With E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) happening, my whole twitter feed has been bombarded with an assault of video game related news these last few days. From the praises of fans to the surprises of trailers dropping, this is truly a momentous occasion for all gamers. I myself couldn’t even escape the hype train of E3, so why don’t I why don’t I do something a little different. Don’t worry if you think I was going to miss out on the metal, after all I did say “Remembering, The Best Metal Video Game” in the title after all.
The game I’m talking about was probably the riskiest project to take on. A world inspired from everything metal, from the designs to the characters. Iconic metal figures were brought in to lend their voices for roles based on them. This game also might have the best soundtrack in any video game in history that became my playlist for 2 years. Finally, last but not least, the game’s lead was… Jack Black!
If you have not figured it out yet, I’m talking about “Brütal Legend!”
Created by fellow metalhead Tim Schafer of Double Fine Productions, you play as Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black), who is "the world's best roadie" for "the world's worst 'heavy metal' band", Kabbage Boy. During a gig for Kabbage Boy, Eddie is crushed by falling scenery while trying to save a member of the band, and awakens in a world that resembles a twisted collage of metal records. With little breathing time, the game begins. Guitar solos that casts spells. Chopping fiendish creatures with a literal axe. Exploring locations like Razor Fields, Bladehenge, and Sea of Black Tears while Iced Earth is playing in the background. It was like witnessing a Frank Frazetta art piece in motion. This game… was amazing.
Can’t forget the awesome well thought characters that all fit a role in the “Metal Genre Tree.” Also the cameos from legends like, Rob Halford, Lemmy Kilmister, Lita Ford, Tim Curry, and Ozzy Osbourne! There was nothing more I would wanted from a game.
With such a strong concept and a team that poured so much effort into it, you think there would be a sequel for it right? I know I do!
After it was released in 2009, Double Fine believed they were given the go-ahead to develop a sequel to Brütal Legend, and had invested a great deal of development time towards this, but were later told by EA that it was cancelled.
Did you hear a break in the distance? That was my heart 8 years ago.
HOWEVER as of 2013, Schafer is still interested in a sequel to Brütal Legend, but would require appropriate funding and resources to make it happen as an independent developer. To follow that up, “Brutal Legend will eventually get a sequel” Tim Schafer of developer Double Fine said June 13 during an appearance at E3 2017. That was last year! There is hope for the legend to continue, and if you haven’t already played it… play “Brutal Legend!”
Now that I got that off my chest… time to check out the other releases today.