Brutal Legend
Never underestimate the power of the eyebrow
Can Jack Black's inclusion in a video game be enough to make that game automatically exciting? It can when that game is being crafted by Tim Schafer, and the title in question is Brutal Legend. Knowingly doffing it's (studded) cap to every rock 'n' roll cliche ever, this new action-adventure game (with sandbox and RPG elements) could be one of the best uses of star talent in a game to date - assuming the taster Double Fine and EA recently afforded us is indicative.
Leaping into the role of Eddie (voiced by the enthusiastic Black), a roadie with an outmoded view of the rock world, players will witness an on-stage accident at a gig, which summons a Fire Monster from its talismanic position on Eddie's belt - killing the band before dragging our hero back to the Age of Rock. Schafer's ironic humour and dark wit is present from the off in Black's genuinely funny voice work, while his subtety can also be found in the gameplay itself.
Upon arriving in the Age of Rock, Eddie battles some album cover-esque druids, grabbing a mythical 'axe' which will serve as his melee weapon, while his electric guitar has garnered magical powers in the Age of Rock; delivering ranged attacks formed from spells cast when riffs are played. Fighting off the aforementioned druids, we're immediately given a feel for the third-person combat, which seems to have some variety to it, beyond the constantly entertaining world Double Fine have crafted, right from the weapons, to the enemies through the environments and beyond.
Schafer tells us that the soundtrack hasn't been finalised yet, so he's reticent to jinx his licensing hopes by giving away specifics, however, from what we've heard the songs that will set off the action are appropriately heavy - and combined with Jack Black's involvement it really does look as if players will relish the rock world the veteran designer is building around the player.
Visually, the landscapes we're shown in the Age of Rock are wonderfully over the top, the terrain a mix of dramatic rocks and mountains, combined with pyrotechnics, blood-red skies, skulls, and all manner of other melodramatic touches. As Schafer explains, his team has set out to make every scene in the game look like it could be a genuine album cover. Aesthetically, I think it's fair to say I haven't come across a game that looks quite like Brutal Legend does. Nice touches like a cameo from Motorhead's Lemmy further show Schafer's appreciation for his theme, too.
Using a combination of the axe and the guitar in combat can also be combined with environmental interaction; rocks and skulls collapsing or being sliced off as part of action that seems to be fairly high tempo. Having dispensed with some fairly nasty Battle Nuns, we commandeer a giant beast with legs like hideous boney stalks, and we continue our journey into this strange new world. The Age of Metal is in the midst of a tussle against a brutal dictator, and as you move through the land you'll be able to liberate the oppressed denizens of the world to join your rock army.
As you progress you'll collect relics - rock memorabilia - that will serve you in gameplay. Cars are just one example of this, and we soon find ourselves with a girl by our side racing through crowds of scattering druids in a newly-built Hot Rod. As you can probably tell, realism isn't the aim here - instead, the action-adventure gameplay will offer pure outlandish escapism in line with the music that inspires it.
Tackling a giant worm monster at Bladehenge, we meet resistance leader Lars (who looks a little like that spindly chap from The Darkness), Lars needs a little assistance in inspiring resistance in the Age of Rock - and it is here that resourceful roadie Eddie can play his part. While Eddie will have set tasks to complete in the land, there is a large open-world element to Brutal Legend, half of the 64 square-kilometre world available to explore from the get-go. Your car will come in handy for traversing the world, and you'll even have a GTA-esque in-vehicle radio to keep you entertained along the way.
In larger battles, you'll be able to issue commands to your army of 'headbangers', who you'll emaciate and inspire through the power of pure rock. Add Schafer's unique plot, vehicular combat, varied gameplay and a theme that can't help but induce smiles, and it seems hard to see where Brutal Legend can go wrong. Indeed, in an age of unemployment and everyday worries of the dreadfully mundane, now seems like the perfect time for Brutal Legend and a journey to the Age of Rock.
Brutal Legend will melt the faces off the PS3 and Xbox 360 come the 16th of Rocktober.
Comments
Do you think the name eddie came from iron maidens mascot eddie?
legal???????????
First name of main character came from Eddie the Head and the last name from the guy who designed the Iron Maiden mascot, Derek Riggs.
It looks well good