Publisher: Positech Games
Genre: Business
Release Date: May 26, 2007
The Bottom Line: "Kudos" fans will find plenty to enjoy in "Kudos Rock Legend." It's easy to learn and has that addictive element that so many sim games have.
"Kudos Rock Legend" Features
- You are lead singer of a band. You make decisions about how you spend your days.
- Work on musical talent, shop, book gigs, record CDs, rehearse, or take the day off and relax.
- Accept or reject sponsorships.
- Hire and fire band members.
- Decide where your band will play next and advertise if need be.
- Buy and upgrade instruments for band members.
- Listen to music CDs to inspire your team.
- Songwriting mini-game to write new hit songs.
"Kudos Rock Legend" Review
If you've played any of Positech Games before, you'll know what type of gameplay to expect. "Kudos Rock Legend" does not drift from the elements that has made his other games successful. There is not a lot on screen action; it's similar to text sports management games that have become popular. The gameplay is about your decisions and in the outcome.
Character creation is first on the to do list. Creation involves picking a face, a look (basically different hair colors), and gender. I would have liked to seen more options here. Not necessarily appearance, but an editor where we had to choose which areas are character succeeded in. Maybe they aren't business like, but excel in musical talent.
As the lead singer of the band, you are responsible for everything and are the glue that holds the band together. Hiring and firing the staff (based on their abilities, personality, and compatibility with other members) and deciding how to spend your days together is all up to you. Time together can be spent rehearsing, working on musical abilities, finding and playing gigs, writing songs, shopping, recording CDs, advertising, or relaxing.
Songs are written by playing a mini-game. A puzzle of song notes need to be put together to receive the highest score. In the beginning, you don't have many combinations. More difficult music note combos are earned by seeing bands or listening to CDs. The song writing mini-game actually works out well. It's not difficult and yet makes you feel like you're doing something besides clicking buttons.
Once songs are written, it's time to find a few gigs, write more songs, work on talent (a mini-game of memorizing the order of musical notes), rehearse, and find time to generate hype by handing out flyers. Later on if your band is any good, you may be offered a record deal or sponsorships. Choose one thing each based on your band's needs and their energy. They will give you their thoughts at the beginning of each day. Some will be more positive, others get down quickly when success doesn't happen over night. When success does come they may whine about having a roadie or getting massages before a gig.
You have five game years to become a star. That time goes by quickly. One game can easily be played in one day, if not two games; if you can game for a long stretch of time. It takes a few games to get into a groove of finding some success.
How you feel about previous Positech Games will point you in the right direction as to whether you should download the demo and perhaps purchase "Kudos Rock Legend." I see no reason why "Kudos" fans won't flock to this version. It has a lot of same elements. It's just more focused on one career.
