Rock Band 3 - Boxed - PS3

Rock Band 3 is the third game in the main Rock Band series and offers numerous innovations compared to the original game. As in the previous games in the series, players form a band (with up to seven players) and perform a song together, using guitar, bass, drums, vocals (solo or in harmony) and - new to this game - keyboard. By working together, players can maximise their score. Each player can fill an energy bar by playing special note sets. Once they have enough, they can activate "Overdrive", which adds a x2 multiplier for each player who activates Overdrive at the same time (so, for example, if four players activate Overdrive, you get x8 points instead of x2 for just one person).

Vocal harmonies, first introduced in The Beatles: Rock Band, are being brought into the main Rock Band series for the first time. Up to three players can perform at the microphone, with one player taking the lead vocal and the remaining players taking backing vocals. When players harmonise with each other, they can achieve double or triple the score, depending on how many players can keep up. The game also introduces a new play style for each of the instruments, called "Pro Mode". Pro Mode is even more closely modelled on the actual instruments for players seeking an even greater challenge - guitars have multiple buttons on the fretboard and players must actually strum strings, the drum kit must be equipped with three cymbals, while the keyboard uses even more keys, so the performance is much closer to actually playing the instrument.

The game's career mode has also been overhauled for this title. Instead of grinding to earn money to unlock new items, the game is instead based on achievement-like "goals". Every goal you unlock earns you more fans for your band and often unlocks new items of clothing or instruments. All songs are unlocked from the start, so those who just want to play for fun can do so, while those looking for a deeper experience can take on the "Road Challenge" mode, where you have to travel to various venues and perform songs there. Every star you earn for a song is converted into "Spades" at the end of the performance, and the more Spades you earn, the more goals you unlock, which in turn leads to even more fans and items. You can earn bonus Spades by completing the required tasks at the start of each song, such as using Overdrive continuously, performing note streaks while in the spotlight, or activating Overdrive when it's full and then performing note streaks.