Rocksmith - Klampfenkrampf and the fear of Audio Lag

The game represents a true innovation in the sign of music games on the market. Reenact songs with your own guitar and still have fun by a scoring system which keeps me constantly on the ball. Those were my thoughts when I heard last year from Rocksmith. Today it has finally arrived with me and before I have many test is part of an audio lag, which can sound the tone just after striking the string.
To say it right away: Yes even with analog cable and the "best" setting you will still have an audio lag of about 50 ms.

About me: I've been playing 12 years guitar. Due to massive laziness I would define my level to advanced. However, I am also very talented at every musical instrument. This self-assessment is possible for the following types of meaning. For what is easy for me, can be totally overwhelming for a newcomer.

1. Here we go

After inserting the DVD and you have attached the cable I find no way to install the game. Maybe I'm at this point only too stupid and have played too much XBOX, that I can not find this option. So be it. The many places mentioned to long or even endless loading times I can not confirm. The game loads faster or as fast as a Gran Turismo 5 be installed routes. As I said, find it more quickly since you can play around a bit during the break.

2. The entry

At the very beginning you will be warmly received and every beginner quickly explains the most important things. I would have a "Skip" desired at this point, but that's not possible. Perhaps just as well. The German language edition is in fact very good and the speaker can convince. The videos are short, but quickly convey the most important thing. Beginners will probably already have here the first problems, as they may want to repeat the video. However, this is the main menu at any time.

Right at the beginning you will be shipped after the tutorial in career mode to rehearse there immediately for the first gig.

3. The first song

The first song is really very very very beginner friendly. The notes fly slowly and clearly visible to the player. For me it was not a problem to catch the initial 3 different shades, so the game immediately lifted me to a new level, so that the title was interesting. Incidentally, it was "Satisfaction" by the Stones. At the bar on the top of the screen you can see very well where to progress technically located in each section. That is, if someone has taken all the notes in the section, the beam is completely colored. Weakens you against another one section so this is just filled only to 50% for example.

4. Performance adjustment

As already mentioned, there is in this game, a power adjustment, which I consider to be very successful. I for one came very quickly to a higher level. Once there, I meet with my titles are foreign quickly to challenges. The game remembers here for each section of each song my performance level, so I'm moving in the rhythm sections, for example, at the highest level, while in the Soli-areas my performance level has been somewhat dimmed. Should I now worse in an already mastered by me range through a series of false notes, the system is me runterstufen not immediately Special me the opportunity to adapt myself to the new level of difficulty. The worse is relatively fast if you lays hands in a hectic situation on the fretboard. When you're in a couple of songs on an upscale level, the game will raise the starting difficulty degree following, unplayed titles. So it is not compelled in every new song to start all over again. Especially in such situations also incorporates the tolerance of downgrading quite well because on a new song to have to adjust each only. Well done!

5. Career & challenges

The career is in my case is not so advanced, but in 2 hours I've already done 3 GIGs to heart and brought a gold medal in a challenge. Here I did not really paying attention, because it is possible for a song after another runterzududeln in good Rock Band or GH manner, but exploring new techniques such as bends or PullOffs / Hamme ring offered by the game challenges in Career mode, which enable to improve the technology in this area tremendously. One should this option if you also want to learn something, not leave out and play extensively.

6. Charging times

As already mentioned, the load times are not really big, but when I play a challenge, these have finished with silver and they may play again wants to lose without my progress, I have to reload all the titles again. Quasi all the fun again. I did that whole 2 times. As I wait times but were then too long for such a short fun, I have waived my progress and set the restart option in the pause menu at the end of the song. As I said, at this point of progress in this challenge will not be saved. This is important insofar as one can reach a perfect score even more tones, which necessitate the repeated playing of the challenge.
Nevertheless, I would like to mention once again that the load times do not appear too long for me, on the whole.

7. Graphics

The question whether you need high-quality graphics in a game like this is to be regarded more subjective, but I want to represent my brief opinion. Yes it's true, the audience are 2D Pappsteller the move. BUT, these are quasi recorded video sequences of people who celebrated in front of a stage at the camera. For the purpose after the show in the fans to see and determine my performance based on their response, the graphics are more than adequate. No player will ever time the environment have to be considered while playing because something is learned and the dynamic difficulty demands a careful so that people can not see. If there is a game that does not need better graphics, then Rocksmith. I'll say it again prefer: The graphics are good, not very good, but not bad either! Similar to Rock Band 2 but without the performer in 3D on stage.

8. Cable

The question I have asked myself: Can I use the Xbox cable also on the PS3, since there is only one USB cable and nowhere is whether that is possible. So you can go to a friend who has a PS3 and play there with his adapter and his guitar.

9. Guitar

I would like to mention here on a matter relating to the instruments. Yes, it is sufficient in a very convenient guitar, but the pickup of these cheap guitars have usually not good output, so that the guitar may sound too quiet. The volume with my Fender American Standard is good, but would make a Les Paul Epiphone even more pressure because their pickups are louder from the ground up. Furthermore, this guitar is cheaper by far.
For beginners I recommend to her guitar raise thinner strings and the same stock up on spare. Thicker strings are for beginners although more appropriate for the purpose of power development, but also promote the frustration factor and you want but learn through play. A string thickness of .010 on the small E string should be a good middle ground. Also, make sure if the strings become discolored by sweat, this switch without cracking or breakage must be respected by the good sound.

10. DLC

There are about 15 songs available as DLC. I find that little for a game that was already available over 8 months in the United States. Possibly are here license terms blame. However, the rock band and Co do better. Let's see what time brings.

The career and each song the title of the DLC can be played in already contained Bass mode. This is already integrated in the German version of the game.

11. Lag

TV: LE40C650 Samsung
Speaker: Teufel Ultima 40
AV receiver: Yamaha RC-V471

First Try:
Konole-> HDMI> AV Receiver> TV

Lag ca 80-100ms. Noticeable delay. No so nice feel.

Second Try:
Console-> HDMI> TV
Console-> Analog cinch> AV Receivers

Was about 40-50 ms. That is the minimum which should be technically possible currently. It is sufficient. You can tell it even if you are daring plan, but it plays well and even if you want to play the notes for the exact time, you can do so by the delay in the game. It is also possible with Lag sounds exactly to play if they were to come, according to clock well.

12. Conclusion

Rocksmith got me completely convincing and now brings out the playful. I can imagine that I can improve my technique tremendously with this game. Whether it's the blind find their way on the fingerboard or the proper execution of bends to the right target note. For beginners who have some discipline and not be too quick to give up, as well as advanced users who want to improve their skills or just learn new songs playing, Rocksmith is just right. Buy!