[Timgt5]

Brutal Legend
Released: October 13, 2009
Developer: Double Fine
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Type: Third Person Action/Adventure/with RTS
Genre: Heavy Metal Based Fantasy
Players: Single Player, and Multiplayer online
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Rating: M (mature)

Legendary game designer Tim Schaffer has crafted an interesting and unusual action game. Brutal Legend looked intriguing as it took shape. When it was announced that Jack Black would be the staring voice, the game world sat up and took notice. So what would the world be like if all those old 70’s and 80’s album covers sprang to life, read on.

Highs: Very creative concept, cleverly written story with great dialogue, solid graphics, unique use of real time strategy, awesome sound track, lots of humor, Jack Black!

Lows: tricky controls, occasionally sluggish responses, RTS elements a bit difficult to master occasional environment “pop in”

The Plot: As our game opens we meet Eddie Riggs (Jack Black) a grizzled roadie, who has seen it all in the world of Rock. Eddie is a legend in the roadie biz, a man who could build or fix anything. Eddie is currently employed by one of those snotty “Nu-Metal” bands and laments the passing of real Heavy Metal. One night as they perform one of the members of the band jump on top of an old stage prop (after Eddie warned them not too) and nearly falls to his death. Eddie swiftly rescues the lad, but then the prop collapses on top of him, unleashing the giant chrome beast of “Omagodden” (read that real carefully and you will get a good laugh) Omagodden, kills the band but spares the life of the unconscious Eddie.

Eddie awakes in a bizarre fantasy world based on old school heavy metal. He is immediately attacked by some very nasty looking dudes and must defend himself, he acquires a massive axe and unleashes power from his Gibson flying V guitar (Clementine) that can paralyze his enemies. He then meets the beautiful Ophelia and finds out she is one of a small band of resistance fighters, battling the oppressive rule of the demon emperor Dioviculous and his human lackey, General Lyonwhite (you 80’s kids out there should get that reference).

The plot is rather unique and very cleverly written to incorporate elements of Metal into the fantasy based storyline. There are some interesting plot twists and outrageous characters based on rock icons to meet.

The Game Play: There are basically two game play elements at work here, “hack and slash” and real time strategy (RTS)

Hack N Slash- Eddie is a big dude who wields a mean axe. In addition to the axe Eddie carries a guitar, which can paralyze or burn enemies. Eddie can also team up with various non player characters for additional offensive moves. Being a mechanical genius, Eddie can assemble various vehicles from ancient relics and drive them around. The primary one he uses being, “The Deuce” a 2 seat hot rod. Eddie can also use his guitar to unlock various additional abilities over time. To do this he has to find ancient “rock tabslabs” He then enters a Guitar-Hero sequence in which he must master the solo to unlock the enhanced power. One solo summons his ride, one “melts faces” another calls forth the ancient fan spirits and still another summons the “Headbangers” (I will get to that one in a minute) Its somewhat of a simplistic version of God of War and for the most part all of this works pretty well, but occasionally the controls feel a bit sluggish. The game itself is open world style like Oblivion. In addition to completing the main missions, Eddie can earn extra “fire tributes” by helping out other citizens.

RTS: The game’s other major element is Real Time Strategy. Early on in the game Eddie rescues a group of enslaved young men, who are compelled to mine minerals using only their heads (Hence they are “headbangers”!) He then forms an Army he calls “Ironheade” who act as his personal guard. In addition to these guys Eddie acquires the services of crossbow wielding young ladies and motorcycle riders that act as healing and recovery units.

The actual battles take place in the form of a rock show. Eddie and his allies build a stage, and merchandise booths. Eddie then deploys his “troops” He can issue various commands while he battles as well. The whole thing takes some practice and requires some deft multitasking. The most fun is unleashing the special attacks of “Ironheade”, upon command if there are sufficient numbers of them, they can form a “mosh pit” and annihilate any enemies in their way.

I was not particularly interested in the multiplayer mode, so I did not bother with it.

Graphics and Sound: The games design is rather unique; it’s a bit cartoonish, but pretty in its own way. The world is expansive with bizarre relics that litter the landscape. The animations are quite good and fun to watch. The only major flaws are the occasional object pop in, something that really should not happen in modern games.

The sound effects are good here as well. There is a satisfying “thunk” with the axe. The voice work by Jack Black, as Eddie is wonderful. Black is perfectly cast here. Eddie’s arch enemy Diovicolus is played by veteran character actor, Tim Curry another perfect choice. The game’s universe is populated by some legendary Rock stars such as Lemmy Kilmeister (lead singer for Motorhead); Rob Halford (Judas Priest) plays Lyonwhite, Ozzy Osbourne, as the Guardian of Metal and metal goddess Lita Ford. All are perfectly cast and give fine performances. The dialogue is pretty snappy here as Jack Black was given a lot of room to improvise and he gets to say some really funny things.

As with a game based on Heavy Metal, there is a massive soundtrack of legendary rock songs by Judas Priest, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. I hope they make an album from it, as it would be great workout music.

Kids Corner: The game is M rated for violence, blood, rough language (this is Jack Black we are talking about) and suggestiveness. EA does allow the player the option of censoring some of the more violent scenes and bad language. I would not recommend this one for kids.

In Summary: Brutal Legend is a real treat for metal fans who happen to be gamers. Its game play elements are uniquely used here and overall despite its flaws is a lot of fun. I hope more publishers find really creative ideas like this and bring them to life.

check out the trailer below!

[Timgt5]

[Aishu]

ive played the demo and i was very impressed with the way they made a world based on heavy metal album covers!

im not a metal kinda guy, but i might get it someday for the artistry alone.plus its hilarious.

i lol'ed at him praying the gods of hell on that walker.