Game Stooge

“So, This Is Christmas And What Have You Done…?”

• Scribbled on December 28th, 2007 by JBonner71
• Filed in Editorial Content, Microsoft Xbox 360, Music/Rhythm

Well, I’ve played a lot of Rock Band, actually.

Not exactly what Mr. Lennon had in mind, I’m sure, when he penned that classic tune, but after spending quite some time with the game, I’ve come to the conclusion that a straightforward review just doesn’t do this title justice. Here’s why.

In the weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays I felt about as Scrooge-like as I have ever felt in my life. I left my unfulfilling job with the ESRB in late October and it’s been a bit tougher than I expected to find a new, full-time gig. So, money has been in short supply, which is never good around Christmas, and my temper and patience even shorter. Put simply: I’ve been an asshole of epic proportions for the past two months and not much fun to be around.

Christmas morning finally came and my kids tore through their presents in about 5 minutes flat. Good, the insanity is over. Now we can get on with our goddamn lives, I grumbled to myself, sure that my recently installed “humbug” dial was cranked all the way up to 11.

Then, we unboxed ROCK BAND, which was a combined gift for my 12 year-old daughter and 9 year-old son. Soon after the unpacking, I found the shitty attitude that I’d been dragging around with me for the past couple months swiftly adjusted. And all it took was a quick romp through Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So,” not a night long character assassination from three haughty spirits.

Watching my son blaze through the solo on that song while my wife belted out the lyrics and I grooved along with the bass line, I felt what I had been missing for the past couple of months: a deep, loving connection with my family and a whimsical, almost childlike, appreciation for the spirit of the season. Yeah, it took me some time but I finally found it. Beyond whatever religious beliefs you may have, to me, this is what Christmas should be all about. And, yes, ROCK BAND, a “simple” video game, was the medium that delivered this most welcomed epiphany.

So, I’d like to thank Harmonix, MTV Games and EA for putting out this fine product which, in my humble estimation, should be the hands down winner of GAME OF THE YEAR, simply because it saved my Christmas and made me feel like a kid again.

And no matter how hard someone would try, a price cannot be placed on that.