Video Game Review – Tim Schafer's Brutal Legend
Heavy Metal Fantasy Starring Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy
Nov 7, 2009
Metal fans and followers of reknowned industry legend Tim Schafer should hold onto their hats – Brutal Legend is a wild ride and an extremely hard act to follow.
With a voice acting cast featuring comedian/actor Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, and Lemmy Kilmeister (who plays the appropriately named Kill Master), Brutal Legend succeeds in staying true to the fanbase in providing a real heavy metal experience for fans of metal, fantasy, and good games in general.
Gameplay, Controls, Plot, and Storytelling Elements
Brutal Legend's opening cinematic sets the scene for the entire game, introducing the character of Eddie Riggs (Jack Black) – a sarcastic yet extremely capable heavy metal roadie who is disillusioned by the state of "metal" today. Crushed by an ill-fated collapse of the set, Eddie is revived by Ormagoden, Cremator of the Sky, in order to bring metal back to the land and to crush all other false idols.
Gameplay in Brutal Legend is also extremely varied. The player is presented with the option of combat on foot with either your axe (the Separator), or your guitar (Clementine) – with several combination attacks involving sequenced button presses that will inflict maximum damage. Throughout the game Riggs can also play solos (similar to songs played on an Ocarina in Nintendo's Ocarina of Time) that can summon wild beasts, raise relics out of the earth, and melt the faces off enemies.
For players who don't think that is quite enough, there's also the option of driving a handbuilt roadster that features machine guns and missile launchers.
Heavy Metal Soundtrack and Multiplayer DLC
With a supporting soundtrack including bands such as Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Children of Bodom, Dethklok, Motorhead, Testament, and dozens more – Brutal Legend is an epic game that feels like it was truly made for fans of music and of excellent fantasy storytelling alike.
DLC was recently released on both Xbox Live Arcade as well as Playstation Network entitled Tears of the Hextadon, an inexpensive little addition that brings two great maps into the multiplayer experience of Brutal Legend, satisfying any metal junkies who haven't quite gotten their fix from the single-player experience yet.
Overall, Brutal Legend is an excellent, unforgettable game that will without a doubt become a cult classic in years following.
Other Articles Related to Gaming and Video Games
Those interested in next-gen roleplaying games might do well to read up on Fallout 3, or perhaps take a look at science fiction RPG Mass Effect (soon to be followed by a sequel). Others interested in picking up a real guitar might be interested in reading an article on Easy Metal Bass Songs for Beginners.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
