VR simulators are generally tied to the combat or sports genre. However, Rock Band VR brings a new twist to VR with its rock’n’roll simulation style.
In this post, we’ll explore various aspects of Rock Band VR and determine whether it’s worth your money.
Moreover, we’ll also discuss some essential FAQs.
Rock Band VR
Rock Band VR is a new addition to the long-running Rock Band franchise. It brings VR elements to guitar playing with a long list of unique tracks. Moreover, it also features two different ways to use VR controllers for in-game controls.
Alternate #1
Ragnarock VR
Ragnarock VR is a combination of rhythm and combat genres. It features boat races that must be won with on-point rhythmic queues. Moreover, its VR world is based on various mythological elements for a highly immersive experience.
Alternate #2
Beat Saber
Beat Saber is an immersive VR simulator that blends lightsabers with music. It lets you play and jam to various music tracks or create your own unique tune. Moreover, it has various game modes to polish your rhythmic skills.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
When it comes to the rock’n’roll genre, Rock Band is a household name. It is based on the simple idea of using a guitar controller to riff along your favorite tracks.
Rock Band VR is a take on this old idea with a taste of virtual reality. You can show off your skills in front of a crowd or simply jam with your friends.
What sort of controllers do I need for it?
You can turn any guitar controller into a virtual one with the help of Oculus Touch. Other than that, it also features compatibility with basic VR controllers.
It all depends on what sort of immersive experience you desire. We must also mention that it also supports previous controllers from the PS3, PS4, and XBOX 360 era.
Do I need an active internet connection for Rock Band VR?
We noticed that Rock Band VR is designed for couch and online play. You can use multiple controllers and play in offline mode.
On the other hand, it also enables you to play across various platforms. Furthermore, Rock Band VR also has a global leaderboard to compare your scores with other players.
Features and Benefits
Game Modes
Rock Band VR comes with multiple game modes that you can play solo or with your friends. It features a campaign mode and a leaderboard mode.
Both modes feature unique tracks that you can play. Campaign mode follows the story of your avatar as you progress to turn into a rockstar.
What is the idea behind leaderboard mode in Rock Band VR?
If you are into multiplayer modes, the leaderboard game mode enables you to compete against other players.
Playable Content
We noticed that Rock Band VR has tons of playable content. You get a list of playable tracks with the base game.
Moreover, it also features downloadable tracks that you can get from the main website. The DLCs include tracks from Aerosmith, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, and many more.
Do I have to pay for DLC tracks?
Currently, every single track beside the base game is paid. This is to ensure the quality experience of every user.
Controllers
As we have mentioned earlier, you can use any guitar controller with Rock Band VR. It only requires Oculus Touch to connect a controller.
You can connect PlayStation 4 Fender Stratocaster and Fender Jaguar. For XBOX, the same Fender controllers can be used.
Can I use normal VR headset controllers?
We noticed that you can use basic VR headsets controllers but only to a certain extent. Some tracks are compatible while some are not.
Updates
Another thing we must mention is the consistency of updates. Rock Band VR regularly adds new tracks for you to play.
You can also turn on notifications for future updates to keep yourself updated. Furthermore, Rock Band VR also introduces seasonal themes to add new flair to the simulator.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Rock Band VR
Price
Our team noticed that Rock Band VR is a fairly expensive simulator game. This is mainly due to the popularity of the franchise.
However, you can find some cheaper options during seasonal sales. Even at a high price, the game provides an enjoyable experience.
Compatibility
After multiple tests, our team concluded that Rock Band VR is a high-demanding simulator. You need at least an Intel i5-4th gen with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 to play it.
For optimal performance, you’ll need an Intel i7-5th gen with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU. Moreover, it also requires at least 8 GB of RAM.
Availability
Currently, Rock Band VR is only available for Oculus users. You can use Oculus Rift, Rift S, Quest, and Quest 2 VR headsets with it.
Rock Band developers have no future plans to release the game for other VR headsets. Moreover, it is only available for download on the Oculus store.
Pros and Cons
- Highly immersive
- Multiple game modes
- Easy to learn
- Made for all age groups
- 360-degree field of view
- Requires an active internet connection
Social Proof
After our thorough testing, we decided to check some user reviews. We found that most of the reviews were very positive and praised the game for its blend of music with VR.
Some of the users stated that the overall VR experience was quite enjoyable even after weeks of playing.
Moreover, some users also mentioned the fluid game controllers. They stated it was quite identical to playing a real guitar on stage.
Rock Band VR Alternatives (Recommendations)
#1: Best Fantasy VR Music Simulator - Ragnarock VR Review
When it comes to music simulators, most of them generally feature life-like elements. We picked Ragnarock VR because combines fantasy with music.
You can play as a Viking and race alongside other players in boats. It has various legendary atmospheric elements from Celtic and pirates.
Does Ragnarock VR have custom songs?
Besides the Viking-themed music, we noticed that you can also add custom songs as well. However, custom songs are only available for solo play.
Moreover, it also features multiple instruments to help you find your vibe. You can choose from drums, guitars, and multiple keyboards.
How difficult is the gameplay?
Our team found that the base gameplay of Ragnarock VR is quite simple. There are no hidden mechanics to give other players an advantage.
Furthermore, there are multiple difficulty levels as well. This helps you polish your skills to unique tracks.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Ragnarock VR
Price
After multiple comparisons, we found that Ragnarock VR is a fairly cheap simulator. You can either purchase the base game or get a complete bundle with extra content.
Furthermore, we also noticed that you can get multiple sales during seasonal promotions on the STEAM store. It features sales on the base game and the music packs.
Compatibility
We ran multiple tests to check the compatibility of Ragnarock VR. Our team concluded that it is a high-demanding music simulator.
You’ll need a Windows 10 OS with an Intel i5-7th gen and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 to run. Moreover, it also requires at least 16 GB of RAM.
Availability
Currently, Ragnarock VR is only available for Windows OS. Other than that, it also features support for 4 major VR headsets.
You can either use HTC Vive, Valve Index, Oculus, or Windows Mixed Reality headsets. However, we find it to be quite smooth with Vive headsets.
- Immersive VR environments
- Linear gameplay
- Suitable for all age groups
- Single and multiplayer modes
- Budget-friendly
- Only available on PC
Best Fantasy VR Music Simulator
The best fantasy VR music simulator is Ragnarock VR. It features a combination of mythical and musical elements. You can battle your friends and other players online. Moreover, it also has the feature of adding custom songs.
#2: Best Custom VR Music Simulator - Beat Saber Review
For our next alternative, we have Beat Saber. We choose this music simulator because it features lightsabers as music tools.
You can slash through rhythmic beats to earn a score and go on long streaks. Moreover, its entire gameplay is based on the idea of fast pace action.
How do lightsabers act as musical instruments?
We noticed that in order to use lightsabers as instruments, you have to slash the rhythmic beats. It shows which direction to slash and which lightsaber to use as well.
Furthermore, you can either wield single or dual lightsabers. It also enables you to change the color of your lightsabers.
What sort of controllers do I need for Beat Saber?
You can use any universal VR controller to play this game. It can either be played with a single controller or both sticks.
Moreover, we noticed that it doesn’t require any movement beside your hands. You don’t need to press extra buttons to play this game.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Beat Saber
Price
Our team found that Beat Saber is a moderately priced music simulator. It is quite affordable given the amount of playable content in it.
Other than that, you can also purchase various bundles to add new tracks and lightsaber cosmetics. This can add new flair to the base game.
Compatibility
We noticed that Beat Saber doesn’t require a powerful PC to play. You can easily use a PC with average specs to run this simulator.
The minimum specs required for this simulator are Windows 7/8/10 OS with an Intel i5-3rd gen and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970. It also requires 8 GB of RAM.
Availability
For its availability, we must mention that it is available for PC, XBOX, and PS. Moreover, it is also available for 4 major VR headsets.
We found it to be highly compatible with Valve Index and HTC Vive headsets. This is mainly due to the design of the controllers.
- Unique gameplay style
- Endless list of playable tracks
- Custom beat mode
- Online multiplayer
- Campaign mode
- Doesn’t have other musical instruments
Best Custom VR Music Simulator
The best custom VR music simulator is Beat Saber because it features a custom game mode to create your own beats. Besides that, you can also customize your lightsabers and add new flair to the game.
Buyer’s Guide
Following is a detailed list of factors you need to keep in mind before purchasing a music simulator. Let’s check them out.
Price
The first and foremost factor you need to keep in check is the price. Most music simulators you can find only are moderately priced.
This is mainly due to the amount of gameplay these simulators provide. However, it is quite essential that you compare prices.
How will this benefit me?
Due to the similarity of gameplay, you can find cheaper options on online stores like STEAM. Moreover, it is generally a good practice to do so.
Compatibility
Next up, we have the compatibility aspect of music simulators. Many people often overlook this and end up with a simulator that isn’t supported by their PC or console.
This can cost you money and unwanted trouble down the line. We recommend that you check the recommended specs of a music simulator before buying.
Where can I check the recommended specs?
You can find the recommended specs of the music simulator on its respective online store or main website. They are usually stated after the description section.
Availability
Lastly, you need to check the VR availability of music simulators. Since music simulators use different types of controllers, they might only be available for certain VR headsets.
We recommend that you get a music simulator that is compatible with at least 2 VR headsets. This way, you can switch up your experience without any difficulties.
Is there any other advantage of availability?
Moreover, it also enables you to use controllers for other VR headsets. For example, simulators compatible with Fender controllers can be played on any VR headset.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
What is the recommended VR headset for Rock Band VR?
Even though all Oculus VR headsets are compatible with Rock Band VR, it works best with Oculus Rift. This is mainly because other Oculus headsets have minor connectivity issues for controllers when it comes to Rock Band VR.
What are the recommended specs for Ragnarock VR?
The recommended specs for Windows 10 (64-bit version) with an Intel i7-6th gen and an NVIDIA GTX 1080 or equivalent. Furthermore, you’ll also need at least 16 GB of RAM to run the game smoothly.
What are the recommended specs for Beat Saber?
For optimal performance, you’ll need a Windows 10 OS with an Intel i7 and an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1060 or equivalent. Besides that, you’ll need more than 8 GB of RAM for fluid visuals and audio output.
Which controllers are best for music simulators?
In most cases, you’ll be fine with normal VR motion controllers. However, for simulators that feature different instruments, you might need specific controllers. For example, Rock Band VR requires respective Fender controllers to play properly.
Do I need an active internet connection for music simulators?
For most music simulators, you won’t need an active internet connection. The complete contents of the simulator are available in offline mode. However, if you want to add new tracks, it will require access to the internet.
Do music simulators have cross-platform features?
Some of the music simulators provide cross-platform features. It enables you to play with your friends online regardless of their platform. It includes access between PlayStation, XBOX, and PC. Moreover, cross-platform also increase the player base for multiplayer.
Which instruments are most used in music simulators?
Many music simulators use basic musical instruments to make it enjoyable for all age groups. It includes guitars, drums, and pianos. You can also find music simulators that have drums and other technical musical instruments.
How do I add custom music to Beat Saber?
You can add custom music to Beat Saber by two methods. Either you can go to Custom Mode and open the file from there or you can add files manually to the Music folder of the game. Although both methods work, the first one is quite convenient.
Can I create custom music in Beat Saber?
One of the major features of Beat Saber is that you can create your own music. You can use the built-in musical queues to create a unique tone. Furthermore, it also lets you play it as a custom level in the game.
Why is Rock Band VR so popular?
The main reason behind the popularity of Rock Band VR is its ability to mimic a life-like stage. You can perform solo or with your friends in front of a crowd. It lets you create your own band with unique musical instruments.
Wrapping Things Up
This brings us to the end of our review on Rock Band VR. We hope you can use this post to make an informed decision about Rock Band VR.
Rock Band VR is a musical simulator that lets you play various instruments in front of a crowd. It features multiple game modes that you can play solo or with your friends. Moreover, it has a long list of tracks that you can download from the online store.
Which music simulator is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.