Rock of the Dead

Last updated
Rock of the Dead
Rock of the Dead.jpg
Developer Epicenter Studios
Publishers Conspiracy Entertainment
UFO Interactive Games
Platforms iOS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
ReleaseiOS
September 2, 2010
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: October 19, 2010
Genres Rhythm game, Rail shooter

Rock of the Dead is a music video game. It was developed by Epicenter Studios and distributed by Conspiracy Entertainment and UFO Interactive Games. The game was released in 2010 for iOS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. [1]

Contents

Gameplay

Players use a guitar or drum peripheral to control the game. Two players can play what is called a "competitive co-op" throughout the game.

Plot

Players will take on the role of the main character (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) who has the ability to defeat enemies (often zombies) with the power of rock as he searches for his love interest (voiced by Felicia Day). Players have a few weapons at their disposal (including a shield and blast power-up), but the player can only use these by strumming the correct colored fret buttons in order on their guitar controller. The developers have bands record rock versions of classical music. [2]

Development

Epicenter described the game, saying, "Picture Typing of the Dead but with Guitar Hero guitars." [2]

While originally announced as a Wii exclusive title, the title would ultimately release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and iOS. [3] While Epicenter claimed that a planned Wii version was not cancelled and simply on the back burner, the game never saw a release on the Wii console. [4]

Reception

The game received "generally unfavorable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [5] [6] David Wolinsky of 1UP.com felt there was a great idea on paper but was hampered by the "riffs and chord progressions" mechanic not corresponding to the background music, the soundtrack mostly consisting of "lazy, metal renditions" of classical compositions and the boss battles being stale and "arbitrarily drag on too long," concluding that: "There's a great idea lurking around in Rock Of The Dead's dumb-fun concept, but instead the game winds up being dumb even when it isn't trying to be." [7] Corey Cohen from the Official Xbox Magazine was also intriguted by the idea but criticized the repetitive "key-smacking gameplay" and "campy but laugh-less" tone, concluding that: "With co-op play, four difficulty levels, and multi-instrument support, Rock's developers clearly put effort into it. We just wish it were a shorter, cheaper proposition — like a $10 slice on Live Arcade. Even at $40, it's hard to recommend to anyone besides serious thrashmasters." [15] Will Herring of GamePro found it to be a "surprisingly lengthy game" that boasts a great concept but was poorly executed in its "mundane gameplay", "cluttered interface", overused tracks and a "barebones presentation." [9] Ian Bonds of Destructoid criticized the "confusing controls", lack of a targeting system and the "hum drum voicework" from an inconsistent cast, concluding that: "[T]his game does not in fact rock, but succeeds in doing quite the opposite." [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Rock of the Dead". UFO Interactive Games . Archived from the original on October 24, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Harris, Craig (February 9, 2010). "First Look: Rock of the Dead". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  3. ↑ Fletcher, JC (August 26, 2010). "Rock of the Dead now listed for PS3 and 360, with spinoff iOS apps". Engadget (Joystiq). Oath Inc.
  4. ↑ rawmeatcowboy (October 4, 2010). "GameStop drops Rock of the Dead Wii listing". GoNintendo.
  5. 1 2 "Rock of the Dead for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Rock of the Dead for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 Wolinsky, David (October 19, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review". 1UP.com . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 Bonds, Ian (October 24, 2010). "Review: Rock of the Dead". Destructoid . ModernMethod. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Herring, Will (November 1, 2010). "Rock of the Dead (X360)". GamePro . GamePro Media. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  10. ↑ Bishop, Sam (November 5, 2010). "Rock of the Dead review (X360)". GamesRadar+ . Future plc. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  11. ↑ Miller, Greg (October 19, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  12. ↑ Miller, Greg (October 29, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review (X360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  13. ↑ McElroy, Justin (October 11, 2010). "Rock of the Dead review: Frampton comes undead (X360)". Engadget (Joystiq). Oath Inc. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Rock of the Dead". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK . Future plc. February 2011. p. 103.
  15. 1 2 Cohen, Corey (November 2010). "Rock of the Dead". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. p. 76. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
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