Rock Band 4

 Xbox One
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. TheSixthAxis
    Oct 13, 2015
    70
    Rock Band 4 is fundamentally an excellent update to what was arguably the finest rhythm-action game of the last generation. However, it currently feels like it lacks ambition, and some features haven’t been given the update they could have had while others have been removed.
  2. Destructoid
    Oct 5, 2015
    70
    On one hand, it's not only a hassle to switch generations due to the fact that so many elements don't work with the new one, but additionally -- Rock Band 3 is still a thing, supports all of your DLC, and has more features. On the other, there's nothing inherently wrong with this iteration, and for those of you who missed out in the past or have broken 360s or PS3s, you'll still be able to rock out into the night with friends and have a whole lot of fun.
  3. Gamer.nl
    Dec 7, 2015
    65
    Rock Band 4 is made for two audiences and it succeeds only a little bit. The gameplay is a lot better, but the features are definitely worse. Making this game backwards compatible is a nightmare, but as long as you just play the new stuff, you will have a good time with Rock Band 4.
  5. Twinfinite
    Oct 18, 2015
    60
    If you plan on having your friends over to experience the game with you, it’s absolutely worth it — if not, this game might be better left off and unplugged.
  6. Giant Bomb
    Oct 16, 2015
    60
    Rock Band 4 feels more like a maintenance release than a proper relaunch of this once-popular franchise.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Dec 9, 2015
    After years of overexposure, a few years of absence for this style of rhythm game has gone a long way to making my heart grow fonder for Rock Band. Now that some time has passed, Rock Band 4 is as good an excuse as any to remind yourself why the genre became a fad in the first place and to rediscover the joy to be found in plastic instruments that may still have some life in them yet.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
51
#51 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
51
#51 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 58
  3. Negative: 12 out of 58
  1. raashnavj
    Oct 6, 2015
    5
    This game is a shell of a game that still needs an iteration (or a year more dev time) to be worth you paying money for it. If you areThis game is a shell of a game that still needs an iteration (or a year more dev time) to be worth you paying money for it. If you are familiar with RB3 (and can still play it) you can outright skip this edition as it only adds the typical release worth of songs to your library.

    If you are upgrading from X360 to XOne you better have wireless instruments, they didn't bother to add support for USB devices (which my ION Drum Kit is a wired connection so I don't have to waste money on batteries). The devs have made a good case, document, explaining what is compatible or not. But it never-the-less rubs wrong to know that after I bought it. You could say I should have done my research... yep I could have. Would have saved me $60.

    You probably also have a ton of downloaded songs from all the RB you have already played. Unfortunately due to some legal issue (or something like that) you can't redownload all your songs at a click of a button. (Restore purchases anyone? Wow, Mobile is ahead of consoles. never thought I would say that...) Instead you have to painstakingly look through every song until you download them one by one. The developers didn't even make a feature that would generate a list of songs you own and then force you to click one but one. Nope you have to get them out of the big pile of songs... all mixed.

    The game is prettier. But doesn't have online multiplayer, practice mode, or a lot of other features from RB3... Really, you know if you want it. It is definitely a casual iteration - buy the whole band in a box or skip it until they fix it.    … Full Review »
  2. rukastar
    Oct 20, 2015
    3
    Rock Band 4 is a regressed and unoriginal game, not just unimproved in virtually every aspect from it’s predecessor, but outright lacking inRock Band 4 is a regressed and unoriginal game, not just unimproved in virtually every aspect from it’s predecessor, but outright lacking in several well-liked features omitted for what can either be described as disturbingly bare bones efficiency so sharp it suffers, or a lack of serious, genuine quality . My experience with the game was mostly unplayable, plagued by bizarre audio/visual input lag problems that cannot seem to be corrected with any number of calibration attempts. Vocals echo back miserably delayed making it frustrating to sing, the drum overdrive activation via open fills are just a mess and concentration breaking, meanwhile the “new” feature of open guitar solos is equally hurt by timing issues presented by grotesque lag. The whole aesthetic is lacking in any bells and whistles, from cutting the franchise trademark intro cutscene completely, to just a single image of default characters in an unmoving pose in plain sight in the menu as the least notable songs on disc repeat in various 15 second loops, an absolute pain if you have any reason to spend more than 5 in the menu with virtually no options aside from settings, quickplay, and tour. Accessibility in song selection is severely hindered by the removal of RB3-style comprehensive sorting, leading you to potentially sort alphabetically not by letter but band title alone in a sea of songs, assuming you have the many thousands of songs previously made available throughout the years. If not, you’re stuck with a shallow pool of mostly deep cuts and bands I’m certain could just be local independent nobodies who won some sort of contest to appear on disc. Johnny Blazes, I’m looking at you! Online play, keyboards, pro instruments, RB3 vocal enhancements, making setlists, practice mode, different quickplay venues, and anything close to a competent character creator have all been removed. Thanks! For years I have waited for what I hoped would be a triumphant return for the franchise, something resembling a huge advancement over previous games and the progress they’ve made - but I could not be more wrong. Rock Band 4 feels like a shell, just the bare minimum made to enjoy the flowing charts of songs, and maybe that’s good enough for most people, but for me, it’s just insulting.… Full Review »
  3. BassGuitarFan
    Oct 16, 2015
    5
    Rock Band 4 wasn't as good as i thought it was. RB4 lacks a lot of good features than from the past previous games. 1st Character CreationRock Band 4 wasn't as good as i thought it was. RB4 lacks a lot of good features than from the past previous games. 1st Character Creation doesn't have as much features like the previous games. It doesn't have weight, height, muscle, or face (nose, chin, eyes, ears, cheeks and lips adjustments features). 2nd Very less clothes to dress up your character. And you cannot choose your own shoes. 3rd Less hair styles to choose from. 4th Less Guitars, Bass, Drums, and Microphones to choose from. And no Keyboard Support. (Could they make an update to bring keyboards back?) 5th No Band Logo that you can create. 6th No Favorite Song Set list that you can create in Quick Play.
    I have to say the Default Characters are more cooler looking in Rock Band 3 than Rock Band 4. As for the Band Stand Ins you cannot place any favorite characters you made to fill in your band, you can only choose the RB4 defaults.
    It is very difficult for the DLC songs you loved that you've bought and you have to go back to the Song Store and repurchase them all again. But i have heard that the game makers will fix and make updates for the old songs that you bought for DLC to bring in for RB4 easier, which is a good thing. I believe the company says that they are working hard to bring every DLC back to the setlist in the store which will take us customers patients. Hopefully the previous RB1, RB2, RB3, Lego RB, AC/DC Live Track Pack will come into RB4 soon.
    The good thing about this is the Free Style Guitar Solo which is fun to make up and for those of you who have a hard time playing the original hard solos. They do have a lot of good songs for the original RB4 set list.
    I'd say that RB4 is a little ok but not horrible. It feels as if they rushed to make this game. If you want more fun then keep Rock Band 3.    … Full Review »
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