Beat Saber recently released its Rock Mixtape featuring Free Bird, Sweet Child O’Mine and 6 other Rock anthems. I’ve been playing for a week now and wanted to share my opinion on all of the songs on the Tracklist.
I’ve been waiting for a Music Pack like this to drop for ages because all that modern stuff just ain’t happening for me.
The only other music I’ve purchased from Beat Saber has been a few select songs from the Linkin Park Pack, and that was well worth it.
Encouraged by the experience, I had high hopes for the Rock Mixtape and can tell you now, it didn’t disappoint.
For the record, I’ve been playing Beat Saber’s Rock Mixtape on the Meta Quest 2.
This post is based on my personal experience at the date of publication. It may contain speculation, personal opinion, and human error. Please confirm in-store for current information. Consult the User Manual for your device before using VR. This post is not advice.
Beat Saber Rock Mixtape: Song List/Tracklist
There are 8 songs in total in the Beat Saber Rock Mixtape:
- Steppenwolf – Born To Be Wild
- Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
- Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
- KISS – I Was Made For Lovin’ You
- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
- Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’Mine
- Foo Fighters – The Pretender
Before I get to the reviews, it’s important to note that my personal preference for the music will likely influence my opinion. But where I don’t particularly like a song, I’ll make it known so you can take it into account.
That said, it’s my intention to consider the rhythm, the intuitive nature of the block timing and positioning, the ambience, and the challenge itself, for this review.
Finally, I’ve played all of these songs on Normal and Hard at least a few times each. And with some of them, my favourites, it’s been many more.
Ok, let’s go!
Steppenwolf – Born To Be Wild
Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf is a solid start to the Beat Saber Rock Mixtape.
The arena is decked out a bit like a rock concert and the music comes thumping at you, and before you know it, you’re cutting down those blocks.
This isn’t one of my favourites, but it’s a fun Beat Saber experience.
The blocks sync well, the challenge carries you along, and the environment is well-balanced.
Born To Be Wild is the upbeat experience you’d expect it to be and I’d happily play it again.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐★★
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger (Beat Saber)
Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger was one of the songs I was really pleased to see in this Pack. Of course, it’s an absolute 80’s classic, most famously known for its use in the Rocky movies.
-It’s a great workout track that’s just so inspiring.
Sadly, I found the conversion to Beat Saber to be lacking.
It didn’t feel as intuitive as others, the timing wasn’t great, and the blocks didn’t build well into the crescendo.
On top of that, there was a lot of squatting involved, -which is a difficult exercise for me.
It was awesome to hear the song playing in a Beat Saber arena; it just wasn’t as well executed in my opinion.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐★★
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird (Beat Saber Rock Mixtape)
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird was the track that made me purchase the Beat Saber Rock Mixtape.
This song is so epic and cool, and the idea of playing it in Beat Saber was too much to deny.
And thankfully, it was done pretty much to perfection.
What’s so great about this conversion to Beat Saber?
- Just playing the Epic intro for starters
- The timing of the blocks is lovely, hitting the drums, and just chilling in VR land
- The position of the blocks forces you to dance like you’ve had one too many at a concert
- The guitar solo at the end is especially vivid, and
- There’s a massive animated monster who does a jig in time with the song which is fantastic
The only negative I’ve found is the length of the song (8mins+). -Just make sure you’ve got enough time to play it.
Also, you might have to go up to Hard or Expert to get a challenge; but be warned, the blocks ebb and flow with the tempo of the song (that changes throughout), and so could lull you into a false sense of security.
Overall, I would say that Free Bird was made for Beat Saber. It’s very rewarding; -a perfect match that still makes me smile every time I put it on.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
KISS – I Was Made For Lovin’ You
I’m not gonna lie, KISS is not a band I had listened to before playing I Was Made For Lovin’ You. And, the song was a lot softer than I was expecting… based on the appearance of the band!
I was pleasantly surprised by this experience. The song was OK (KISS fans are shouting at the page no doubt!), and the Beat Saber experience was fun.
I wouldn’t pick this over the others but if you love the song, I suspect you’ll love this.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐★★
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army is loved by many, and the Beat Saber conversion should offer their fans something special to play in VR land.
The arena has the feel of one of their Music videos and the game itself leans on the song’s riff extensively.
Sadly, the block pattern that follows the riff feels a little repetitive throughout the verse.
Also, the experience feels simpler than other songs, and that may be down to the strong riff and its dominance over other sound patterns in the song.
I suspect, if you’re a fan of The White Stripes and Seven Nation Army, this Beat Saber offering may feel fantastic.
I wasn’t blown away, but the song itself played a part.
-And that’s why I mentioned at the top, that I’d share my opinion on the song because that will have a bearing on my overall perception.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐★★
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Beat Saber Rock Mixtape)
Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit is a 90’s classic and back in the day, I could dig it.
Over time, maybe due to overexposure, it has lost some of its magic. But that doesn’t change the fact that its inclusion in Beat Saber’s Rock Mixtape is a real treat.
This song is actually my third favourite:
- Free Bird
- Sweet Child O’Mine
- Smells Like Teen Spirit
The blocks feel intuitive, the challenge is fun, and the experience makes you wanna go again.
One of the great things about the Beat Saber Rock Mixtape is the high quality of the songs available. -I’m guessing they cost a pretty penny to licence, and I knew from the off, I had to show my appreciation by purchasing them.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐★
Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’Mine (Beat Saber Rock Mixtape)
Guns N’ Roses’ Sweet Child O’Mine was much better than anticipated.
I like the song (it is a classic after all), but it’s not something I would Call-In to request from a Radio DJ.
That said, in Beat Saber, I play this song over and over. In fact, this may get more playtime than Free Bird.
-It’s the whole package; the block timing and positioning, the shapes, the dances, and the poses it makes you pull.
There’s also the fun and funky challenges, the sliding blocks, and the rewarding feeling of making it to the end.
Sweet Child O’Mine on Beat Saber is fantastic, awesome, and epic.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Foo Fighters – The Pretender
Foo Fighters‘ The Pretender brings the Beat Saber Rock Mixtape to an end, and it’s a very decent effort.
While the Foo Fighters aren’t a band I’d personally listen to, I don’t mind their music and actually think they fit quite well here in VR land.
The fact is, even with the songs I don’t personally love, I’d still play them because they’re all better than most of the other stuff available on Beat Saber.
And that’s the reason I’ve taken the time to write this review; for people like me!
In conclusion, this song isn’t a personal favourite, but the Beat Saber experience is fun and more than enough for me to slap a 3/5 star rating on it.
Old Cynic’s Grade: ⭐⭐⭐★★
Beat Saber Rock Mixtape (Meta Quest 2)
All of the songs in Beat Saber’s Rock Mixtape appear to share the same stage and background, although they all use it in their own unique ways.
Free Bird, in my view, does it the best.
Also, all of these songs are heavy on the shoulders, so warm up!
Finally, I hope to see more “classic” music on Beat Saber in the future, because they really do bring the whole experience to life.
Please take my grades with a pinch of salt, -they simply represent my 2c.
Keep Reading? More Meta Quest:
➤ Meta Quest 2 Review
➤
➤ Golf+ Meta Quest Review
➤ The Thrill of the Fight Review
➤ Cook-Out Meta Quest Review
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