Rocksmith: The Cure – 3-Song Pack

Rocksmith: The Cure – 3-Song Pack is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for the music video game Rocksmith, released in 2013. This compilation features three iconic songs by the British rock band The Cure, including ‘Just Like Heaven,’ ‘Lovesong,’ and ‘The End of the World.’ Each track is enhanced with authentic tones, allowing players to learn and play along with the guitar, bass, or rhythm parts using the game’s interactive note-matching system. Designed for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, this pack offers fans of The Cure and aspiring musicians a chance to master these classic tunes in a dynamic, game-based learning environment.

Rocksmith: The Cure – 3-Song Pack: A Deep Dive into a Gothic Rock Masterpiece

Introduction: The Legacy of a Gothic Rock DLC

The Rocksmith: The Cure – 3-Song Pack (2013) stands as a fascinating artifact in the history of music-based gaming—a bridge between the raw, emotional power of The Cure’s gothic rock and the interactive, skill-building mechanics of Rocksmith. Released during the golden age of rhythm game DLC, this pack offered players the chance to learn three iconic tracks from one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era. Yet, beyond its surface-level appeal as a simple song bundle, this DLC encapsulates the broader evolution of Rocksmith as a platform, the challenges of licensing in digital music games, and the enduring allure of The Cure’s discography.

This review will dissect the pack’s development, gameplay mechanics, artistic fidelity, and its troubled legacy—including its eventual delisting from digital storefronts. By examining its place in gaming history, we can better understand how Rocksmith transformed from a novel experiment into a cultural phenomenon, and how The Cure’s music, with its melancholic yet anthemic qualities, found a second life in the hands of aspiring guitarists.

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Development History & Context: Ubisoft’s Gambit in the Rhythm Game Wars

The Rise of Rocksmith and the DLC Model

Rocksmith (2011) emerged at a pivotal moment in the rhythm game genre. Following the decline of Guitar Hero and Rock Band—victims of market saturation and plastic instrument fatigue—Ubisoft San Francisco sought to revitalize the concept by leveraging real guitars. Unlike its predecessors, Rocksmith promised genuine musical education, using a proprietary cable to convert any electric guitar into a controller. This innovation positioned it as both a game and a learning tool, appealing to casual players and serious musicians alike.

By 2013, Rocksmith had established a robust DLC ecosystem, with weekly song packs becoming a cornerstone of its post-launch strategy. The Cure 3-Song Pack, released on March 19, 2013, was part of this expansion, arriving alongside other notable packs like The Rolling Stones and The Black Keys. Ubisoft’s approach was deliberate: curate a mix of classic and contemporary acts to ensure broad appeal while maintaining the game’s educational credibility.

Technological Constraints and Authenticity

One of the defining challenges of Rocksmith’s DLC was balancing authenticity with playability. The Cure’s music, characterized by Robert Smith’s jangly guitar work, intricate basslines, and atmospheric textures, presented a unique hurdle. Unlike the power chords of rock or the shredding of metal, The Cure’s songs required nuanced arrangements to translate effectively into Rocksmith’s note-tracking system.

• Tone Replication: Each song in the pack included “new authentic tones,” a feature Ubisoft emphasized to ensure the in-game sound matched The Cure’s studio recordings. This was achieved through meticulous audio engineering, capturing the band’s signature chorus-laden guitars and reverb-drenched bass.
• Charting Complexity: The DLC’s arrangements were praised for their accuracy, particularly in songs like Lovesong, where the bassline’s syncopated rhythm demanded precision. However, some players noted minor discrepancies in the tablature, a common issue in early Rocksmith DLC due to the manual transcription process.

The Gaming Landscape in 2013

The Cure Pack arrived during a transitional period for music games:
– Rock Band 3 (2010) had introduced pro-mode instruments, but Harmonix’s focus had shifted to Dance Central.
– Guitar Hero was on hiatus after Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (2010).
– Rocksmith was the sole major contender in the “real instrument” space, though it had yet to achieve mainstream dominance.

Ubisoft’s marketing positioned the Cure Pack as a nostalgic draw for older players while also appealing to younger audiences discovering the band’s influence on modern alternative rock. The $7.99 price point (or $2.99 per song) was standard for the era, though some fans criticized the lack of deeper cuts from The Cure’s extensive catalog.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: The Cure’s Music as an Emotional Journey

The Songs: A Triptych of Love, Loss, and Longing

While Rocksmith lacks a traditional narrative, the Cure Pack’s tracklist forms a thematic arc that mirrors the band’s lyrical preoccupations:

1. “Just Like Heaven” (1987)

   • Theme: Ethereal romance, fleeting happiness.
   • Musical Analysis: The song’s arpeggiated intro and chorus-driven climax make it a standout in Rocksmith. The lead guitar chart requires players to master hammer-ons and pull-offs, while the rhythm section emphasizes strumming patterns that mimic the original’s dreamy quality.
   • Cultural Impact: A defining track of the 1980s alternative scene, later covered by artists like Dynamo and Katie Melua.

2. “Lovesong” (1989)

   • Theme: Devotion, vulnerability.
   • Musical Analysis: The bassline (played by Simon Gallup) is the song’s backbone, with a syncopated groove that challenges beginners. The lead guitar features a tremolo-picked section, a technique rarely highlighted in Rocksmith at the time.
   • Legacy: Written as a wedding gift for Robert Smith’s then-future wife, it became one of The Cure’s most-covered songs, including a famous rendition by Adele.

3. “The End of the World” (2004)

   • Theme: Apocalyptic despair, existential dread.
   • Musical Analysis: The drop D tuning for bass creates a heavier, more ominous tone, contrasting with the brighter Just Like Heaven. The lead guitar chart includes slides and bends that evoke the song’s melancholic atmosphere.
   • Context: From The Cure’s eponymous 2004 album, this track represented the band’s later-era sound, blending gothic rock with modern production.

The Absence of Narrative: Music as the Story

Unlike narrative-driven games, Rocksmith’s “story” is the player’s journey from novice to proficient guitarist. The Cure Pack enhances this by:
– Emotional Resonance: The songs’ themes of love and loss provide motivational weight—players aren’t just learning notes; they’re embodying the emotions behind them.
– Progression as a Metaphor: Mastering Lovesong’s bassline or Just Like Heaven’s arpeggios mirrors the persistence required in real relationships, reinforcing The Cure’s lyrical motifs.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: Learning The Cure’s Sound

Core Gameplay Loop: From Notes to Mastery

Rocksmith’s gameplay revolves around dynamic difficulty, where the game adjusts the complexity of the note charts based on the player’s performance. The Cure Pack leverages this system effectively, though with some idiosyncrasies:

• Lead/Rhythm/Bass Charts:

  • Just Like Heaven: The lead chart is the most rewarding, with its ascending riff requiring precise fretboard navigation.
  • Lovesong: The bass chart is the highlight, teaching players finger independence and rhythmic discipline.
  • The End of the World: The rhythm chart is deceptively simple, focusing on muted strumming to replicate the song’s brooding tone.

• Tone System: Each song includes custom tones that replicate The Cure’s studio sound. For example:

  • Just Like Heaven uses a bright, chorus-heavy tone to mimic Robert Smith’s Rickenbacker 330.
  • Lovesong employs a cleaner, more sustained tone to emphasize the song’s melodic bass.

Innovations and Flaws

Strengths:
✅ Accurate Transcriptions: The charts closely follow the original recordings, a rarity in early music games.
✅ Bass Emphasis: The Cure’s music is bass-driven, and Rocksmith’s charts reflect this, offering a rare spotlight for bassists.
✅ Replayability: The dynamic difficulty ensures that players of all skill levels can engage with the songs.

Weaknesses:
❌ Lack of Advanced Techniques: Unlike metal or prog-rock DLC, The Cure’s songs don’t utilize tapping, sweeping, or complex solos, limiting technical growth.
❌ Tuning Limitations: The End of the World’s drop D bass requires players to retune, which could be cumbersome for beginners.
❌ No Vocals: While Rocksmith was never a singing game, the absence of lyrics (even as an optional overlay) diminishes the full-band experience.

UI and Progression

The Cure Pack integrates seamlessly into Rocksmith’s menu system, with no unique UI elements. However, the score attack mode and master mode (which removes note hints) add longevity for players seeking perfection.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: Capturing The Cure’s Aesthetic

Visual Design: Minimalism Over Spectacle

Rocksmith’s visual presentation has always been functional rather than flashy, and the Cure Pack adheres to this philosophy:
– Note Highway: The standard Rocksmith interface, with scrolling notes and fretboard visuals, remains unchanged.
– Backgrounds: The game uses abstract, colorful visualizers rather than themed backdrops, missing an opportunity to evoke The Cure’s gothic, surreal imagery (e.g., Disintegration-era aesthetics).

Sound Design: Authenticity Above All

The pack’s greatest strength lies in its audio fidelity:
– Master Tracks: The songs use official studio recordings, ensuring no compromises in quality.
– Tone Matching: The amp and pedal simulations are remarkably close to The Cure’s live sound, particularly the flanger and delay effects on Just Like Heaven.
– Mixing: The instrument separation is excellent, allowing players to hear their mistakes clearly—a critical feature for learning.

Atmosphere: The Power of Melancholy

While Rocksmith lacks narrative world-building, the Cure Pack evokes mood through music:
– Just Like Heaven’s uplifting yet bittersweet tone creates a sense of nostalgic joy.
– Lovesong’s slow, methodical bass instills a meditative focus.
– The End of the World’s dark, droning guitars convey existential unease.

This emotional range makes the pack more than just a technical exercise—it’s an immersive experience in The Cure’s sonic universe.

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Reception & Legacy: A Pack Caught in the Tides of Time

Initial Reception: Praise with Reservations

Upon release, the Cure Pack received positive but measured feedback:
– Fan Reactions: Players praised the song selection and bass charts but expressed disappointment over the lack of deeper cuts (e.g., “Disintegration,” “Friday I’m in Love”).
– Critical Consensus: Reviewers at The Riff Repeater highlighted the fun factor of Just Like Heaven and the technical challenge of Lovesong’s bassline.

However, the pack suffered from two major issues:
1. Delisting Controversy: By 2023, the songs were removed from digital storefronts due to expired licensing agreements, a common fate for Rocksmith’s early DLC.
2. Steam DRM Issues: A 2025 Steam update caused the songs to disappear from players’ libraries, sparking outrage in the Rocksmith community.

The Broader Impact: A Cautionary Tale for Music Games

The Cure Pack’s delisting underscores the fragility of digital music licensing:
– Ubisoft’s Shift to Rocksmith+: The company’s pivot to the subscription-based Rocksmith+ (2021) rendered many Rocksmith 2014 DLC packs obsolete.
– Player Backlash: The loss of purchased content led to refund demands and community petitions, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of digital ownership.

Legacy: A Niche but Beloved Relic

Despite its troubles, the Cure Pack remains a cult favorite among Rocksmith enthusiasts:
– Bassists’ Delight: The Lovesong* and The End of the World bass charts are frequently cited as **some of the best in the game.
– Nostalgia Factor: For fans of 1980s alternative rock, the pack serves as a time capsule of The Cure’s golden era.
– Educational Value: The songs’ relative simplicity makes them ideal for intermediate players transitioning from basic chords to lead techniques.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Essential Piece of Rocksmith History

The Rocksmith: The Cure – 3-Song Pack is a microcosm of the rhythm game genre’s strengths and weaknesses. It succeeds as a faithful adaptation of The Cure’s music, offering engaging gameplay and emotional depth, yet it falters due to licensing limitations and technical oversights.

Final Verdict: 8/10 – A Must-Play for Fans, a Cautionary Tale for the Industry

✅ Pros:
– Excellent song selection that captures The Cure’s essence.
– Outstanding bass charts that teach fundamental techniques.
– Authentic tones that honor the original recordings.

❌ Cons:
– Delisted and unavailable, rendering it a lost artifact for new players.
– Lacks advanced guitar techniques, limiting long-term skill growth.
– No visual or narrative enhancements to complement the music.

Where It Stands in Gaming History

The Cure Pack is more than just DLC—it’s a testament to the power of music in games. It proves that rhythm games can be both fun and educational, and that licensing challenges remain the Achilles’ heel of digital music preservation.

For those who owned it, the pack is a cherished memory; for those who missed it, it’s a reminder of the ephemeral nature of digital media. In the grand tapestry of Rocksmith’s legacy, The Cure’s three songs stand as a bittersweet symphony—beautiful, fleeting, and unforgettable.

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Final Thought:
“Just like heaven? More like just like a licensing nightmare—but what a glorious nightmare it was.”

Would you have wanted more Cure songs in Rocksmith? Sound off in the comments! 🎸