Review by: Brandon "American Idiot" Cackowski-Schnell

After Harmonix delivered the only officially licensed Beatles themed rhythm game it was hard to imagine where the developer would go from there. After all, how do you top creating a game that focuses on the most influential band in the history of rock music? The answer: you don't. Instead you look to the history of modern music for inspiration and just as punk followed the musical excesses of the 60's and 70's you offer up the gaming equivalent of what Tommy Ramone called "pure, stripped down, no bullsh*t rock 'n' roll." Enter Green Day. From their roots as punk revivalists to their current role as status-quo questioning, high concept rockers, the band has always been known for two things, amazing live shows and no bullsh*t rock 'n' roll.

If The Beatles: Rock Band was all about showcasing the artistry and creativity of The Beatles, arguably the band's most enduring qualities, then Green Day: Rock Band is about showing off this band's best trait, namely the ability to put on one hell of a rock show. The career mode of the game is split up into three arenas: the Warehouse, a fictional mashup of the various house parties and small venues that Green Day played prior to the release of Dookie, the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England where the live CD Bullet in a Bible was recorded and the Fox Theatre in Oakland, California, home to the first live performance of 21st Century Breakdown.

When compared to past Rock Band games, the venue selection is undoubtedly sparse, however what the game lacks in venues it more than makes up for in the performance animations. These are some of the most energetic and entertaining performances that Harmonix has ever made. From the early, aggressive guitar playing of Billie Joe and Tre Cool's penchant for standing on his drum stool to the bombast and grandeur of the American Idiot tour, these performances capture the band's mannerisms and stage presence so well you'd think you were watching the performances the animations were based on. Having seen the band live, I was constantly amazed at how well the feeling of their live shows was recreated, right down to the audience participation and errant stage divers. I half expected Billie Joe to shoot a t-shirt cannon through my screen and ended my session looking for skull and crossbones confetti amidst my furniture.

In terms of game structure, Harmonix decided to revisit the structure of The Beatles: Rock Band. The career mode consists of four to five song sets split up among the three venues. Songs are performed one at a time, which, given the frantic nature of the music, seemed at odds with the material. Personally, I wanted to just get to the music and let 'er rip on the sets all at once. As you finish songs with three or five stars, photos of the band are unlocked and you earn cred, the in game currency used to unlock challenges.