Brutal Legend
I
think when reviewing this game it’s a must that you demonstrate your “hard core” bonafides by pointing out that Tim Schafer makes unique, wonderful yet criminally under-selling games. All of that is true, but I firmly believe that at least half the reviewers saying this haven’t actually played a Tim Schafer game. All you need to know is his games are funny and good. Just like Brutal Legend. It’s brilliant, imaginative, loving, funny and more. It’s an achievement! It’s an RTS! An action shooter! A music rhythm game! It’s all part of a rock and roll fantasy — so why do I generally not like it?
Don’t get me wrong. You’ll enjoy the game for it’s sheer wacky brilliance. You play Jack Black using a different name, he’s a roadie for a pathetic excuse for a metal band and yearns for something more. More happens as after an accident he finds himself in a twisted heavy metal paradise. From there he must free head banging miners and other strangeness. Guided and challenged by cameos from Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie, Brutal Legend spares no expense when it comes to Metal in jokes. It’s the closest thing to a Judas Priest album cover you can get.
This rock and roll fantasy is fairly tame by M-standards. Parents just need to check out the descriptors and go from there. Lyrics? Check. Sexy stuff? Check. Loud Music? Check. All the trappings of a VH1 Behind the Music with tongue firmly in one cheek or another. Got a metal head gamer? Get this game. If that’s offensive, your kids are too young. If it’s too loud, you’re too old.
So, given that I own at least one album from the following – Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Metallica, Judas Priest, AC/DC.and more – and given I like Tim Schafer’s work, why don’t I like the game? The answer is simple, despite the brilliance of the game’s concept and the cleverness of the execution, taking this many genres and mashing them together makes for more chaos and less fun. There’s a real feeling that you must play to see more — but getting up the energy to do that always seems to feel like work.
Feeling like work isn’t very metal, is it? Still, the game is worth checking out for the sheer brilliance alone. I think it’s safe for any metal loving teen – despite the ESRB’s M.
Rock on little 13-year old dudes!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
The Tim Schafer game I really liked was Psychonauts. –Cary
December 4th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I think I’m going to have to skip this one. Though I am a hardcore rock fan, I’m not really into the animated style of it. Over-the-top is not my thing in games or movies.
December 5th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I know what you mean Cross. But I’m the opposite. I love the aesthetic and think they nailed the balance between METAL and silly. The design is inspired and so is the script and voice work. My problem is that the game plays fast and furious and is trying to hard to be too many genres. Off hand the game tries to be a: RTS, Action, 3D Platformer, RPG. Too much for me.
But it IS the most metal thing I’ve seen since Metalocolypes. Which isn’t for every taste (and is made for grown-ups and also is hilarious).