Tim Schafer, we love you. If we go back into our gaming past, you’ve been involved with an abundance of titles that still mean the world to us. Be it Monkey Island, Full Throttle or Grim Fandango, we genuinely think you’re a master technician in the videogames industry. However, not in our wildest dreams did we think you could take it to a new level. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for proving us wrong! Although admittedly we never thought of the concept, the idea of creating an action adventure game surrounded by the culture of heavy metal is genius. Even if it had relied on generic rock we would have been intrigued, but to ensure maximum authenticity Jack Black (Tenacious D), Lemmy (Motörhead), Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath) are all going to provide voices and be heavily involved with the project – rushed this isn’t.

Enough of our fanboy fantasies, though, and more game talk! Legend follows roadie Eddie Riggs, voiced by one Mr Black, just as he’s transported into an alternate reality where demons rule over the human race. On his travels Eddie will have to deal with a love interest named Ophelia, the Kill Master (Lemmy) whose guitar riffs can heal wounds and Lita and Lars Halford (a combination of rock legends) that are willing to start a resistance against the evil spirits. As is more than apparent, it’s intensely intertwined with its subject matter and this deepens as you delve further into Brütal’s core.

Being a third-person action game means weapons are always going to be imperative. However, rather than offer up the nonspecific sword, Riggs gets a battle axe to pound enemies’ faces in and a magically powered guitar that can cast spells using rock terminology. For example, we’ve all heard of the guitar-melting solo, hence why you’ll actually be able to melt people’s faces off! Schafer has even admitted that the reason an axe was chosen as the roadie’s primary weapon was because of the guitar slang referencing the same term. Eddie can also get behind the wheel of the Deuce, a vehicle that can be built-up with parts found scattered around the demonic reality. Allowing you to either run over foes or simply roam about wildly, you can summon the beast using your magic guitar. Can you see a theme developing?

Just to throw one final gameplay option in, Eddie can also build up armies. Once a type of enemy has been slain they hop on board and can be controlled with the D-pad. We kind of hope this has a strategic depth to it as such a move could keep events interesting in the encounter department.

Despite a long haul between now and Brütal Legend’s release it already has the hallmarks of a title that could be absolutely brilliant. Experienced, quality designer, excellent and unique concept and genuine celebrities for major crossover appeal. Not only that, but if we run the risk of expecting the past to repeat itself there’s every chance this could be the funniest game on the 360. All of Schafer’s projects have had a wicked sense of humour, and there’s no way he’s not going to pick apart the world of music, especially with one Jack Black on board. This is going to rock… literally!

Simon Miller