By Jason Savio

Do you want to learn how to rock? Do you want to really learn how to rock? While nothing can compare to a human teacher or having an “Aha!” moment on your own, Bandfuse: Rock Legends comes close. Guitar Hero, music gaming’s original sweetheart, just got relegated to the kids’ table. Bandfuse takes the formula of that sentimental favorite ~ playing along with your favorite songs to the notations on the screen ~ and morphs it into an actual learning experience, with a few legends along the way to help guide you on your quest for rock stardom.

What makes Bandfuse such a realistic and practical experience is that it requires you to plug a real guitar, bass or microphone directly into your console. Gone are the fake, plastic instruments with their big, bright buttons. This is the real deal. And while there’s no denying that Bandfuse isn’t the first to apply this real-world approach to music gaming, it is the first to include such in-depth attention to performing.

One such offering is the highly educational and impressive Shred U mode. Within Shred U is the Skills Lab, a tutorial for not only guitar, but also bass and vocals, that lets you fine tune the fundamentals and expand into advanced techniques. For guitar and bass, in particular, everything from basic scales and chord structures to tapping and harmonics is covered and explained. What helps Bandfuse stand out from other games are the actual guitar legends, like Slash and Zakk Wylde, giving tips and pointers in video segments that are peppered throughout. It’s like having your own private lesson with some of the greatest guitarists of all time, right in your own living room.

Also included in Shred U, and just as expansive, is the Lick Lab. More focused on the playable songs within the game, Lick Lab shows the authentic notation and approach to playing each riff and note. Are you having a hard time with a particular part of the solo in Living Colour’s Cult of Personality? No problem; each song is broken down and can be slowed down and looped to make sure that you’re hitting every hammer-on, bend and trill.

You can test your skills in the Tour Mode, where ~ just like in guitar games of old ~ you can play along with your favorite songs. The song selection is quite diverse, ranging from Wolfmother’s Woman to more pop-oriented guilty pleasures like Rick Springfield’s Jessie’s Girl.

As involved and instructive as Bandfuse is, it’s not just for those who are skilled veterans or who are looking to master every nook and cranny of the game. This is a game for all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who has played for years, Bandfuse Rock Legends will rock you.

For more information, visit bandfuse.com.