Lets get one thing straight right now. This game is full of studs, and spikes. Now if you have a phobia of these fashion items. Stay clear of this game. For the 97% of you that aren't, continue reading.
Brutal legend is about Eddie Riggs, voiced by the one and only Jack Black. Eddie is a heavy metal fanatic and professional roadie, we find him at a concert helping out a misinformed group of so-called "heavy metal rockers". Eddie is flattened by his own backdrop, which causes his own blood to trickle onto his metallic belt buckle, which causes a stir and summons a demon God. Happens to the best of us. Then the game begins. At the start of the game, it introduces you to two of the three main features of the game. The combat, and the driving. Combat is just simple, easy to get to grips with button combinations. You have your axe (not a "guitar", a real axe), and your guitar (otherwise known as, an axe). Your axe is your smiter, whereas your guitar is your magical staff, firing lightning and fire pyrotechnics. Your guitar is also used to play solos to acquire helpful aids, such as you're car, animals you've slain in battle, and to bring to life giant stone relics that have been buried underground for many years. It's pretty handy. Every time you shred your guitar, you go into small Quick Time Events. You kind of feel that there wasn't much point to putting them in there, such small solos, and its always the same QTE for each selected solo. However, there is a sense that every time you need to use your god-like guitar powers, despite how little you have to do, there's still a small sense of enjoyment in it.
Now to Eddies car, hot rod actually. Named The Deuce. This is your noble steed which you can call upon at any time via your first learnt guitar solo. (Refer to previous paragraph) Like in so many other adventure titles, walking can grow tiresome, a horse is great and everything, but a hot rod is quite clearly a speedier approach to crossing those grassy plains. It's not just used for travel though, putting a hot rod into the game, only to be used for transport would be a waste! Why not show it off? There are numerous racing secondary missions, none of which are particularly difficult, but it gives you a reason for upgrading your stallion.
Another major feature in Brutal Legend is the Overlord style use of RTS. In this you control roadies, hot chicks and numerous other vital members of your entourage. It's a well thought out addition to the game and is the main focus of the "stage battles". Stage battles are, in a nut-shell, a hands-on RTS battle. You still have complete control over Eddie, you can go out and attack the enemies, but without the help of your rock warriors behind you, in the later battles, you're going to fall hard. You have your fans to use as currency to keep your warriors stocked up, as well as to upgrade them and your rock stage. The aim is to keep your rock stage alive until you smite the final goon. This also transfers over to the multiplayer. Where you can choose from a rather small selection of three factions, each with their own bonuses. It doesn't really feel like Brutal Legend really needed a multiplayer mode, if you've bought the game, then I'm quite certain it wasn't because of its choice to have online play. Nonetheless, there's no reason they shouldn't put it into the game. However, I wouldn't be surprised if half the people that bought the game don't even think to touch it unless they're going for some extra gamerscore.
Brutal Legends story is clearly using its comedy as a foundation, and a good thing too as these comedy beams are what will keep you playing. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with any of the gameplay, but the laughs are what keep this game fun. Jack Black does a great job, and his transformation into Eddie Riggs is a blessing from the metal gods. The music on show is great, even for those who aren't as acquainted to it won't be reaching for the mute button. It's a great selection of songs that will make anyone want to sprout shoulder length hair and swing it back and forth until their face goes red.
Brutal Legend is unfortunately a bit on the short side. Playing the secondary missions are recommended, not only to increase the span of the game, but also because they're a pleasant change of pace from the main story. Download the demo now on Xbox Live if you're unsure, and if you enjoy that, then Brutal Legend won't disappoint.
