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‘Rock Band’ sequel steals the show

What do you do for an encore after launching one of the biggest video games in recent memory? If you’re Harmonix, the makers of the just-launched “Rock Band 2,” you make it bigger, better and louder.

This sequel to last year’s ambitious music game features more than 80 new rock songs, including tracks from the likes of AC/DC, Soundgarden, Bon Jovi, The Who, Linkin Park and even Guns N’ Roses’ new “Shackler’s Revenge,” from the highly anticipated album “Chinese Democracy.”

If you haven’t stepped onstage with the original “Rock Band,” in this game series you play along to hit rock songs on a plastic guitar or drum kit peripheral, or sing in a microphone, and must hit the right note/drum at the correct time in order to rack up points. Perform well and the virtual crowd claps to the beat, but make too many flubs and you might hear some boos or get yanked offstage.

The real fun in the game, however, is playing different instruments with friends as a band in front of the same TV or over the Internet, hence the name of the game.

This sequel doesn’t veer much from what made its predecessor the hottest thing since, well, “Guitar Hero,” but a few improvements and additions help justify the purchase. First, the only thing that isn’t louder in “Rock Band 2” is the instruments. The “Special Edition Bundle” version of the game ($189.99) ships with a quieter and wireless drum kit, along with a more responsive and better-looking guitar and microphone.

Along with all new songs, “Rock Band 2” also features new solo and multiplayer game modes (such as a “Battle of the Bands” online competition) and the ability to import most of the original “Rock Band” tracks (but this will cost you $5 to “compensate music licensors for expanded use” says Harmonix). Tracks that will not be available for import into “Rock Band 2” are “Paranoid,” “Run to the Hills” and “Enter Sandman.”

Speaking of extra songs, “Rock Band 2” will again allow you to download additional tracks — by song or complete albums — and will play any previously downloaded track, too. By year’s end, more than 500 downloadable tracks will be available for the game.

Unfortunately, as with the first “Rock Band,” the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 versions of “Rock Band 2” do not offer any Internet connectivity for multiplayer gaming or downloadable music. For that you’ll need the more powerful Microsoft Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

So, is “Rock Band 2” worth the money? The answer is yes, but with a condition. If you loved the first game and are happy with the plastic instruments you already own, then just pick up the disc with all the new songs and modes on it, because the new instruments — while wireless and quieter — might not be worth the cost for the entire kit. But if you’re new to the game series or prefer the new peripherals, then the entire kit is for you.

And let’s face it — because the original game is only 9 months old, “Rock Band 2” isn’t too radically different than “Rock Band” — so consider this game “Rock Band 1.5” rather than a true sequel. That said, gamers looking for a rocking thrill won’t be disappointed with this purchase.