Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Doors Song Pack

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Doors Song Pack is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for the music video game Rocksmith 2014. It includes three iconic songs by The Doors—’Light My Fire’, ‘Riders on the Storm’, and ‘Roadhouse Blues’—each featuring authentic tones and gameplay tailored for learning and mastering the guitar. This pack allows players to practice and perform these classic tracks using the game’s innovative learning system.

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Doors Song Pack: Review

Introduction

The Doors’ music is a cornerstone of psychedelic rock, a labyrinth of organ-driven grooves, poetic nihilism, and Jim Morrison’s haunting baritone. Ubisoft’s Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Doors Song Pack is not merely a DLC expansion but a cultural artifact—a digital bridge between rock history and interactive learning. Released on February 25, 2014, this DLC transforms three of the band’s most iconic tracks into playable guitar and bass experiences, complete with meticulously recreated tones. This review dissects how Ubisoft – San Francisco captured the essence of The Doors’ legacy, the technological craft behind its execution, and its significance within both gaming and music pedagogy. While lacking traditional narrative, the pack’s power lies in its transmission of the band’s thematic DNA: rebellion, darkness, and transcendence, rendered playable through the innovative Rocksmith framework.

Development History & Context

Ubisoft – San Francisco inherited a formidable legacy with the Rocksmith series. Following the 2011 original, the 2014 overhaul redefined music gaming by using real guitars via USB cables, replacing plastic peripherals. The Doors Song Pack emerged from Ubisoft’s ambitious DLC strategy, which capitalized on licensed artists to expand Rocksmith 2014’s catalog. Technologically, it operated within constraints: DirectX 9-era audio processing, cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Mac, PlayStation/Xbox), and the challenge of replicating vintage gear without physical amp sims. The band’s licensing was also notable—The Doors had been part of Harmonix’s Rock Band in 2010, indicating a shift in publishers’ willingness to license classic rock for rhythm games. Ubisoft’s vision was clear: authenticity mattered. This wasn’t just note-matching; it was about capturing Robby Krieger’s flamenco-influenced guitar tones, Ray Manzarek’s organ textures, and John Densmore’s jazz-inflected percussion. The timing (early 2014) coincided with Rocksmith 2014’s peak momentum, capitalizing on renewed interest in skill-based music games amid the decline of plastic-instrument titles.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Though devoid of explicit storytelling, the pack embodies The Doors’ core narratives. Each song becomes a thematic vignette:
– “Light My Fire”: Epic in scope, its seven-minute structure mirrors Morrison’s lyrical obsession with time, desire, and spiritual awakening. The gameplay forces players to navigate the iconic organ intro, extended guitar solos, and dynamic shifts—from gentle verses to explosive crescendos. This mirrors the song’s thematic arc: restraint erupting into primal energy.
– “Riders on the Storm”: A gothic ballad of existential dread, its gameplay emphasizes atmosphere. The slow, repetitive bassline evokes a funeral march, while the sustained organ notes create a claustrophobic tension. Players must embody the song’s moodiness, with sparse note placement mirroring Morrison’s spoken-word verses.
– “Roadhouse Blues”: An anthem of gritty rebellion, its riff-driven structure invites raw, percussive playing. The gameplay prioritizes rhythm and swagger, translating the song’s barroom energy into tactile satisfaction.

The absence of rhythm guitar parts (“Riders on the Storm” and “Roadhouse Blues” lack rhythm tracks) shifts focus to lead/bass, forcing players into roles akin to Krieger’s solos or Manzarek’s organ fills. This is the pack’s narrative trick: by omitting parts, it highlights the band’s interdependence, emphasizing how Morrison’s vocals, Krieger’s guitar, and Manzarek’s organ weave a collective identity.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Doors Song Pack leverages Rocksmith 2014’s core mechanics with band-specific refinements:
– Note Recognition & Difficulty: Songs are arranged across difficulty tiers, from simplified basslines to full guitar solos. “Light My Fire’s” organ intro, playable on guitar, exemplifies Ubisoft’s commitment to authenticity, though it may frustrate beginners.
– Authentic Tones: Each song features meticulously crafted tones—Krieger’s Fender Stratocaster through a Showman amp for “Roadhouse Blues,” Manzarek’s Vox Continental organ for “Light My Fire.” This was a technical triumph, achieved via convolution reverb and impulse responses capturing vintage gear.
– Riff Repeater & Master Mode: Tools like Riff Repeater isolate challenging sections (e.g., “Light My Fire’s” solo), while Master Mode tests memory by removing on-screen notes—ideal for advanced players.
– UI Adaptations: The minimalist UI complements The Doors’ aesthetic, with dark palettes and sans-serif fonts evoking their album art. Leaderboards add competitive replayability, but the absence of multiplayer co-op limits collaborative potential.

Flaws include the omission of vocal harmonies, reducing The Doors to instrumentals, and the lack of bass-only arrangements for “Riders on the Storm,” which originally features a prominent bassline.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Atmosphere & Visuals: The pack’s visual language mirrors The Doors’ mystique. Stage designs are sparse, with moody lighting (rain for “Riders on the Storm,” amber hues for “Roadhouse Blues”) and minimalist crowd silhouettes. The lack of flashy effects prioritizes the music itself, letting Manzarek’s organ or Krieger’s guitar solos dominate the sensory experience.

Sound Design: This is the pack’s triumph. Ubisoft captured The Doors’ studio magic:
– “Light My Fire”: The extended mix includes the full seven-minute runtime, with the organ intro and solos rendered with valve-amp warmth.
– “Riders on the Storm”: The reverb-drenched piano and Morrison’s baritone are recreated with uncanny clarity, evoking the song’s thunderstorm atmosphere.
– “Roadhouse Blues”: The raw, live feel is emphasized through slight tape hiss and dynamic range compression, mirroring the Morrison Hotel album’s grit.

The absence of crowd noise or studio chatter maintains the songs’ timelessness, making them feel both archival and immediate. This sonic authenticity transforms the game into a virtual jukebox of 1960s counter-culture.

Reception & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Reception: Upon release, the pack earned praise for its tonal fidelity, with outlets like The Riff Repeater calling it “the closest most will get to Krieger’s rig.” However, it was overshadowed by the base game’s critical acclaim. Commercially, it performed moderately, with Steam records showing “less than 20,000” owners, reflecting niche appeal.

Legacy & Influence: The Doors Song Pack cemented Rocksmith’s credibility among musicians, proving games could replicate vintage tones with nuance. It inspired Ubisoft’s DLC model, leading to sequels like the 2015 Doors Song Pack II (“L.A. Woman,” “People Are Strange”) and similar artist-focused expansions (Aerosmith, Coldplay). Culturally, it preserved The Doors’ legacy for new generations, introducing Morrison’s poetry to Gen Z musicians. While its direct gameplay innovations were modest, it exemplified how rhythm games could bridge entertainment and education—a precursor to titles like Synth Riders.

Conclusion

Rocksmith: All-new 2014 Edition – The Doors Song Pack is a masterclass in licensed adaptation, transforming three timeless songs into interactive musical experiences. Its strengths lie in its unwavering commitment to authenticity, from Robby Krieger’s guitar tones to the thematic weight of each track. While its narrative is conveyed through music rather than plot, the pack immerses players in The Doors’ world of darkness and rebellion. Technical limitations (e.g., no vocals) and niche appeal temper its impact, but its legacy endures: it proved that video games could preserve rock history with integrity, offering not just fun, but a gateway to understanding musical artistry. For aspiring musicians and Doors acolytes alike, this DLC remains an essential artifact—a digital key to Morrison’s “other side.”