We’ve all seen Brutal Legend. We know that it’s starring Jack Black, that it’s helmed by the most creative and hilarious person in the gaming industry today, and we know that it’s about metal. As someone who bought three plus copies of Psychonauts for friends and family, my general reaction to this game so far has been, “of course I’m going to buy it, and it looks neat, so I hope it’s good”.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you… there is now good reason to be excited. EA released a couple demo codes this past week, to allow a slice of gamers to get a look at the next huge autumn game. I sat down with this beauty and loved every single minute of it.

AWESOME.

It starts with legendary roadie Eddie Riggs. He has constructed a massive stage set for a “metal” band that really puts that title to shame. A series of unfortunate choices later, the band’s stupidity has led to Eddie being crushed under the giant stone stage monster he has created. His blood drips into his (truly metal) belt buckle, which transports him to another world (and also creates a monster that destroys everyone in the band, thank goodness). In this decidedly more Brutal world, he is attacked by evil monks, who he manages to fend off with the help of an axe, and an “axe” (melee and magic weapons, respectively). As luck would have it, he runs into a hot metal chick that helps him navigate the level. There is fighting, driving (he assembles a car, no problem — roadies can build anything, and he’s the best), and it all culminates with a boss battle against a creature that looks quite similar to… well… it seems pretty obvious but I’ll let people draw their own conclusions.

If this sounds like your run-of-the-mill niche game, you’d better find your brain and think again. First of all, the dialog is pure Tim Schafer; for a game so badass you will definitely find the time to laugh that ass off. Music fans will especially get all of the tongue-in-cheek subtlety (it doesn’t even have to be metal music, which I hate), but even if you just appreciate clever dialog you’ll find humor here. Second, Double Fine has taken stale game mechanics and made them interesting again. In order to get the parts to assemble the car, you need to play a series of power-up notes, sort of like a Guitar Hero mini-game. Only one was available at the time, but there was a whole wheel of spaces that I’m really looking forward to earning in the full version. Also, progressing in the level involves smashing through walls with the power of rock, which is 100% more interesting than just walking through a door. And please do not get me started on the absolutely amazing menu screen. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE MENU SCREEN, WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THIS GAME.

If you haven’t given Brutal Legend a thought beyond, “yeah I’ll check it out”, please reconsider. It truly is (if the demo is any indication) THE game to buy in 2009. Who knows, I may end up buying three copies again…

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