When Brutal Legend popped up on the release schedule, I didn’t think there could be a more apt game to appeal to my long-haired demographic, and even more fortuitously – due to the postal strike throwing everything up in arms – a copy meandered its way to my humble abode on Wednesday. The perfect mid-week treat.
Brutal Legend is an action adventure title in which Tenacious musician Jack Black plays ‘Eddie Riggs’. Eddie – the world’s greatest roadie – is injured during a gig when part of the stage falls on him, dripping blood onto his belt buckle (which is really an amulet for Ormagöden, The Fire Beast, Cremator of the Sky and Destroyer of the Ancient World). This act causes the beast to rise up and transport Eddie to another dimension – a heavy metal world full of demons and monsters.
Pitching headlong into the tutorial, Eddie soon acquires ‘The Separator’- an axe used to hack up wave after wave of foes. Quickly following that is ‘Clementine’- an ethereal guitar possessed with lightning and the power of fire; and last but not least, ‘The Deuce’ – Eddie’s trusty set of wheels. After completion of the initial level (which mainly focuses on basic driving proficiency and ground combat), the story opens up into the open world, traditionally dotted with quests and opportunities for exploration.
It’s the landscape and visual theme that make the biggest impression. Designer Tim Schafer talked extensively of drawing inspiration from Heavy Metal album covers, and he couldn’t have been more accurate in that description. The colourful environment is littered with giant swords, shields, engines and skulls, whilst massive structures tower over the refreshingly diverse horizon. Thunderous mountains form in the distance, volcanoes bellow into the clouds, it’s a fantasy world that couldn’t be better suited. More interestingly, it stands up as an original landscape, sucking you further into the narrative.
After driving around the world to gain ‘lighter tributes’ by freeing dragons tied up with leather straps, it was time to head to ‘Blade Henge’ to continue the story. We soon learn that the few remaining humans in this landscape have formed a resistance movement, led by Dave Mustaine lookalike Lars Halford. Their war on the demons has become a futile one. The majority of the people have been enslaved, the men confined to the depths of the mines, and the women to the rather saucy ‘Pleasure tower’. So it comes to pass that you’ll be in charge of freeing the townsmen (head bangers) from the mines, and begin to assemble a human army. And then save the women, of course.
Combat dynamics work well, with small elements of strategy incorporated into the design. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell which angle you’re being attacked from, but the left trigger allows you to focus and strafe, helping with the congested enemies. Various combos can be strung together using both the guitar and axe, but the fighting still feels a little basic without the repertoire of moves unlocked later in the game. Unlock currency is handled via ‘Lighter Tributes’, which are obtained in combat, exploration and stunt jumps, and exchanged by paying a visit to the prince of darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne.
Outside of combat, and apart from the most awesome soundtrack, the biggest attraction in Brutal Legend is the humorous script. It’s been years for me since a game had so many laugh out loud moments, from the genius implementation of parental controls to the basics of the opening menu sequence, it oozes humour. My initial two hours was littered with giggles reacting to a story that has some perfectly scripted voice acting throughout the cast, and in conclusion, first impressions are green lights across the board.
The story completion percentage seems to be flying past at a slightly alarming rate, which hopefully will be padded out by side quests, but the opening few hours have been relentlessly entertaining. So far, well worth the wait.
Im a long haired, metal loving, rock n roll, plastic instrument talented gamer! I've worked in games retail for 7 years and have been caught up in all the politics associated with it. My neighbour loves my plastic drum kit and when i start singing.... "
2 Comments
I definitely agree with the laugh out loud bit, this game has had me chuckling away pretty much since the start! Good first impressions Phil! Nice work!
Thanks! The best bit is it’s been consistent throughout. I’ve loved the sly one liners that the characters use to bounce off eachother. It’s really quick and sharp comedy which is able to avoid the pitfalls of other titles which can try too hard to entertain. It’s a simple concept with grade A talent, and i think it’s the simplicity which keeps the gameplay light yet entertaining.