Rocksmith 2014 Edition

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. PlayStation Universe
    Oct 25, 2013
    100
    The definitive guitar tutorial that teaches wannabe guitarists in a fun and engaging way.
  2. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Oct 24, 2013
    95
    While Rocksmith 2014 won’t be replacing the guitar teacher, it was designed as a supplemental tool to make learning and practice a lot of fun. I feel that it succeeds in this design and is an essential addition to any guitarist’s arsenal, whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or you’ve been playing for years.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    Oct 23, 2013
    92
    It says on a piece of paper in the box that you can learn to play the guitar in 60 days by taking the 60-day challenge. While I am not going to say this is 100% accurate, I can honestly claim that if you have the drive to learn, then Rocksmith will definitely be the best tutor you’ll ever pay for.
  5. USgamer
    Sep 23, 2014
    90
    Rocksmith 2014 is a very impressive guitar learning experience. Its comprehensive suite of lessons and practice formats, fun mini-games and hugely entertaining Session Mode make it suitable for anyone, from novices who've never picked up a guitar to competent players looking to improve their technique.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Nov 11, 2013
    90
    Restrung and retuned to be the best guitar tutor available. Believe the hype. [December 2013, p82]
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  7. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 29, 2013
    90
    While technical hiccups are a shoe-in with any game as complex as Rocksmith, the ones found here don’t mar the experience much. Since every facet of gameplay has been given a nice thick coat of improvement in Rocksmith 2014, issues that the original title was known for have either been removed entirely, or overhauled beyond recognition.
  8. IGN
    Oct 22, 2013
    90
    It’s smooth, flexible, always encouraging, and makes practicing a pleasure rather than a chore.
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Oct 22, 2013
    90
    With Rocksmith 2014 the developers have done a great job expanding their original software. The new version of the “game” works much better than the previous one and the awesome Session Mode is incredibly fun. This is just software, anyway, and if you are trying to learn how to play guitar or bass, you should find a real teacher asap.
  10. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Jan 30, 2014
    89
    With its extensive focus on learning and comprehensive library, Rocksmith 2014 is a must buy for guitar enthusiasts.
  11. CD-Action
    Dec 13, 2013
    80
    If you want some painless and enjoyable guitar lessons, go buy Rocksmith 2014 Edition. [13/2013, p.74]
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  12. GRYOnline.pl
    Nov 25, 2013
    80
    Rocksmith isn't really a game the same way Guitar Hero is. It's more of a complex educational software that uses the look of a video game for better motivation. You could easily use YouTube videos and Guitar Pro tabs instead - and thousands of self-taught guitarists do. Fortunately putting everything in one place and using nice game-like graphics create a product that motivates better than any "usual" software does.
  13. JeuxActu
    Nov 14, 2013
    75
    Two years after the first game, Rocksmith 2014 does not convince us that it improved over its ancestor. Of course the menus are simpler and the overhaul of modes was a necessity. The lessons are plentiful and more detailed, the playlist still rocks and the teaching method is good for beginners. But some flaws are still present, whether it be the tuning recognition, or the need to have a specific setup to avoid latency; and new ones appear (unpolished Riff mode, useless impro mode, way overpriced). To sum up, those who bought the first episode of the series won't find anything groundbreaking in this new Rocksmith.
  14. Push Square
    Nov 22, 2013
    70
    Rocksmith 2014 Edition is certainly more suited to complete beginners than experienced musicians, yet still includes a host of brilliant features that will improve your skills when used daily.
  15. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 24, 2013
    70
    Rocksmith 2014 is a pretty good tool to learn how to play guitar and bass. The game features all the basics to understand the instrument and lead the guitarist to his first riff, all that with a tracklist full of classics and modern songs and a much better interface than in the first Rocksmith game.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PS3 Game of 2013
69
#69 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2013
71
#71 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 59
  3. Negative: 11 out of 59
  1. celsius
    Oct 23, 2013
    10
    I am probably a near perfect example of a totally new beginner who never had the discipline, drive, and patience to learn guitar viaI am probably a near perfect example of a totally new beginner who never had the discipline, drive, and patience to learn guitar via traditional means.
    Though I had purchased the original Rocksmith years ago, I made the mistake of purchasing the cheapest brand name guitar I could find on Amazon, the Squier Fender Bullet Strat ($99), which upon unpackaging had the strings touching the fretboard. I still don't know if this was due to shipping or the product itself... I was going to get it fixed at the music store a couple towns over, but never got around to it (I'm also a good example of procrastination).

    This time around I decided to do some more research before purchasing the guitar, but it seems the one that comes in the bundle is the best (or at least one of the best) for the price currently (Epiphone Les Paul Jr.). I had to dig around for my old PS3 component cable, found it, left the video on HDMI and simply plugged the audio portion from the component cable directly into my stereo. Tuning was a snap, and though during the very first lesson it felt awkward, I could tell I had made real progress by the very next day. They say you can learn in 60 days, and right now I'm a believer. I started before their online site was up (it's still in beta), but today it appears like a very good second screen tool to check your progress.

    Basically Rocksmith does for learning guitar what Mavis Beacon does for learning how to type. It makes the learning process fun, changes it up so it doesn't get too monotonous, allows you freedom to learn what you want when you want to, provides immediate feedback and rewards.

    I'm not an expert yet, but the thing is I'm having enough fun for this to be a daily habit. It's a console video game that teaches you a skill, and makes learning that skill fun enough to keep up with it over time. I hope this coming generation sees Rocksmith continue to refine this process with their xB1 and PS4 offerings, while adding piano, drums, and vocals.

    Who knows, maybe even Khan Academy and Rosetta Stone could have their own console versions. I remember "educational" games on the Magnavox Odyssey 2 back in the day. They were not fun. But the times and technologies have changed enough that I believe learning certain skills (especially musical ones) can be easy and entertaining at the same time.

    But back to Rocksmith 2014. I can't find a fault in it, and maybe that's because I'm a beginner, but the thing is, it makes me want to keep that guitar in my hands every day and keep on learning new songs/techniques, so it is perfect for me.    … Full Review »
  2. X-Abrupto
    Nov 6, 2013
    9
    After learning how to play guitar successfully with the first Rocksmith I couldn't but buy this one, not only because I wanted to supportAfter learning how to play guitar successfully with the first Rocksmith I couldn't but buy this one, not only because I wanted to support Ubisoft for finally delivering a good game/program which truly teaches guitar, but also because I thought it would be fun to learn some new songs.

    Surprisingly, there are many improvements with this one. Loading times are almost non-existent, the menu is quicker and more intuitive, the lessons are much more numerous and you can learn a lot more than you did with the first game. The songs offered with the game are more diversified and although we still get too much indy rock and not enough blues, we still get the feeling the guys who chose the tracks had the mission to improve their catalogue.

    They got rid of the crowd/venues which made the game lag. They took the Guitarcade games and remade them so that they would be more fun and less frustrating. Good job!

    With the first Rocksmith, they figured out that nobody cared about the number of guitars you could unlock, and they reinvented their sound forge. They added a nice mode, called "session mode" which simply lets you improvise whatever you want, accompanied by an interactive band. Just the fact that you can play guitar and hear yourself wherever you may be on the menu is an improvement to me.

    They even took the time to modify and augment the precision of past songs. For example, Breaking the Law by Judas Priest didn't have slides during their chorus in the first Rocksmith. They corrected it in Rocksmith 2014 and you can now play the real song exactly like the real band played it.

    One thing, however, that I really don't appreciate, is the fact that they charge around 10 bucks to transport your first Rocksmith songs to the new Rocksmith. I'm not talking about the DLC you might have bought those automatically end up in your new repertory. No, I'm talking about the 50-ish songs you already bought when you bought the first Rocksmith. You already paid for those songs and they want to charge you for simply transferring them to their new game? That's rubbish and that's why they don't get 10/10. Other games such as Littlebigplanet 2 let you import your Littlebigplanet 1 content at no additional cost.

    What should come next? Online multiplaye and a recording studio. Online multiplayer would be a great addition, as long as lag isn't involved. It's hard to come upon fellow guitarists in real life unless you already have friends who are musicians, but if you have access to other Rocksmithers all around the world, it would be so fun to jam together, whether it be death metal with a Norwegian or blues with an American. Secondly, a recording studio should be the next big step for Rocksmith... Give us the power to record songs, turn them into mp3s or something and upload them on servers hosted by Ubisoft so that others can listen to us and rate us!    … Full Review »
  3. Hogen
    Mar 24, 2014
    9
    As a beginner, who never struck a single chord before, the rocksmith experience have been a roller coaster ride. First off, yes it works. ItAs a beginner, who never struck a single chord before, the rocksmith experience have been a roller coaster ride. First off, yes it works. It really works. And it is fun. But, if you, like me, never played before I think you should at least think about talking to someone who do play. The reason is, when you play rocksmith without guidance, the game will tell you if you play the wrong note or chord. But the game can not see what you are doing wrong. So, for me, for instance, I struggled with muting strings and holding my fret hand a bit off.

    A short talk and "lesson" from a friend did the trick and I went from 26% progression to 97%. Have played the game, every day now for two months and are already seeing a huge difference. I have learned several chords, are more familiar with the frets and notes. And have also started to play along to my favorite songs only using headphones and trying to play the right chords.

    But! The game crashes at times. I have tried to find out why. Some, on the boards, say certain DLC can make the console prone to crashing, some say that the amount of free space on the drive is the culprit. I have only had three crashes in two months time, no biggie, but still an issue.

    Verdict? Play this game, play more guitar. :)    … Full Review »
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