As someone whose played Rock Band since the series made its first appearance in 2007, it was a pleasant surprise to see the franchise making a return this year. Last week, Rock Band 4 was released and it was met with mostly positive reviews (my review:) While Rock Band 4 is a great addition to the series, it’s sorely lacking in some areas. Let’s look at the five things I love and hate about the game.
Love List
1. Freestyle Guitar SolosÂ
This is hands down the best new feature of Rock Band 4. I will never be able to go back to beat matching solos after playing these. It feels amazing to put your own spin on a song. What’s even cooler is that the game has a separate mode that allows you to freestyle over an entire song just for fun. Not only that, but the freestyle solos also work on your old DLC. Jimi Hendrix anyone?
2. Pre-Rock Band 3 Songs Feature Harmonies
My biggest gripe with Rock Band 3 was that only some of the songs in my library featured harmonies. Thankfully, Harmonix has upgraded all of the pre-Rock Band 3 DLC with harmonies, which allows you to re-experience your old songs in a new way. Couple that with freestyle solos and you’re golden!
 3. Revamped Career ModeÂ
While Rock Band 3 was the most ambitious game in the series, its career mode was sorely lacking. Rock Band 4’s career mode gives you some freedom as to what type of band you want to be. You can choose to play for money or become indie darlings. Your choices impact the gigs and rewards you get. The only feature missing from the career mode are the challenges we saw in Rock Band 2 that would be continually updated as new DLC was released.
4. Old DLC SupportÂ
This feature was the make or break for a lot of players. Almost all of your old DLC transfers over to Rock Band 4 and while it can be cumbersome to download your old songs, Harmonix accomplished something really impressive here. Take note Guitar Hero.
 5. Backwards Compatible With Old InstrumentsÂ
Most of your old instruments work on Rock Band 4. I even had an old third party guitar I used back in the day for Rock Band and Guitar Hero and it works on Rock Band 4! Not only that, but my electronic drum kit and the ion premium kit also work on Rock Band 4 for the PS4. Here’s to not having to buy new peripherals!