Tim Schafer's "Brutal Legend" Unveiled.
Brutal Legend - Will This Game Rock?


5 points for being by Tim "Grim Fandango" Schafer.

Another 3 points for concept, particularly a game about HEAVY METAL.

One point for Jack Black (Mr. "School of Rock" himself) as the voice of roadie Eddie Riggs.

+1 Bonus point for the 4-man cleave and general wanton violence of the trailer.

And another bonus point for using "The Mob Rules" theme for the background, which was also featured in the 1981 cult-classic animated film, "Heavy Metal."

It looks like we've gone up to eleven, here. SERIOUS needle-burying on the rock-o-meter.

For some extra goodness, here's an excerpt from the announcement by Tim himself:

' “I… am… IRON… MAN,” it growled. And then one of the most famous riffs in all of rock grabbed me by the collar, dragged me up a steep stairway, twirled me over its head, and tossed me down the stairs. And I loved it.

That was the first time I heard Heavy Metal. It was big, loud, powerful, threatening, and weird. Everything I secretly hoped to be as a teenager. Growing up in a small town, looking at the same old things every day--the kids you know in school, the teachers, the streets, your room—you start to wonder, “Is this really all there is?” And Heavy Metal, just like fantasy, science fiction, and video games, says, “No. There are worlds out there that you can’t even imagine.” And one of those worlds is exactly what we’re building for this game.

“Of course,” you exclaim, slapping your forehead. “A Heavy Metal game. Why didn’t I think of that? In fact, why aren’t ALL games exactly like this?” And it’s a good question. Why aren’t all games Brütal Legend? They should be. But they’re not, and I think part of the reason is that publishers fear the Legend. You’d be surprised how many of them asked us to change the music to something more innocuous. One of them asked, “Does the main character have to be a roadie?” '

There's no denying, of course, the fact that the proof will be in the final gameplay, and this could be nothing more than a God of War wannabe. But... I somehow doubt it. I can't wait for more details.

UPDATE: Random Gamer added a forum post about this, because I was too lazy to do it myself.

Labels: Mainstream Games

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