Game is due October 13

new story video from gamtrailers.com

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/48683.html

thanks double fine!

definatly one of my awatied games. I check doublefine's website every week to read tim's hilarious posts.

Activision is suing Double Fine to block teh release of Brutal Legend:
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090604/ap_on_hi_te/us_games_brutal_legend_lawsuit
looks like I'm buying prototype used.

Activision is suing Double Fine to block teh release of Brutal Legend:
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090604/ap_on_hi_te/us_games_brutal_legend_lawsuit
looks like I'm buying prototype used.

Read about that a little while ago. What a dick move by Activision.

They drop the game, because they think it wont turn into a franchise they can exploit every year with a new release/spin-off. And now that the game is getting some hype, they want it back.

Read about that a little while ago. What a dick move by Activision.

They drop the game, because they think it wont turn into a franchise they can exploit every year with a new release/spin-off. And now that the game is getting some hype, they want it back.

indeed that's the #1 reason they decided not to support it, tim schaefer doesn't do sequels and has never deleievred two games two years in a row. and now they will cry until some hapless judge hears him. As I recall the earlier reports had activision threatening to sue and now they have. At least EA is backing them up and can throw just as many lawyers at the case as Activsion.

indeed that's the #1 reason they decided not to support it, tim schaefer doesn't do sequels and has never deleievred two games two years in a row. and now they will cry until some hapless judge hears him. As I recall the earlier reports had activision threatening to sue and now they have. At least EA is backing them up and can throw just as many lawyers at the case as Activsion.

Hopefully, Activision is just reaching and the case will be dismissed.

Poor Tim, first Psychonauts gets rave reviews but nobody buys it; and now this.

Sounds like Karma. I'm guessing Activision wants a quick settlement... I would think EA would be smart enough to only pick up the game if the rights were not in question.

looks like I'm buying prototype used.
Haha Activision stole the Jerk Of The Industry Crown from EA and is rubbing it in their face. I blame Vivendi, oh and of course Bush.

Sounds like Karma. I'm guessing Activision wants a quick settlement... I would think EA would be smart enough to only pick up the game if the rights were not in question.

The rights never were in question. Activision dropped it and washed their hands of it not thinking it would sell and knowing they couldn't milk it as a franchise. EA picked it up and gave it the funding and the development time and the press it needed. Now that it's in the public eye and has a good chance to do well Activision has realized their mistake and wants in on the action. It's typical ******** Activision. I really never thought I'd see the day when EA became the biggest publisher of great new original IP but indeed they have and Activision is worse than EA ever was.

The rights never were in question. Activision dropped it and washed their hands of it not thinking it would sell and knowing they couldn't milk it as a franchise. EA picked it up and gave it the funding and the development time and the press it needed. Now that it's in the public eye and has a good chance to do well Activision has realized their mistake and wants in on the action. It's typical ******** Activision. I really never thought I'd see the day when EA became the biggest publisher of great new original IP but indeed they have and Activision is worse than EA ever was.

Wow, you saw the contract? What about the other games they dropped that got picked up by someone else? Was there a lawsuit around those? Activision is the new "Evil Empire," but I'm not going to pretend I'm privy to the business dealings around the game, maybe this has merit, maybe it doesn't.

Tim schaefer responded to teh lawsuit:
"Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it," Schafer said. "Oh great, now Beyoncé is going to sue me too."
http://kotaku.com/5279255/tim-schafer-responds-to-activisions-brutal-legend-lawsuit

Wow, you saw the contract? What about the other games they dropped that got picked up by someone else? Was there a lawsuit around those? Activision is the new "Evil Empire," but I'm not going to pretend I'm privy to the business dealings around the game, maybe this has merit, maybe it doesn't.

What are the other games that Activision dropped that are getting the level of hype and sales potential Brutal Legend is? Do you honestly believe they dropped the title intending to make money on it? If they thought it would make money they would have published the game. They didn't. Now another company has given it the attention it deserved, it's getting a respectable amount of hype, and Activision realize it's worth some money and they want a cut. Corporate greed from the single worst publisher in the industry and nothing more.

Wow, you saw the contract? What about the other games they dropped that got picked up by someone else? Was there a lawsuit around those? Activision is the new "Evil Empire," but I'm not going to pretend I'm privy to the business dealings around the game, maybe this has merit, maybe it doesn't.

everything he stated was stated by Tim Schaefer back when Activision orginally threatened double fine which was when EA picked up the game.

Schaefer is the man for that Beyonce comment. I can't wait for this game, after playing Psychonauts, how can you not eagerly await any Tim Schaefer title?

Schaefer is the man for that Beyonce comment. I can't wait for this game, after playing Psychonauts, how can you not eagerly await any Tim Schaefer title?

I anxiously await even their short flash games because they are all weird funny and professional.

Does his comment spoof on some beyonce song or comment? It's funny by itself, but it sounds like I'm missing something that would probably make it better.

Does his comment spoof on some beyonce song or comment? It's funny by itself, but it sounds like I'm missing something that would probably make it better.

Beyonce has a song called "single ladies" where she says, "if you like it then you should have put a ring on it."

What are the other games that Activision dropped that are getting the level of hype and sales potential Brutal Legend is? Do you honestly believe they dropped the title intending to make money on it? If they thought it would make money they would have published the game. They didn't. Now another company has given it the attention it deserved, it's getting a respectable amount of hype, and Activision realize it's worth some money and they want a cut. Corporate greed from the single worst publisher in the industry and nothing more.

Ghostbusters, 50 Cent, and Riddick were some of the higher profile titles that Activision dropped. It looks like there were over 10 retail games and some XBLA stuff as well.

I think Brutal Legend looks great, but the game has bomb written all over it.

everything he stated was stated by Tim Schaefer back when Activision orginally threatened double fine which was when EA picked up the game.

Well Activision says they own the rights to publish the game. We'll see who is right when the case either gets dismissed as bull, or they have a valid suit.

Well Activision says they own the rights to publish the game. We'll see who is right when the case either gets dismissed as bull, or they have a valid suit.

ha, they lost as soon as teh 50 cent game was successfully released.

So when is this case going before a Judge? GameStop is hawking this game in today's marketing e-mail, and still claiming it is coming on Octember 13th. I don't care if this is the worst game ever, I have to own it because the concept is beyond awesomely geeky. Metal is Forever!

don't you mean ROCKtober 13th?

don't you mean ROCKtober 13th?

Doh, how could I have missed that! I hang my head in shame...:D

Doh, how could I have missed that! I hang my head in shame...:D
haha, it's kind of funny, i actually posted that BEFORE i watched the entire gametrailers video... so then i felt kinda dumb afterwards, cause it pretty much looks like i pulled it from the video, trying to look cool :D

the term rocktober gets thrown around here in colorado, but only when the rockies arent sucking.

haha, it's kind of funny, i actually posted that BEFORE i watched the entire gametrailers video... so then i felt kinda dumb afterwards, cause it pretty much looks like i pulled it from the video, trying to look cool :D

the term rocktober gets thrown around here in colorado, but only when the rockies arent sucking.

Same here in New England, it seems every Rock-Oriented Radio Station overused it to a felonious level in the 80's & 90's; therefore, it has become a bit passe and met with ridicule when used. But in the case of this masterpiece of a brilliant tongue-in-cheek game concept, it is completely appropriate and Dude-ical...:cool::D

Apparently the game was aptly named. It looks like the full on legal dogfight, over the publishing rights, will go down as an all time brutal legend. I wonder how much it will cost to payoff Activision?...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32089430/ns/technology_and_science-games/

Apparently the game was aptly named. It looks like the full on legal dogfight, over the publishing rights, will go down as an all time brutal legend. I wonder how much it will cost to payoff Activision?...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32089430/ns/technology_and_science-games/

activision has little to no claim and only hopes to make EA blink first. They dropped the game and didn't whine about any of the other vivendi exiles getting published.

activision has little to no claim and only hopes to make EA blink first. They dropped the game and didn't whine about any of the other vivendi exiles getting published.

I agree. But if the judge doesn't "Dismiss" it on July 30th, then EA might be forced to "Blink" with a briefcase full of $$$; since they will be about 75 days from scheduled release, and many retailers are already taking pre-orders. Talk about brinkmanship!:eek:

I agree. But if the judge doesn't "Dismiss" it on July 30th, then EA might be forced to "Blink" with a briefcase full of $$$; since they will be about 75 days from scheduled release, and many retailers are already taking pre-orders. Talk about brinkmanship!:eek:

the judge can let the trial go through without blocking the release.

the judge can let the trial go through without blocking the release.

I did not know that. I guess any resulting judgments can be then based on retroactive pro-rated revenue, or some Accounting Legal-ese... "can't we all just get along?..." :D

kotaku says teh LA judge presiding over activision's lawsuit has tentatively denied their request to delay the game. good news.

kotaku says teh LA judge presiding over activision's lawsuit has tentatively denied their request to delay the game. good news.

Hah-hah! *Bitch-Slap!!!*...

Activision is so pathetic. They are like some conceited girl who dumps a guy in high school because she wants a dude with a car, then 4 years later when the dumpee gets out of college and is driving BMW she wants him back because the HS boyfriend is still driving the 10yo Ford Escort. Foresight FAIL!

http://kotaku.com/5331704/brutal-legend-lawsuit-settled-free-to-rock-october

activision and double fine have settled. Brutal legends rocktober release is safe. Though I feel sick thinking double fine may have given money to activision.

pre-ordering from gamestop will nab you a demo on sept. 17th
everyone else will get the same demo sept. 23rd
release date for game is still october 13th for north america, october 16th for europe
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/60048

NONE FOR YOU JAPAN! lol

I don't even want a demo I just want the game a demo will just spoil gags that I'll have to watch twice.

cool (short) vid, and 3 inches of blood on the soundtrack... \m/ \m/

http://g4tv.com/videos/40828/Brutal-Legend-GamesCom-2009-Trailer/

embedded version of above

GrkdLnU5RaY

Anyone getting the "Early" Demo download today? I have the code, but I am at work today. The code flyer says it is being released at 11pm, but all the other marketing material I have seen says 11am (which makes more sense). If anyone downloads it, or at least sees it on XBL, let us know!

Well, I guess I have to answer my own post:

First off, the demo should be retitled "Brutal Beta". It only let me get to the 3rd checkpoint on the first mission. The camera angle function simply stopped working, meh...

It was up an available when I got home at 4pm EST. The open scene is funny, despite the fact it has Jack Black's voice in it. The game is a fairly generic hack-n-slash; however I have never played one at any length, so the "concept" should be enough to keep me from getting bored.

The game looks cool as heck. The cut-scenes are insanely good. The music selection is top-notch. It is chocked full of Metaliscious goodness!

Kind of shocked that there are not more people playing the pre-order demo, figured there would be many posts on this one by now. I don't have the demo yet but look forward to hearing more impressions.

Jason

I long ago decided I'm buying Brutal Legend and have been actively avoiding learning anything more about it to preserve the surprises the story is sure to offer. I slipped up and watched the Giant Bomb Quick Look (http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-brutal-legend-demo/17-1393/) of the demo and it looks as awesome as expected. I think I'll just pass on the demo and wait for the full game next month.

I finally got the demo downloaded, so I am going to give it a go tonight. I have been patiently waiting for Rocktober, but I need a little taste now! I will report back.

anybody know of any pre order deals for this game. This is the only game I am looking forward to this year, so I am gonna probably pre order it.

I know gamestop is offering an in game tenacious d guitar. That is all I have heard so far. is TRU doing a cash card or anything?

So I'm confused what type of game this will actually be. I've read things that make me think its anything from an action/adventure type of game to an RPG to a semi strategy game. Anyone who played the demo have any insight?

I think it will have bits of all those genres. I watched a complete playthrough of the demo and it demonstrates the action adventure gameplay. Later in the game you will be commanding troops. I'm not sure how but I think it will be somewhere between Overlord and Halo Wars. Also, I know you'll grow wings which I think will enable a top down perspective on the action.

The real mystery is the multiplayer. I've heard Tim Schafer say they started working on it before the single player but I have no idea what it'll play like. Brutal Legend will offer many surprises, we can all be sure of that.

The real mystery is the multiplayer. I've heard Tim Schafer say they started working on it before the single player but I have no idea what it'll play like. Brutal Legend will offer many surprises, we can all be sure of that.


It's not really a secret, it just hasn't been getting a lot of attention for some reason. X-play did a preview segment on it and were pretty impressed. You might be able to watch it on their web site.

fyi to all, you can download the demo online and burn it to a dvd.

Played the demo yesterday and it's pretty cool, certainly in 'un-finished' form as there were some hiccups but the game play seems fun and there should be plenty of laughs along the way based upon this short demo (unless you dislike Jack Black of course).

Based upon the demo this is a 'Metal-music' action game, think "Heavy Metal" in game format only it does not take itself too serious.

Jason

So I thought the non-preorder demo was supposed to hit this week?

So I thought the non-preorder demo was supposed to hit this week?

Supposedly today. The "early" demo dropped at 11am, so you might want to check again. Either that or they found all the bugs I mentioned, and are patching it up...:D

Demo just hit.

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ddf0001-0000-4000-8000-0000454188bb?cid=SLink

Thaks for the heads up. I just put it in my que

Something about the combat doesn't feel quite right... but maybe that's because I've been playing lots of Batman Arkham Asylum lately.

Something about the combat doesn't feel quite right... but maybe that's because I've been playing lots of Batman Arkham Asylum lately.

The controls in general felt a little bit "Off". I am hoping this is just a case of a slapped together Beta Demo, and that the final cut will be adjusted, otherwise gameplay might be cumbersome.

Something about the combat doesn't feel quite right... but maybe that's because I've been playing lots of Batman Arkham Asylum lately.Judging by Tim Schaefer's last game (Psychonauts), he's much more about storyline, setting, and character than gameplay.

Played through the demo, and really loved it. I've been underwhelmed by most of the pre-release hype so far, and I wasn't a fan of Psychonauts (the game got in the way of enjoying the story). But this works a lot better. Still don't know what all the "minions" will play like, but that demo showed a big variety of play styles.

But, yes, the basic axe combat isn't anything special. It also feels like it's mapped to the wrong buttons. Hopefully you can change those in the final release.

i'm actually looking forward to get this game should be interesting, plus i can rock out.

Maybe I am crazy but I just do not see how this can be a success. I see the RTS combat stuff, the Hard Rock stuff (Rock has not been mainstream in what 20 years??) and I just cringe.

Its not that I don't want to play it or that I think it will be a bad game... I just don't see this as mainstream in 2009. Its a labor of love for the developer and most labors of love are not commericially successful.

Maybe I am crazy but I just do not see how this can be a success. I see the RTS combat stuff, the Hard Rock stuff (Rock has not been mainstream in what 20 years??) and I just cringe.

Its not that I don't want to play it or that I think it will be a bad game... I just don't see this as mainstream in 2009. Its a labor of love for the developer and most labors of love are not commericially successful.

I don't think this will be a blockbuster commercial success, it is too quirky and derivative. OTOH we now have about a few generations of people who like this Metal niche, who then have put the spark into their kids. I think it will do OK, and be reasonably profitable. We are also cheering for this, because it became an underdog after it got axed (pun intended).

Judging by Tim Schaefer's last game (Psychonauts), he's much more about storyline, setting, and character than gameplay.

I don't know, it's been a while since I've played Psychonauts but I feel like the gameplay and the general controls were a little more solid. Brutal Legend just feels a little too loose I think.

Though I totally agree with your comment that buttons feel like they're mapped wrong.

I'll be picking this up regardless, but it's probably a good thing that I played the demo to temper my expectations a little. The music and the settings so far were great, and I did laugh at it a few times in the demo as well.

Best line so far: ..."I can fix anything, but I can't fix that!!!"...:D

Great demo. Having different powers mapped to there own button and being able to mix them together for combos reminded me of Fable 2. I laughed out loud of couple times. The graphic design and fidelity is excellent. And how bout the menu screen, best menu ever?

In the opening cutscene, I think I caught a Raz Easter egg. Anyone else catch that?

Loved the demo! :cool:

The menu is possibly the greatest thing ever.

Finally got around to the demo last night. While Jack Black is a horrible person and needs to die, his voice may help sell more copies of this game. If having Jack Black helps Brutal Legend make more money, funding Tim Schafer for further game development, then I guess it's an acceptable evil.

The world building is damn good in the game, and the writing is excellent!

I never liked Jack Black until I saw Tenacious D Pick of Destiny (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365830/). I thought his voice acting was great in the demo! Fits the game perfectly and dig the soundtrack so far :cool:

WOW, THE DEMO WAS GREAT! The gameplay was very un-original but the voice acting and story seem like theyre gonna be top notch. I havent giggled like that playing a game in a loooong time.

Great demo. Having different powers mapped to there own button and being able to mix them together for combos reminded me of Fable 2. I laughed out loud of couple times. The graphic design and fidelity is excellent. And how bout the menu screen, best menu ever?

In the opening cutscene, I think I caught a Raz Easter egg. Anyone else catch that?

Raz easte regg? what was that?

I watched my roommate play the demo, he and I had a few good laughs. Will definitely buy the game when it comes out in ROCKtober. It really is ROCKtober for me...got a Dethklok/Mastodon concert that month too. :D

I would agree that the menu is one of the best ever, very creative.

Jason

The demo made this game go to the top of my list. Wow, that was freaking awesome. Smooth as butter, his magical attack powers were impressive and great looking, all around an excellent demo. Can't wait to play the whole game now.

Not many games where you can play a solo on a guitar to shock/stun a person then slice them clean in half with a giant axe.

so you play this game with a guitar controller, or a standard controller? if guitar, are the GH or RB guitars compatible?

I watched my roommate play the demo, he and I had a few good laughs. Will definitely buy the game when it comes out in ROCKtober. It really is ROCKtober for me...got a Dethklok/Mastodon concert that month too. :D

I may be going to that show too. It's this weekend here in Seattle. I've never heard of either of the bands, but I am gonna go to drink, and watch all the teenage angst. should be fun.

so you play this game with a guitar controller, or a standard controller? if guitar, are the GH or RB guitars compatible?

The demo has you playing with the regular controller. The only part where you "solo" (only once in the demo, it lasts a whopping 15 seconds) you simply tap X, B, A buttons at the correct time. This example in the demo is very, very basic, and the solo is not a part of combat.

All of the other moves are done with two buttons, so your guitar attack is one button, where "strumming" just means you hit the button repeatedly, or you can hold it down for another attack.

The axe has it's own button as well, and you can combo axe/guitar attacks.

I played this demo through a couple of times just to see if the excitement I felt on the first pass through held, and it didn't. I'm a big Jack Black fan since his HBO TD days, and thought his voice overs and the dialogue were great. The combat felt too repetitive for me, and as I passed through the game a few times the whole thing seemed like what happens when you take a great SNL skit and make it a movie. It just can't hold it's own for that long.

I'm curious to see what the reviews are like for this game, and how much more to the combat there is (I see things in the trailer that look exciting).

Fun demo though, it got some good laughs out of me and reminded me of my ridiculous "rock" phase I went through when I was in HS and early college. :)

-JR

i thought the demo was pretty fun, had a good amount of variety in its gameplay. i played on medium, though, and it seemed really easy to me -- that's my only worry.

I may be going to that show too. It's this weekend here in Seattle. I've never heard of either of the bands, but I am gonna go to drink, and watch all the teenage angst. should be fun.

They're both metal bands, hopefully there's not a lot of teenage angst there as much as elbowing and bloody noses. ;) Mine is in Calgary, not really that far from Seattle.

I may be going to that show too. It's this weekend here in Seattle. I've never heard of either of the bands, but I am gonna go to drink, and watch all the teenage angst. should be fun.Both bands' audiences are a bit older than teens, at least when either band has played here before in the Bay Area. So I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Dethklok is a faux band (a la Spinal Tap) built around the Adult Swim cartoon Metalocalypse. These guys draw serious crowds. Big subculture all their own. Mostly college age and twenty-something crowd.

Mastodon is a strange crossover that brings together old metal heads, prog rock fans, and hipsters. Bizarre crowd mix.

Sounds like a fun show! Didn't know they were touring together. :D

Sounds like a fun show! Didn't know they were touring together. :D

Yup, I'm excited. I saw Metallica in like November last year and it wasn't bad, but it was in a hockey arena and it was a sitting type thing. This will be standing room only, like a real metal show. Gonna be fun. Also I love both bands. :D

Cool, I'll just watch the hot rocker chicks. just don't tell my wife.

Loved the demo and the scene in the concert when the giant creature emerges from the ground was awesome !!! Loved the graphics and the sound.

It has been quite a while since a game has made me this excited.. pretty much since Fallout 3 came out I have been disappointed with most games. The last game I was realllly looking forward to like this would be Bioshock so I'm really hoping this game isn't a let down.. and the same with Borderlands.

I don't think this game will please you like Bioshock, but it's shaping up to be a pretty cool game, something you can just sit down with for an hour or two, rock out and slice some demons in half at the same time. I really enjoyed Fallout 3 by the way.

I'm really on the fence about this one. I love Psychonauts but after playing the Brutal Legend demo a few times, I'm tired of it already (the sense of humor). I'll probably end up renting first. Or it may simply be another impulse purchase. :D

See, I love that dorky kind of humour and so do my friends/roommates so it's right up my alley. "And now I will teach you of french kissing" ;)

Someone asked about using the guitar controllers for this game. At one point Tim Schafer wanted to do this, but somewhere along the line decided against it, if I'm remembering correctly.

Someone asked about using the guitar controllers for this game. At one point Tim Schafer wanted to do this, but somewhere along the line decided against it, if I'm remembering correctly.

I read something similar. It turned out to be too difficult to implement.

OK, I had absolutely no interest whatsoever in this game. I downloaded the demo on whem and it was fantastic. I too was laughing throughout the whole thing, I'll probably pick it up eventually.

Love him or hate him, Jack Black plays the part really well

There were a ton of Brutal Legend commercials on The Ultimate Fighter last night. What other channels are getting the media blitz besides Spike? I'd imagine MTV and VH1, but I'm not a fan of fake reality shows so don't usually watch those channels. :)

There were a ton of Brutal Legend commercials on The Ultimate Fighter last night. What other channels are getting the media blitz besides Spike? I'd imagine MTV and VH1, but I'm not a fan of fake reality shows so don't usually watch those channels. :)

I have seen about three commercials in the few days on various channels, but I can't remember when or where because I was channel-surfing...

Dammit.. Imma have to give it a try. Atleast the demo is free

There were a ton of Brutal Legend commercials on The Ultimate Fighter last night. What other channels are getting the media blitz besides Spike? I'd imagine MTV and VH1, but I'm not a fan of fake reality shows so don't usually watch those channels. :)

I watch UF as well, and noticed the commercials. Jack was also on Leno last night singing with Ben Harper.

-JR

anyone see the commercial for the birth of the raiders fan? i THINK it was for brutal legend, and i'm trying to find it online


but basically a guy comes dressed for a metal concert, but it turns out the concert is the following day or something, he ends up at a football game dressed like someone going to a metal concert (think gwar) with the shoulder pads, spikes, etc.... and it was kind of a joke towards some of the outfits that raider fans wear.....


anyways, anyone see this commercial? was it for brutal legend or something else? anyone know where to find it online?

It wasn't really a commercial. It was a sponsored segment for Sunday Night Football, which I think is Tailgating History.

I played the demo last night and it was pretty fun. This is looking like a good option for my son to get me for Christmas. I don't really want to wait that long since it comes out next week, but I'm tough to buy for so I might have to suffer. :)

I've been cautiously optimistic since hearing about this... a Tim Schafer+Jack Black+Heavy Metal video game seems like a perfect union, but I feared something misfiring and it not quite working.

I finally got to play the demo, and I fear no more - LOVE IT. The humor, art direction, production quality, even gameplay all hit the right tone. I'm all in. :cool:

LOL!!!! AT GAMESTOP!!!

Jack Black calls you on the phone if you pre-ordered Brutal Legend ..

HAHHAHAHA.. it's too cool!!!

Thought the demo was pretty fun, but not something I'd buy @ full MSRP. Seemed like there's going to be quite a bit of gameplay variety and the a/v was solid. Did anyone else see some slight slowdown in certain battles or is that my box dying a slow death?

i definitely noticed some slowdown in the battles

might pick it up tonight at midnight not sure though

Looks like some people got it early, see some playing it.

Jason

Wouldn't be surprised -- I know some Mom and Pop spots to get games before street date.

I was able to buy it only a little bit early. I'm only about 40% in the game. I tried to go into the game knowing as little as possible knowing that I'd buy it and preferring to be surprised. I did play the demo, which was a good thing, because it lowered my expectations a bit. It's good but the gameplay is still a little disappointing. I didn't realize it'd be so much of an open-world game either (not that that by itself is bad, I just expected more structure). And from the demo, I sort of thought that they'd have two-person action for a while, that would make the teaming up attacks worthwhile, but in all honesty, pretty useless. I think maybe it tries to be way too much. If it matters, I liked Psychonauts for as much as I played it, I lost my save after about halfway in that and never got around to finishing.

Oh, and I wouldn't expect very much hand-to-hand combat like the demo. So far more of the game seems to be played like an RTS (with iffy control, in my opinion, just like the iffy control of the demo's hand-to-hand combat)... and a couple FPS turret segments that have you shooting at things you can barely see and just hoping you're hitting them when the crosshair is red.

The music is great, of course though. The appearances of real musicians are mostly pretty cool, though I feel like Ozzy is wasted. The game definitely oozes style. Unfortunately, I'm actually getting a lot of repeats of songs though because at this point I only have 32% of the songs unlocked, so that's a little frustrating. And as for environments, they're neat, but nothing so far as awesome as the opening minutes (also seen in the demo). Otherwise it just really feels mostly like a medieval world (so far). I seem to remember a much better variety in Psychonauts.

I still like the game, but I wouldn't call it game of the year or anything either. For that, my money is still on Batman so far.

But, I will say that it has the best intro video and title menu that I've ever seen before (only the title menu is shown in the demo).

Edit: Oh and I'm playing on Brutal difficulty.

got my 360 a little while ago - perfect timing!

Brutal Legend
Batman
ODST

those might be my buy 2 get 1 free from Toys R Us

Same 3 here. hehe

It's good but the gameplay is still a little disappointing.Which is exactly why I'm waiting to play this.

Once I can get it for $10-15, I'll give it a shot. Psychonauts disappointed me in exactly the same way. Great atmosphere, great characterization, great writing, great music, but incredibly derivative and unfocused gameplay.

I really have the sense that Tim Schaefer's design ideas are more suited to smaller teams doing PC adventure titles. Get him working with the Telltale guys, and you've got a winning combination. His talents aren't in gameplay design, they're in writing and concept.

Looking forward to the full game. I do see this being $29.99 by christmas though. So i'll hold out.

Hmmm, I am a little dissapointed. I LOVED the demo, best demo ever. But the full game lacks something. Not a fan of driving the car everywhere, not a fan of the Overlord like controlling minions. Not sure, after playing it for a few hours, not as in to it as I thought I would be.

If this and Dragon Age Origins don't do well EA will never make an original game ever again.

Hmmm, I am a little dissapointed. I LOVED the demo, best demo ever. But the full game lacks something. Not a fan of driving the car everywhere, not a fan of the Overlord like controlling minions. Not sure, after playing it for a few hours, not as in to it as I thought I would be.

What's more annoying with regards to the car is having to play the song to summon it all the time, even if you left it there when you started the mission it'll be gone by the end of the mission.

Hey, if anyone knows what to do when total gayness hits in the swamp and there's absolutely no way to get around a blockade I'd appreciate it. It just pissed me off enough to quit playing and usually when a game does that it doesn't get a second change.

Hey, if anyone knows what to do when total gayness hits in the swamp and there's absolutely no way to get around a blockade I'd appreciate it. It just pissed me off enough to quit playing and usually when a game does that it doesn't get a second change.

Not sure exactly what part you're referring to, but if you have the roadies, they're invisible when breaking down structures.

I believe I have the whole map unlocked, but I'm not sure there's any area which I would classify as a swamp.

After a few hours I am done with the game, and I don't mean I finished it, I just mean done playing it. It has moments of brilliance and then the game play mechanics get in the way. Really disappointed on this one since I have been looking forward to it for so long :(. Playing on Brutal difficulty but the problem is not that it's too hard, it's too chaotic and the basic game play just becomes tedious instead of fun. Those of you considering a purchase based upon the demo should really think about renting instead.

Jason

Not sure exactly what part you're referring to, but if you have the roadies, they're invisible when breaking down structures.

I believe I have the whole map unlocked, but I'm not sure there's any area which I would classify as a swamp.

Right after the jungle chicks join you your taking the bus through the swamp and you run into a road block and you tell the guy to ram it but the stupid bastard wont do it. Then you say "I'll take care of it" but I dont see any way to take care of it. I tried going around (the bus didnt come) but there were some kind of metal things that ripped me apart. Should I try that again?

After reading all of your mini-reviews here, how is it that the IGN review puts this game on such a pedestal? Is this another "pay us for the 9.0" deal?

-JR

I am really liking the game, not sure why all the hate?

Question though, are you guys getting Dolby Digital? For some reason my Onkyo 806 isnt seeing this game as Dolby Digital which is strange.

After reading all of your mini-reviews here, how is it that the IGN review puts this game on such a pedestal? Is this another "pay us for the 9.0" deal?Tim Schaefer is a gaming media darling, so it makes sense that the most mainstream gaming media site of all would give it high marks.

Besides, a "9.0" from IGN is like an "8" from any other site. :rolleyes:

Well, it's definitely different after the part where the demo ends -- the demo is the first moments of the real game! Even in demo gameplay changed very fast so I was expecting even more changes.

So far I'm still enjoying the game, I'm just taking my time and doing some ambush side missions. Biggest surprise to me was that I wasn't expecting an open world game, I thought it would be more linear.

After reading all of your mini-reviews here, how is it that the IGN review puts this game on such a pedestal? Is this another "pay us for the 9.0" deal?

If you notice, the review says very little about actual gameplay. 2nd paragraph about uniqueness, then the general theme, story, two VERY short paragraphs about gameplay, etc. And it could also be different tastes. The reviewer thinks each gameplay mode comes together well, I just personally think they're all missing just a little something. Metacritic has it at an 84/100 and I think that's probably an accurate rating myself.

I think it's still worth playing, regardless. For those of you considering waiting to get it, it might be worth a rental, as my understanding is that it's pretty short. I'm about 60% through it now after not too much playing, maybe 8 hours if I had to estimate.

I am really liking the game, not sure why all the hate?

Question though, are you guys getting Dolby Digital? For some reason my Onkyo 806 isnt seeing this game as Dolby Digital which is strange.

I'm getting Dolby Digital.

EDIT: I have an Onkyo 805.

After reading all of your mini-reviews here, how is it that the IGN review puts this game on such a pedestal? Is this another "pay us for the 9.0" deal?

-JR

I would say certain aspects of the game deserve a 9 but others areas would be much lower. I think the meta score of 84/100 is still too high but the game is certainly not bad, it's just not great (like many of us had hoped it would be). I think anybody that would score this game a 9/10 over-all is either a TS fan, a JB fan or a metal fan (or probably all 3 in the case of the IGN review).


*Dolby Digital here as well.

Jason

Thanks for the mini-review, Jason. I was on the fence about this one but this one pushed me over to the "rent." I loved Psychonauts as I said earlier in the thread, but there you hit the nail on the head describing your frustrations with the game. I experienced similar things in the demo.

I'm getting Dolby Digital.

EDIT: I have an Onkyo 805.

Thanks for the reply, Ill have to check it again when I get home

impressions after a couple hours of playing.

Story: Once again Schafer delivers in character design, story and scripting. The metal world is big awesome place and full of great cartoonish characters and some surprisingly deep character motivations.

Graphics: Schafer has always been safer than sorrier when it comes to graphics. He finds a balance between style and substance and then locks it down even though some cutscenes could look better. With that said I found very little dipping in framerate to during the action sequences. Honestly though Schafer knows his engines and some of the best laughs have come from some terrific subtle animations on characters faces.

Sound: The surround sound seems a bit wonky at first but the soundtrack and action sounds are brutal and awesome.

Gameplay: fun brutal and expandable!, reminds me of a mix of dynasty warriors, psychonauts and god of war.

I'm happy with my purchase so far, more on it later.

Also Tim Schafer has posted some reaction/tips on the battle system in rbutal legend and how people are assuming to much on the RTS aspects:
http://www.doublefine.com/news/comments/battle_time/
Brütal Legend is out in the wild now, and people are starting to have fun playing our game’s unique stage battle mode online. Including and especially, ME! (I'm "TimOfLegend" on xbl and psn, by the way. But I only accept friend requests from people playing Brütal Legend. I have to have some sort of standards!)

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of Brütal Legend’s stage battles.

First, one thing to understand right off the bat—Brütal Legend: Brütal Legend is not an RTS game.

(Read the rest after the jump, as the kids say.)It is a historical fact that it began its life as an RTS game, inspired by Herzog Zwei. But then as we worked on it we simplified it, and simplified it, and focused it more and more on the player avatar and the combat. Every time we focused the gameplay on the action, it became more fun. The end result is something much more action-oriented, and I think, totally unique. If you try to play the stage battles in Brütal Legend as an RTS game then you will lose. First you will get mad, then you will scream, and then you will lose. But if you are open to a new kind of action experience, you will have a blast.

First, a note on the differences: In an RTS game you float high above the action, making one split-second strategic decision after another. You often command individual units to position them based on their heath and context. In Brütal Legend, you make strategic choices once in a while, but then you jump into the battle and slug it out in person. You can fly, but it’s mostly for quick scouting and transportation. You will spend a few seconds every once in a while popping into a menu to build troops or pick a guitar solo, but then you should be right back in the action. To play the game most effectively you need to be on the ground with your army most of the time, mixing it up with your axe, and your guitar, but most of all—using your Double Team attacks.

Double Team attacks are critical to your success in Stage Battles. Every friendly unit in your army has a move that they can only perform in conjunction with the player character. These moves are extremely varied, extremely powerful, and extremely fun to perform. Sometimes you might simply gain control that unit’s weapon—for instance, when a Razor Girl jumps up on your shoulders--but when you do so you increase it’s damage significantly. Other units, like the Bride, seem to be just passive, debuffing units most of the time (the Bride slows down enemy units) but when you Double Team with her she has a devastating lighting attack. More complicated Double Teams include the Frightwig, who Ophelia can pick up and throw onto an enemy unit. The Frightwig then wraps itself around the enemy’s head and causes the victim to join Ophelia’s side in the battle. (You can even use this to commandeer the enemy’s Rock Crusher!) The Organist is another passive unit whose Double Team attack allows you to gain direct player control over an enemy unit, giving you command over whatever attacks they normally have.

There are important strategic choices to make in Stage Battles. Should I spend my fans to upgrade my stage and gain access to more powerful units, or should I spend it now on cheap infantry? Which fan geysers should I fight for and which should I concede? What is the right time to block my enemies troop production with a Rock Block solo? Would anti-infantry units be better against the current enemy army, or should I switch to anti-vehicle? But these strategic decisions only take a second, and then you should get right back in the action. You should never be up in the air or away from the battle for too long.

Some people find it hard to split up the army and give individual orders to individual troops. This is kinda true, mostly because you shouldn’t be doing it! That’s how you play an RTS game, not how you should play Brütal Legend. True, there are times where you might want to split your army, but it’s not common. I play complete Stage Battles most of the time without issuing a single Individual order. Your army is most effective when it’s together. The AI automatically groups your warriors into battle formations where the troops support each other. Many of the units buff or heal each other. When they are together they can all be enhanced with a single Battle Cry (or other buffing) solo. And when they are all together and you are in the middle of them, that is when you have the greatest number of options for Double Team attacks.

So to summarize my advice for playing Brütal Legend Stage Battles:

Get in the center of the action!
Use Double Team attacks!
Don’t stay in the air too long!
Use Double Team attacks!!
For the most part, keep your army together!
Use Double Team attacks!!!
Don’t think of it as an RTS game!
Always be building squads and spending your fans! Don't hoard fans!

If you have tried the Stage Battles before reading these tips, and felt overwhelmed by the controls, or frustrated with the lack of detailed troop controls, I’m hoping you will be able to take this info and go back into the fray and be much more successful. We know that the Stage Battles are tons of fun for most players—and for people who are open to new kinds of action gameplay experiences, they are in fact the core of what makes Brütal Legend a fun game experience and unlike any other. I’ll see you online!

Love,

TimOfLegend (that’s my name on both XBL and PSN. Play against me and you’ll get an achievement!)


P.S. Here are some more tips from our Lead Designer, Erik Robson:

General Tips
*Early in the game, low-level troops are vulnerable to enemy Avatar harassment; make sure you watch over them and protect them if necessary.
*USE YOUR DOUBLE TEAMS!
*Don't play timidly. The game is about projecting power and taking control of territory. If you try to play defensively and stay in or near your base, you'll be at a resource disadvantage.
*If you set the beacon on a building, your dudes will attack the building until it's destroyed, ignoring any incoming attacks.
*The right solo played at the right time can be devastating - don't forget you have those tools at your disposal!

Ironheade Tips
*Ironheade is extremely mobile - use this to your advantage.
*Razor Girls' Double Team is great for dealing with early-game Avatar harassment.
*Remember that you can upgrade your level 1 troops once your stage hits level 3. If you've spent the game massing up those small infantry, an upgrade can really pay off.

Drowning Doom Tips
*Gravediggers, while more numerous, have lower health than other basic melee troops. They may need extra support in the early game.
*Use your debuffers (Bride, Organ, and Dirgible). They're powerful, and the Bride and Organ stack their debilitating effects.
*Bride's Double Team is great for dealing with early-game Avatar harassment.
*Remember that you can upgrade your level 1 troops once your stage hits level 3. If you've spent the game massing up those small infantry, an upgrade can really pay off.

Tainted Coil Tips
*Your hierarchy units (Nuns, Warfather, and Overblessers) are extremely vulnerable while alone. They're much safer when they're surrounded by minions, because they get a small stacking healing bonus from each nearby minion.
*Punishing Parties' Double Team is good for dealing with early-game Avatar harassment.
*Remember your Superior and Divine troops - for example, if you build a Warfather, he can then build a Superior Nun, which in turn can produce Superior Soul Kissers and Punishing Parties. Superior and Divine squads are more powerful than the basic troops, but cost the same!

Finally got to play the demo, pretty sweet game with some different twist in it. Should have some staying power, possibly a sleeper hit!

After a few hours I am done with the game, and I don't mean I finished it, I just mean done playing it. It has moments of brilliance and then the game play mechanics get in the way. Really disappointed on this one since I have been looking forward to it for so long :(. Playing on Brutal difficulty but the problem is not that it's too hard, it's too chaotic and the basic game play just becomes tedious instead of fun. Those of you considering a purchase based upon the demo should really think about renting instead.

Jason

thanks for the heads up. Can't say I'm surprised though, I felt this game was overhyped since day one and just looked plain silly. Plus - Jack Black....doomed to fail to some degree.

Plus - Jack Black....doomed to fail to some degree.

That's the main reason I like Jack Black...he sucks so much it's hilarious, at least to me. :D

I played for a few hours last night. The "Camera" seems so damned Glitchy that it takes a lot of the fun out of the game for me. The absolute worst is when driving the car, sometimes the car simply disappears and reappears; sometimes it Camera seems to be stuck. Even when doing battle, the screen seems to lock up for a split second. I think the "Style" is uber-cool, awesome graphics concepts and killer soundtrack; but even after two hours, it feels more like work than fun. I really hops this camera thing has a patch coming...

never had a problem with the camera, the lock on can be a little unintuitive at times but camera never gave be blues.

One of the coolest things I had to say about playing last night was how really terrific both lemmy and ozzy are in the game. I mean Tim got Ozzy to actually give a damn about his performance and that tied with teh accurate model and terrific animations and timing of double fine made ozzy's character someone I looked forward to interacting with later in the game.

I don't care what anyone says, this game was awesome. Yes, I say "was" because I finished it in 3 days. I normally do an hour or 2 of gaming a night, I did about twice that when I got this game and was tired for work every day this week.

Brutal Legend is the most unique and original thing I've seen in a video game in a long, long, long time. I had fun the whole way through, even if it didn't have the Heavenly Sword type action I was expecting. The game has personality. God, I wish more game were like this one.

Take it for what it is and have fun with it. If you judge it on mere entertainment hours per dollar it might not be the greatest buy in the world, but for Christ's sake, think of it as an investment in the future of gaming. The industry needs games like this.

I don't care what anyone says, this game was awesome. Yes, I say "was" because I finished it in 3 days. I normally do an hour or 2 of gaming a night, I did about twice that when I got this game and was tired for work every day this week.

Brutal Legend is the most unique and original thing I've seen in a video game in a long, long, long time. I had fun the whole way through, even if it didn't have the Heavenly Sword type action I was expecting. The game has personality. God, I wish more game were like this one.

Take it for what it is and have fun with it. If you judge it on mere entertainment hours per dollar it might not be the greatest buy in the world, but for Christ's sake, think of it as an investment in the future of gaming. The industry needs games like this.

Agree with you on this - hopefully it sells well so we can get more varied and interesting titles, after all we can't all play modern warfare 6 forever (I know I can't anyways). Overall BL was a brillant concept game with a flawed execution but still an enjoyable escape for several hours (and I thought Jack Black made the game)

I kind of wish Kyle was in the game some where as a mysterious stranger who wielded a amplified acoustic guitar and could do a shred fest with eddie as a double team.

I kind of wish Kyle was in the game some where as a mysterious stranger who wielded a amplified acoustic guitar and could do a shred fest with eddie as a double team.

Dude KG was in the game. Look for the Canoneer.

Dude KG was in the game. Look for the Canoneer.

damn haven't gotten taht far yet, but that's awesome.

The cannon parts are a side quest. so if you aren't doing any of the side quests you might miss it.

I don't think that it was mentioned yet in this thread, but if it was, I apologize. If anyone has Rock Band, if you buy the game at Best Buy, you get a code to download the Brutal Legend pack. The code is on an insert in the package. A nice bonus for those Rock Banders among us. Just look for the message on the front cover of the game package. I think it is a limited time bonus (i.e., future shipments at Best Buy may not have the code), and the insert says that the codes expire on 12/31/2009.

I'm going to post this info in the Rock Band thread as well.

Just finished this game, way fun, i thought it was going to keep going since there are lots of parts on the map I havent been and i was driving all over the place. Time to find more relics!

Just finished this game, way fun, i thought it was going to keep going since there are lots of parts on the map I havent been and i was driving all over the place. Time to find more relics!

Can you continue playing and do the side missions that were missed after beating the game?

Can you continue playing and do the side missions that were missed after beating the game?

yes.



KG looks so hilarious, i wanted to snap a picture so bad..... is he just in that one canoneer? or are there more?

yes.



KG looks so hilarious, i wanted to snap a picture so bad..... is he just in that one canoneer? or are there more?

There are more, I have found two so far.

Ha, I found that MFer KAGE also, you really can't miss him, he's right outside that first castle thing in story mode.

I'm loving this game by the way and taking my time doing all side missions. :cool:

so far I like this better than uncharted 2.