Brutal Legend Demo Impression

Tim Schafer, creative director of Psychonauts, is the mastermind behind the upcoming video game Brutal Legend and similarities can definitely be seen through the art style.  I recently had some hands-on time with the demo which consists of the opening level.  After completing a few playthroughs, I must say that the game is shaping up to be an extremely unique and entertaining experience.

The demo starts off with Eddie Riggs (Jack Black), the greatest roadie in the Biz, finishing up the final touches on his recently smashed guitar.  It is easy to see that Eddie has lost all faith in metal as the band he works for puts on a concert performing their version of metal.  After a tragic accident, Riggs is crushed by falling debris and his freshly spilled blood awakens the beast on stage, which ends the lives of the band members in the middle of their gig.  When Eddie regains consciousness he is laying on the altar surrounded by red clothed demons.  At this point the player is given control of Eddie and presented with an axe as their first weapon.  This serves as the main close quarters attack. 

Tapping the attack button executes quick strikes and punches , whereas holding the attack button sends Eddie lunging through the air bringing down his axe upon his opponents.  Both result in an adequate amount of bloodshed and the occasional beheadings.  Once the player has dispatched the druids with the basic hack and slash maneuvers, a new weapon is bestowed upon them. A powerful guitar named Clementine allows for ranged attacks to be performed. 

Once again, tapping and holding the attack button allow for varied attacks.  A quick tap electrocutes enemies and holding the attack button strikes a deadly chord that sends enemies flying upward in a burst of fire.  Now that Eddie is fully equipped his move list is expanded once again to allow him to escape the enclosed altar by using the Earthshaker.

The remainder of the demo continues to show off the metal universe that Eddie Riggs has been tossed into.  This ranges from a guitar solo mini game to summon the Druid Plow to a massive, epic boss fight.  With a basic combat system with plenty of room to expand on, a 64-square-kilometer open metal themed world, and online multiplayer, this game combines enough symbolic and uncommon characteristics that you just might find it worth picking up for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 when it is released on October 13, 2009.