth owning.

 

guitar hero drums suck big time compared to ION(best - is a real electronic drumkit) which has been converted to work with rockband 2 and guitar hero world tour.

as far as guitars go, I also prefer rockband instruments(bigger buttons, doesn't look like a toy with colored buttons and it feels much more realistic),

also about the songs, I love rockband 2 setlist, guitar hero wt has some catchy tunes but overal RB2 is just a fantastic game with very strict timing window that will make you a better player, dlc is also million times better(get megadeth's peace sells album) if you like challenge and you'll be good to go.

I own both games but thanks to constant dose of dlc and overal much better experience I hardly ever play GHWT.

Edited January 25, 2009 by Princess-Isabela

[Hyper_Eye]

The GHWT instruments are much better than the RB instruments. In particular the GH guitar is really good. I have the GH2, GH3, RB, and GHWT (all XB360) guitars and out of all of them I'd say the GH3 wireless is best and the GHWT comes in next. The RB guitar is the worst. It is terrible.

 

The GH drums also blow the RB drums away. I got RB very early and I had to send the drums back. The replacement didn't work much better. The straight 4-pad setup is not realistic at all. The drums are more like plastic than hard rubber. The GHWT drums on the other-hand have a very realistic feel to their setup. You do a proper crossing of your hands to play the snare and hi-hat and the cymbals are above the drums as they should be. The pads are made of a very thick rubber that has a great bounce to it. The whole thing is also midi (as opposed to a simple trigger in the RB set) so they detect how hard you hit them and it is reflected in the game. This is used to give extra points when accents are played harder, to make a closed or open hi-hat sound and soft and hard drum hits during freeplay sections, and the volume and sound of the hit is registered in the music editor. The only thing I like about the RB drums over the GH drums is that there is a bar to set the pedal on so that it doesn't slide. That is the only thing I like about it over the GHWT set. Otherwise the GHWT set is bounds better. Using the GHWT set takes a little getting used to when playing RB because there is an extra pad on the set that does nothing but once you get used to it there is no problem. Alternatively, using the RB drums in GH means that one pad has to be used for two notes as the game is set up for the 2 cymbals plus three pads.

 

If I were you I would pick up GHWT with the instruments and snag a copy of RB2 to play with your friends using the GH instruments. You will have better instruments and both games are worth owning.

 

guitar hero drums suck big time compared to ION(best - is a real electronic drumkit) which has been converted to work with rockband 2 and guitar hero world tour.

as far as guitars go, I also prefer rockband instruments(bigger buttons, doesn't look like a toy with colored buttons and it feels much more realistic),

also about the songs, I love rockband 2 setlist, guitar hero wt has some catchy tunes but overal RB2 is just a fantastic game with very strict timing window that will make you a better player, dlc is also million times better(get megadeth's peace sells album) if you like challenge and you'll be good to go.

I own both games but thanks to constant dose of dlc and overal much better experience I hardly ever play GHWT.

 

Well I am not speaking from my ass. I own Guitar Hero 2, Guitar Hero 3, GH: WT, Rock Band, and Rock Band 2. I have also played through the original Guitar Hero. I prefer the GH hardware and the Rock Band software.

 

As I stated earlier, the ION set is not a stock set. You will not find it in the RB box upon opening it. What you will find is a piece of junk compared to what you will find upon opening the GH: WT box. If the question were about third-party parts then the conversation would have been much different. The ION drums work for BOTH games so it doesn't answer the original question.

 

As for the guitars I respectfully disagree. The GH guitars feel like better quality, the buttons are smoother (especially on the edges), and the GHWT guitar has the star power button in the perfect place, a long whammy bar which is the best design so far, and without a doubt the best strummer yet.

 

This is what I got for attempting to slide on the RB guitar (the one time I decided to try the RB guitar out):

 

 

As you can see it ripped a chunk of skin right out. That bled pretty good. I have never had a problem sliding on a GH guitar. This is why the RB guitar will continue to sit unused. But it does contribute to my collection. I have as many plastic guitars as real ones now (GH2, GH3, RB, GHWT).

Edited January 25, 2009 by Hyper_Eye