As much as I dislike using the word “metal” as an adjective, I simply cannot think of a better way to describe Brutal Legend. How else do you describe a game set in a fantasy world inspired by classic heavy metal album art? With it’s impressive 107-song soundtrack, cameos from heavy metal icons such as Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister, it’s impossible to describe Brutal Legend as anything but metal.

Being a Tim Schafer game, it’s pretty much a given that the writing is top notch. The metal references and inside jokes are good for a laugh here and there. All of the dialogue is very well written, and expertly preformed. Jack Black is Eddie Riggs. He fits the part perfectly, and his enthusiastic performance is really what makes the character so lovable.

The variety of metal cameos are just great. Lemmy Kilmister plays a badass bass player with a sweet hat (so, he pretty much plays himself), and the dialogue between him and Eddie is some of the funniest in the game. Ozzy Osbourne also does a great job as the “guardian of metal, ” but I would have liked to see a bit more of him.

From the moment you step into the shoes of Eddie Riggs, you are immersed in all things metal. Trapped in an alternate fantasy universe where demons control the earth and most of the human population toils their lives away in slavery, Eddie is tasked with leading Ironheade, the human resistance (the extra “e” so you know they mean business). He recruits the head-bangers, builds the stages, directs the battles, protects the tour bus, and kicks plenty of demon ass. In short, he’s the road crew for the resistance.

The gameplay is a pretty mixed bag. Split between open world exploration, 3rd person action and, most notably real-time strategy, Brutal Legend tries to be a lot of different things all at once which hurts the overall experience. It’s not that any of the specific gameplay styles are bad, but none of them are great, either. It feels like Tim Schafer was trying just a bit too hard to keep Brutal from being pigeonholed.

The main focus of Brutal Legend’s many gameplay styles are the explosive stage battles, the backdrop of which are huge rock concerts. The stage is your base and where all of your units spawn. If your stage is destroyed, it’s game over. Your resources come in the form of fan geysers spread throughout the map. Playing a “fan tribute” solo near one of these creates a “merch booth” on the geyser and directs the fans (resources) to your stage. The more merch booths you have, the faster your fanbase grows.

Ironheade’s metal themed units range from the basic head-bangin’ infantry to the mighty fire breathing Metal Beast. What’s unique about Brutal Legend’s stage battles is the interaction with each individual unit. Each unit has a unique attack that they can preform with Eddie. For example, when Eddie teams up with the Head Bangers, they form a mosh pit around him, knocking enemies out of the way. These “double team” attacks are what make the stage battles really fun.

One of the best things about Brutal Legend is it’s setting. Every area of the game looks like it was ripped from a classic metal album cover. Fire rains from the sky, jagged mountains reach up toward space, and monuments to the great titans of metal are scattered across the land. Everything is on a very over-the-top, epic scale.

While the combat is pretty basic, it still manages to be fun. The “A” button attacks with the battle axe, “B” blocks and “X” attacks with the guitar. The variety comes in the form of the guitar attacks, which electrify or burn enemies from afar. There are a few guitar/battle axe combo moves, which help keep the combat interesting. Sadly, you can only decapitate so many emo kids before things start to feel repetitive.

As I played through, I never really felt like I was doing anything new or original. After a while it feels like the same old hack and slash gameplay that’s been done a thousand times before, but with a heavy metal paint job. Sure, the RTS elements are fun, but with only a handful of stage battles, by the time I really fell into a groove and started to kick some ass, the game was over. It doesn’t make the game any less fun, just a little disappointing.

This brings me to my biggest complaint with Brutal Legend. Even though I completed about a third of the side missions, unlocked most of the hidden songs and searched the land for various other collectibles,  I reached the end credits within roughly 5 hours.  I imagine a 100% play through would take maybe only an hour or two more. Even if there is some after game content, this is simply too short for a single player campaign.

The high point of the game is the music itself. The soundtrack boasts an epic 107 tracks from every sub-genre of metal, (and believe me, there are a lot of sub-genres of metal) everything from Def Leopard to Dethklok.  If you’re a metal head, your favorite band is probably represented in Brutal’s epic soundtrack (unless you’re an Iron Maiden fan, that is.) At the start of the game, about 35% of the songs are unlocked. While most of the tracks are unlocked as you play through the story, there are 23 songs hidden in relics throughout the world known as buried metal.

The best way to experience Brutal’s epic soundtrack is through the “Mouth of Metal,” a playlist-like upgrade for the Deuce that lets you select a specific song, create a custom playlist, and sort the music in a variety of ways, such as genre and alignment. What I really love about the song selection isn’t necessarily the tracks themselves, but how many of the songs tie directly into the theme of the current mission.

As you drive the deuce through a burning arena and meteors fall all around you, “Through the Fire and the Flames”  by Dragonforce blasts from Eddie’s speakers. It really ties the whole experience together. A game about metal, with a great metal soundtrack, and songs that suit the action during every mission.

Brutal Legend is an enjoyable game, if not an entirely unique experience. The writing is wickedly funny, and the inside jokes and metal references make it a must play for any metal head. But at only 5 hours or so, It’s not exactly worth the $60 price tag.

"This Sword On My Head Means I'm Invisible"

On a very special thirty-sixth episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, we get the crew together once again to discuss the games we have been playing, the latest news, a movie about LARPing, and announce the final in our series of PAX Pack giveaways.

The crew this week consists of Jesse, Jonah, Brittany, Luke and Nate. Jesse has finally finished up Batman: Arkham Asylum and has a thing or two to say about it (don’t worry, it’s spoiler free). Luke gives us the rundown on the metaltastic Brutal Legend while Brittany has been relaxing with Harvest Moon: The Tree of Tranquility. Nate finally got around to finishing Mass Effect and we all have a good laugh about space marines and their stupid haircuts.

Jesse has also spent some time with the often over looked Breath of Fire series in the form of the PS1 classic, Breath of Fire IV, and Jonah has spent some time playing the Diablo-clone, Titan Quest.

In “Let’s Play Together”, Jesse and Jonah retell their experiences playing the DJ Hero demo at their local game store. The busting of phat beats was involved, as was a display setup with almost no volume and a turntable at a 45 degree angle.

The news has fewer subjects, but a little more focus as we discuss Square’s announcement of their final PS2 product in Japan. The full track list for Lego Rock Band has been released and favorite picks are discussed. There is even a new entry in Jesse’s “Mega Man News Roundup”.

Then it is movie time, in which we have watched “Monster Camp”. If you are unfamiliar, it is a documentary about LARPers. It was filmed locally (Seattle area) and is now streamable on Netflix. We suggest you check out the hobby of some very interesting super nerds. And when I say super nerds, you know I mean that from the heart and am not just being a jackass. I leave that to Nate.

All this and more on episode #36 of Barrel Roll, “Ernest Goes to Monster Camp”.

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Outro Music – “Fortuna (Star Fox)” by The OneUps

Lego Rock Band Track List

It’s that time of year again! The fourth quarter of 2009 is already upon us and we at WingDamage are here to keep you in the loop about some of the notable games coming out for each platform. Below you’ll find some of our most anticipated titles for the Xbox 360. Multi-platform titles have also been re-posted here for your convenience.

Forza 3

“The racing sim capable of giving the Gran Turismo franchise something to worry about returns. Turn 10 Studios takes the realism up another notch, making us all wonder if we’re playing a game or actually driving a car.” -Jesse

Left 4 Dead 2

“Let’s face it zombies always make for a fun time. The original featured some of the best multiplayer fun of this generation and the sequel looks to expand and refine the experience.” -Dave

DJ Hero

“Over 100 individual songs used to make over 90 never before heard mixes created by legendary artists including DJ Shadow and Daft Punk. DJ Hero is a unique take on the stagnant rhythm genre that even has Paul Oakenfold’s approval.” -Jesse

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

“This is the sequel to the best FPS of this generation. Infinity Ward have proven themselves to be the absolute masters of the FPS genre and their latest COD raises the bar even higher. Tight, focused, intense, and still somehow completely over the top. This is where all your friends will be come November.” -Dave

Brutal Legend

“It is not often that a genre bending game pulls off more than one aspect of the game they are trying to create. Even with it’s impressive pedigree, I was skeptical of Brutal Legend. That is, until I played the demo at PAX. The humor works. The combat and driving work. I have officially joined the screaming fanboy mass eagerly awaiting this release.” -Jonah

Alpha Protocol

“A spy RPG using the dialogue and combat systems from Mass Effect? Yes, please. And if anyone can pull it off, it’s Obsidian, the studio behind Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2.” -Luke

Borderlands

“Diablo-esque loot drops? Check. Crazy awesome cell-shaded art style? Check. Over 600,000 unique weapons? Hell yes.” -Luke

Dragon Age Origins

“Bioware is one of the top RPG developers in the world, maybe even the universe, so any time they announce a new game people should take notice. But when they announce a spiritual successor to their classic PC title “Baldur’s Gate” RPG fans should celebrate.” -Dave

Rock Band: LEGO

“Yes, I realize I am a sucker for wanting this game. I am looking forward to the new songs, the fact that your Lego guys battle space monsters while you rock out, and that it will be one more game to play when my niece and nephew come over. They can’t get enough of those crazy Lego games.” -Jonah

Let us know which Xbox 360 games YOU are looking forward to!

It’s that time of year again! The fourth quarter of 2009 is already upon us and we at WingDamage are here to keep you in the loop about some of the notable games coming out for each platform. Below you’ll find some of our most anticipated titles for the Playstation 3. Multi-platform titles have also been reposted here for your convenience.

Uncharted 2

“The first Uncharted game was the game I throw in to show off the PS3. The sequel looks even better, with bigger action scenes, more explosions, and MULTIPLAYER! This could go down as one of the defining games of this generation.” -Dave

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time

“For some reason, most games take themselves way too seriously these days. Everything has to be dark and gritty. They try to add humor sometimes, but nearly always fail. Thank God the creators of Ratchet and Clank get it. Their games are fun to play, have bright and imaginative worlds and characters, and best of all, are genuinely funny. I can’t wait too see what they’ve got up their sleeve this time.” -Jonah

Demon’s Souls

“A Hardcore classic action RPG that is unlike anything else on the PS3. There are tons of customization options for you to create the character you want. The combat looks to be visceral and satisfying. This one should satisfy the ultra hardcore RPG geek who is looking for a brutal challenge.” -Dave

Borderlands

“Diablo-esque loot drops? Check. Crazy awesome cell-shaded art style? Check. Over 600,000 unique weapons? Hell yes.” -Luke

Brutal Legend

“It is not often that a genre bending game pulls off more than one aspect of the game they are trying to create. Even with it’s impressive pedigree, I was skeptical of Brutal Legend. That is, until I played the demo at PAX. The humor works. The combat and driving work. I have officially joined the screaming fanboy mass eagerly awaiting this release.” -Jonah

Alpha Protocol

“A spy RPG using the dialogue and combat systems from Mass Effect? Yes, please. And if anyone can pull it off, it’s Obsidian, the studio behind Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2.” -Luke

Dragon Age Origins

“Bioware is one of the top RPG developers in the world, maybe even the universe, so any time they announce a new game people should take notice. But when they announce a spiritual successor to their classic PC title “Baldur’s Gate” RPG fans should celebrate.” -Dave

DJ Hero

“Over 100 individual songs used to make over 90 never before heard mixes created by legendary artists including DJ Shadow and Daft Punk. DJ Hero is a unique take on the stagnant rhythm genre that even has Paul Oakenfold’s approval.” -Jesse

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

“This is the sequel to the best FPS of this generation. Infinity Ward have proven themselves to be the absolute masters of the FPS genre and their latest COD raises the bar even higher. Tight, focused, intense, and still somehow completely over the top. This is where all your friends will be come November.” -Dave

Rock Band: LEGO

“Yes, I realize I am a sucker for wanting this game. I am looking forward to the new songs, the fact that your Lego guys battle space monsters while you rock out, and that it will be one more game to play when my niece and nephew come over. They can’t get enough of those crazy Lego games.” -Jonah

Let us know which PS3 games YOU are looking forward to!