Brütal Legend Review

Brütal Legend‘s simplistic character models and functional textures can’t rival the majority of today’s Unreal Engine 3-driven eye candy; aside from some well-executed facial animations, the visuals draw little attention. The soundtrack however is so central to the game’s theme that it could really live or die by it, and thankfully, this is where the weight of EA’s financial clout really pays dividends.

You will be using those wings principally to navigate the battle-ground, but it doesn't hurt that they look pretty damned awesome too.

Featuring 108 tracks, the vast majority of which are licensed, Brütal Legend’s soundtrack is so metal it’s in danger of rusting away under the sweat from its headband-covered brow. Almost every possible sub-genre is represented, from the early forefathers such as Black Sabbath and Judas Priest to the obligatory thrash of Slayer and Megadeth. It pushes the limits of operatic lunacy with Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, all the way through to the angry industrial rock of KMFDM. It keeps an ear to the ground of the contemporary with the progressive majesty of Mastodon, and provides comic relief in the from of Black’s own Tenacious D. Whether events call for a sorrowful acoustic solo or an apocalyptic Armageddon, the variety of the soundtrack constantly obliges.

Riggs knocks this particular bit of apparatus together in a matter of moments. He's a real pro.

Jack Black and Tim Curry hold the wonderfully delivered if slightly predictable story together until its conclusion, though at only eight hours or so it’s left to the unexpectedly interesting multiplayer to add longevity rather than the repetitive side-missions and fetch-quests. Much like the game’s primary inspiration, Techno Soft’s pioneering Mega Drive hit Herzog Zwei, Brütal Legend’s focus on the lighter side of the RTS may deter hardcore players, but this is not merely an RTS game or a hack and slash game, or even a game about metal – it’s a Tim Schafer game. And that’s a seal of quality few games can boast.