Rock Manager
	Developer Monsterland AB Publisher Pan Interactive/DreamCatcher Interactive Version boxed retail version Reviewed by Kevin L. Kitchens [Feedback] [Author Bio] Review Date July 15, 2002

Rating (out of 5.0) 2.0 out of 5.0*

Judge for yourself

Strengths Unique theme for a simulation Cute graphics Neat song mixing mode Weaknesses Promotes questionable behaviors Graphic language with no filter options Limited gameplay options

* Notes Gaming Voice ratings are based on the technical and/or gameplay merits of a given product as well as the developer's choice of features and delivery of same. Our rating is not an endorsement of the thematic content of a given title. Gamers and parents are cautioned to determine if such content conflicts or coincides with their values and beliefs.

Overall, it's hard to recommend Rock Manager

To start, you create your band -- one to five musicians hired to fill different roles. Vocalist, drums, keyboards, bass, guitars, etc. In whatever combination you prefer. As usual for this type of game, the better the skill of the hireling, the more it will cost you. The vocalist is the key to the band's success. So hire the best and keep them happy.

Each musician comes from various styles as well: punk, pop, and regular rock. You may have to juggle the players to keep them compatible. Mixing Britney Spears with Aerosmith only works for the Super Bowl.

Once your band is hired -- and you're paying them weekly -- you need to secure a song for them to record as their big hit. You can buy songs from a publisher or "write" your own. Once you have a song, it's off to the recording studio. If you like, you can add additional studio musicians to round out the sound you're looking for.

Here lies one of the best parts of the game -- and most interactive. The recording studio allows you to mix the recording the way you like. Each song has premade segments for the various vocals and instruments -- each with several different styles. You pick the style for each track, add any mixing effects, and set the volume for each channel. When the song is the way you think it should be, hit record and voila -- your band has a hit record.

Or so they hope.

The next step is to set a release date, promote the record to the media and retail outlets, and schedule gigs to get exposure for the band.

Rock Manager works as a series of "missions" as well as a "sandbox" mode. There are no options screens and no save/load screens (the game saves when you exit and picks up where you left off when you reload). Each successive mission increases in difficulty and you may have to play several over many times to complete the required objectives.

The graphics of the game are clever and cute, reminding me of The Settlers: cartoony, but not campy. Although the game is ESRB-rated "M" for so-called MATURE gamers, the harsh language completely caught me off-guard and is unnecessary for the game. Sadly, there is no option to turn this off or tone it down (or any other options for that matter).

The game also seems to promote questionable behaviors. Some of the musicians are noted as living a gay lifestyle, which clearly has no place in any game. It simply shouldn't be addressed as it isn't relevant. Additionally, drinking is promoted heavily in the game. To keep your bandmates happy, some of the options include presenting gifts of alcohol in various forms and quantities.

Overall, it's hard to recommend Rock Manager, unless you're really into the simulation genre. The game's limited options offer limited replay value and beyond its unique novelty theme, it brings very little new to the genre.