Jack Black Gets Brutal!

Game: Brütal Legend
Available Platforms: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360

After kicking ass as an awesome kung fu panda Jack Black enters the video gaming world as a metal band roadie, Eddie Riggs. The story begins in present day where Eddie is a roadie for the world’s worst heavy metal band and is unimpressed with modern day music. Suddenly, something goes horribly wrong and the stage collapses. The legendary roadie is crushed under the head of a statue of a giant fire breathing demon. Eddie wakes up in a strange world where the sound of metal music powers everything from hotrods to full scale armies. He soon learns that humans are slaves to the glam metal ruler of the mines and pleasure tower, General Lionwhyte, and joints a band of rebels to help free them. The best part is Eddie is armed only with a giant double-headed axe, and his classic Gibson flying V electric guitar that blows people up!

Beginning with graphics, the look of the fantasy heavy metal world has been perfectly created. Based on classic heavy metal album covers from the 80’s, dotted around the landscape there are metal-related statues, dragons, giant metallic structures, and a cliff made of Marshal Amplifiers! There are different factions you meet during the game created based on classic metal (the good guys), glam metal, emo, and finally an S&M/nightmarish army in the later stages. Every faction has weapons and powers tailored for their style of music. For example, Eddie’s Classic metal army has regular infantry which kill people by head-banging and knocking enemies to the ground using their heads alone.

The game-play itself has an open world element about it. You are allowed to explore freely across the areas of the world currently unlocked and you are provided with an easy to read map which shows all available missions. The missions split into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary missions are the main storyline and completing them progresses you further through the game. Secondary missions are small, standalone missions which mainly involve a skirmish between small groups of opposing forces. There is one or two comedy missions such as you have to race to get the kegs of beer to the beach before they get warm. These missions, when completed, give you a little extra experience that you can use to improve your car or combat attacks. At intervals during the game there are primary missions that involve you taking part in a full-scale battle between your army and an opposing force. You start off with a heavy metal stage and you are able to call out units to fight when you have enough energy (called fans, of course). This is the most challenging and strategic part of the game.

The element that takes this game to the next level is the music. Each mission has its own classic metal soundtrack from Ozzy Osbourne to Whitesnake. When not in a mission you are able to drive around in a hotrod called “the deuce” and enjoy a mountain of tracks from its inbuilt radio. Eddie is able to use his flying V guitar to execute seemingly impossible solos and executing nearby enemies in the process. Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy (mötorhead), Rob Halford (Judas Priest) have provided the voice-overs for some of the key characters. At every possible moment there is a music reference, which makes it perfect for any metal fan.

I have to admit I loved this game. My only negative with the game is there is an option to have the gore on or off. Have it off. I turned it on n all that happens is when you hit an enemy, the floor turns red. The blood doesn’t even leave the bad guy, it just appears! Other than that, it’s one hell of a game. Prepare to throw your horns and go to war shouting, “FOR METAL!”