The influence of the Beatles’ music is undeniable, and any project involving them is sure to be heavily scrutinized by fans and critics alike. Chances are, your decision to purchase the Beatles Rock Band is dependent less on gameplay and features than your general love or hatred for the fab four. So I’ll spare you the long winded review,  and just say that if you appreciate the lads from Liverpool in any capacity (and you should), you will love the Beatles Rock Band.

Seeing the joy on my father’s face, the biggest Beatles fan you are likely to meet, when he played “Come Together” for the first time was pretty remarkable. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard my mom yell “Unison Bonus!” while playing “I Saw Her Standing There”. No other rhythm game has such an accessible list of tracks. Sure, titles like Guitar Hero 5 may have a ton of great songs, but playing those games with varying age groups can be tough, because very few songs will be recognized and liked by everyone. The Beatles’ music is the closest to a universal sound, one which nearly everyone can relate  and enjoy.

Any Beatles fan will appreciate the subtle details that make this game feel so authentic. I found myself wanting to watch the songs rather than play them at times just to view the impressive visuals unique to each track. Any collector is sure to want the limited edition instruments as well, although I abstained due to my preference for the clicky strum-bar of Guitar Hero and general sense when it comes to overpriced peripherals. Though I may eventually try to snag one of the standalone guitars when they inevitably plummet in price in a few months.

Ultimately, If you have been considering a rhythm game, make sure its the Beatles: Rock Band.