New York, NY (Top40 Charts) We all know that great rock tracks have the power to captivate, tugging at our aural senses with awesome guitar breaks and riffs, pounding at our very souls with the rhythmic drum beats. But did you know that rock has also inspired the most vivid imaginations, fuelling creativity that has led to the development of numerous video games?
Music has always been a fundamental part of cinema, and as lines get even more blurry between different forms of entertainment in the digital age, rock found its way its way into the gaming universe. Indeed, the creative use of rock music has formed the basis for numerous releases in the last couple of decades, becoming the beating heart of unique and exciting experiences. Let's take a look at some of the most notable examples.
Brutally engaging rock fantasy world
Famed for his passion for all things rock, movie and music icon Jack Black has forged his entire career around the genre. Needless to say, when he was approached to share that devotion to rock within a fantasy video game world, he absolutely loved the idea. Thus came the release of Brütal Legend in 2009, an action-adventure game set in an open world, filled with craziness and heavy metal tunes.
Bütal Legend is currently available at classic gaming store GOG, which itself is an acronym for "Good Old Games" no less. Described as being somewhere between Lord of the Rings and Spinal Tap, our protagonist is Eddie Riggs, the animated super roadie voiced by Jack Black himself. Fighting evil minions with his electric demon-slaying guitar, his task is to battle alongside the Metal Gods, who themselves are portrayed by many rock legends.
Ozzy Osbourne plays a starring role as The Guardian of Metal, while there's also a cameo appearance by the late, great Lemmy Kilmister, amongst other easily recognizable stars of the genre. Further voice talent is provided by famed actors, including Tim Curry and Jennifer Hale, bringing this outlandish and amazing fantasy world to life, accompanied of course by fantastic rock tracks that drive our adventures forward.
Rock has now hit the jackpot
If the previous game highlighted how entertainment mediums are increasingly merging, the next selection takes things even further, combining wonderful rock music with gambling and engagingly unique gameplay. That's right, some of the most famous rock bands and artists now have their very own online slot games, while their music has become the driving force that keeps the reels turning.
Motörhead and Ozzy Osbourne were amongst the first acts to get their own slots, as players aim to activate bonus features and land cash prizes, while many other bands have also joined the fray. The legacy of Jimi Hendrix is cherished with his own unique slots memorial, while the peak years of Guns N' Rosas are also fondly remembered with another. Megadeth now have their own game, and the genre wouldn't be complete without spinning reels themed around the Rolling Stones.
But while these legendary rock names will certainly excite fans, urging them to try these thrilling slots, the best way to experience the games is via the most reputable sites. This is based upon the latest free spins casino reviews via VegasSlotsOnline, who focus on providing informative guides covering this gaming genre, alongside highlighting where the best options can be found. What's more, they present the opportunity to try the most popular games for free.
Cultivating your very own rock music skills
Part of what feeds our enjoyment of rock music is the appreciation of exceptional talents, people who are able to reach deep within our very souls, thanks to their amazing skill with musical instruments or lyrical wizardry. Some of us might also be somewhat envious of their abilities, wishing we could produce such profound levels of brilliance ourselves. Well, the popularity of rhythmic games over a decade ago aimed to give us the chance to try.
Despite being hugely successful over a decade ago, developer Activision eventually dropped titles including Rock Hero and Guitar Hero, regardless of once achieving impressive sales around the world. But thankfully, various indie games developers have taken up the challenge, producing their own take on the genre. One such 2022 release in early access via Steam is an arcade drums game for VR platforms, with Drums Rock developed and produced by Garage51.
This game puts our own rhythmic and timing skills fully to the test, as we attempt to hit the beats to the tune of great rock tracks, most of which fans will easily recognise as they drum along. These are all set within the backdrop of colourful worlds and scenery, albeit of course with our focus guided towards the most important part of the game, the fully customisable drumkits that are central to forging our skill in this fun game.
