Platform: PS3 Publisher: EA Developer: Double Fine Productions Rating: R 18 Players: Singleplayer/Multiplayer Genre: Action/Adventure Release Date: 13th October, 2009

Website: www.brutallegend.com

Editor’s Note: This is a preview of the unfinished code for Brutal Legend. A full review of the retail version will be conducted at a later date.

Brutal Legend is mother f*ckin INSANE!! Well, that’s on first impressions, anyway. It’s a game that combines the pure wickedness of heavy metal music with in-your-face profanity, blood, gore and lots of violence. So, in a word, perfect! If you’ve ever seen Metalocalypse (which you should if you haven’t), then you’ll know exactly what type of ‘insanity’ we’re talking about here.

The main character in the game is Eddie who is voiced by the equally insane and ridiculously talented Jack Black – who, by the way, is fantastic. There just couldn’t be a better voice for Eddie. Eddie is a roadie who has outgrown the band he is now employed to look after. He doesn’t seem to fit in with the ‘modern’ age of ‘heavy metal’ and longs for the days of old where ‘real’ music didn’t involve rap in a metal song. During a freak accident on stage, Eddie is suddenly transported to a world (much like a fantasy-type heavy metal version of hell) where he’s suddenly back in the saddle again, doing things he always dreamed of including saving luscious looking metal-loving chicks from beasts of all descriptions. And of course, the adventure wouldn’t be complete without an axe – well, both kinds of axe, a guitar and a real axe that has magical powers.

The game is third-person view so you’re basically running around like a madman, lobbing heads and limbs off evil looking nun-chicks and formidable beasts to get to your next destination. You’ll spend the majority of  your time fighting things as you go and working in conjunction with ‘allies’ (who you meet up with throughout the game). Ophelia is the first of these that you meet.

Your allies will also come in handy during fights when you’re able to use special ‘co-op’ moves much like a fighting combination. By triggering the triangle key on the PS3 at special intervals during the fight, you can execute ‘special moves’ with your allies to combat opponents. Fighting combinations are also acquired as you continue through the game where you’re able to combine your weapons in multiple, high-powered attack moves. You’ll often be in situations where there are several opponents attacking you.

Brutal Legend also incorporates puzzles you’ll need to solve to advance and you’ll be required to figure these out to obtain special weapons. You’ll also have use of a vehicle (once you complete the first puzzle) which is nicknamed the “Druid Plow”. It’s insane in every way, but that’s what makes this game so much fun!

Brutal Legend will more than likely get an R18 rating in New Zealand due to the excessive use of violence and profanity. In the version we played, the option to turn either of these filters on or off was offered but we’re not sure if this will be included in the final retail version. If you want the full experience of Brutal Legend, it’s far more fun having both turned right the way up but if you’re playing around sensitive ears and young’uns, the filter is a good idea. It’s called Brutal Legend for a reason.

We’re really hyped for this game and if first impressions are anything to go by, action/adventure fans will absolutely love it. Check your stores for this title on the 13th of October. Game Culture will be reviewing the full game later on this month.