Zero Punctuation: Brutal Legend

[SurfPenguin]

Well, it had to happen sooner or later: Yahtzee does a review that I thoroughly disagree with. I've been playing BL since it came out and enjoy it immensely. While he's more or less correct that the RTS element isn't the most fantastic in the world, the world itself and the background story are what pull me in. That and the fact that the old-school tabletop wargamer in me wants some enterprising sould to create a line of 28mm Brutal Legend miniautres...

 

[hifismith]

I liked the game. Try the online too, it's addictive, and a lot of fun to learn each of the 3 teams, just plan on reading the manual first, then doing AI training, and then go online.

I do like that Yahtzee pronounces the umlaut. I'm with you on that!

 

[Zagzag]

We already knew that Yahtze studied Latin, and now German. He's become quite the linguist.

Seriously though I'm pleased somone's standing up for the Umlaut

 

[DBlack]

Well I do realise its probably to late for anyone to read my post at #300ish but I figure what the hell. As someone can see from my picture im a desent fan of this game, but I think this was an excelent RTS game. It was very slow into the acctual RTS part of the game, which in my opinion was for the best; theres nothing more anoying then playing an RTS on a console and getting your ass kicked over an over again by terrable controls. Brutal Legend took a very slow approtch to RTS by having very simple controls right from the get go as a 3rd person slasher, and bringing in the strategy part in a very easy to understand way. By having obsticals that can only be overcome by a certain unit, you come to understand how they can be used in combat, but at the same time the game doesnt constantly slow you down with repetative gameplay. Love your show yahtzee! You've spawned a legion of kiss ass wanta be game critics (me included)

 

[CaptainCalvin]

An example of why your complaining isn't always funny yahtzee.

God damnit, someone hand me a Guinness...

 

[Therumancer]

I thought this game was okay but could have benefitted from a bit more specialization myself. The RTS elements could have been more like a mini-game, sort of like how they were used in Final Fantasy VII (for those who remember it).

Also, I'm sure someone has mentioned this (I have not read all 300 messages) but Jack Black and Tim Schaefer were together at last year's SPIKE video game awards to promote the game.

 

[TimbukTurnip]

Brutal Legend is a fun game, but not a good one. I actually kind of like the RTS thing, as i dont see it as a 'crappy RTS' but an 'RTS Lite'. The story, characters and writing is good, as is the scenery and landmarks of the world. Everything else is pretty bad though.
The story is way too short, the side missions are incredibly repetitive and mostly boring, its also very easy to get stuck in different places in the world and die or have to restart the game because of it, and in my opinion, there arent enough upgrades in the Motor Forge.

It seems like they realised they made the story short, so put lots of side missions to fill out the game more, and quite a few cameos to advertise the game better.


On the topic of Brutal Legend though, has anyone found The Baron, Killmaster or, if it exists in the world, the monument of lars at the end of the game? I've come across everyone but them, anyone seen them?

 

[sunpop]

So it was just a tribute to metal not that that's a bad thing I love metal as much as the next guy but I'm not about to spend that much money on a game that is a watered down RTS and a tribute. That and I don't like jack black very much so it would more just be a way to torment myself.

 

[Triforceformer]

Jack Black and Tim Schafer in the same room together.

Oh, and also Rob Halford.

All of which are awesome.

 

[clank1013]

OMG one of the best vids latly! i love the ending!!!!! keep it up Yahtzee!

 

[Zaksav91]

Jack Black and Tim Schafer in the same room together.

Oh, and also Rob Halford.

All of which are awesome.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES. Thats to much awesomeness for my brain to comprehend.

 

[Planko]

I have to say I am pretty disappointed with this weeks "slating" of Brutal Legend. I know the gameplay is not the greatest but just for the story itself this game is AWESOME!! Dont let this video put you off playing a perfectly good (but not GREAT) game, especially if you are a metal head. There is nothing more satisfying than driving around a METAL landscape listening to METAL!!!

Oh and there is nothing as awesome as summoning a flaming zeppelin by playing an epic solo.

Keep up the good work Yahtzee

 

[Paendorrah]

Was I the only one who caught the Eddie Izzard reference? I'd like to thank Yahtzee for that, as it gave me a good laugh, much like the rest of the review.

Nope, caught it aswell This is the second Izzard reference within a short time! I'm not sure it's enough though. Or maybe it's just that. Hm...

 

[Aptspire]

well, it is pretty accurate, and there's 1 point where I completely agree:
WHERE THE F*** is the mountain where I make my statues?

The clifface with the faces on is to the west of bladehenge (you know the resistance base where you start out)where you go to change them however....

I found it, you have to go in the field of devil horns (hands with index and little finger out) and climb the stairs on the back of the biggest hand 'facing' the faces...
I made a wall with Eddie, Ophelia, Lita and Lars
and for references: Lizzie's real last name is 'Kilmister'

 

[Hungryfreak]

This just seems a complete 180 from the Psychonauts review in terms of what Yahtzee's looking at.

The complaints are legitimate. The game didn't exactly live up to its potential and suffered from somewhat of a lack of cohesion. It was quite short and some things weren't explained too well (the Hornthrower in particular, though that isn't anything too important in the game). I do not think that it's quite as good as Psychonauts.

The thing that seems off to me, though, is how Yahtzee really brushed aside the actual fun of the game. The imagery, story, characters, world, soundtrack (licensed and original), the humor and the overall style that makes Tim Schafer games great. In the Psychonauts review, he talked about how he could let certain handling issues slide for an artistic and original game. Even if they aren't put together as well as in other games of his, though, it's worth addressing the unique elements of this game, though, in more than one line. Those parts cannot be understated as they are critical to the Schafer experience.

That, and his RTS friend isn't playing it right. I'm not just hopping on the 'agree with Tim Schafer' band wagon, I really think that you miss so much by just making units and sending them to another location. Sure, from an overall RTS perspective, it is really giant tug of war that doesn't involve much besides getting units from one end to the other. That isn't the main aspect of the strategy, though. How you support your units and use them individually changes it from a linear RTS struggle to a series of dynamic battles that you need to control and join from two different perspectives. If you don't help your units, take advantage of your unique solos, make use of the various powerful double team attacks or fend off the enemy from doing the same then you'll lose pretty easily. I also think that the two elements seem to break each other up when they would normally get dull. You don't have to keep mashing buttons in the fray, nor do you have to sit and just deal with the logistics. I also think that this is the most playable console RTS I've seen yet.

 

[timmytom1]

Jack Black and Tim Schafer in the same room together.

Oh, and also Rob Halford.

I`m amazed by the fac that Schafer isn`t even fazed by the fact that Rob Halford and jack Black are standing RIGHT NEXT TO HIM!!! if that was me i wouldn`t even be able to talk in a remotley coherent manner

 

[Endocrom]

From the Wet review:

Place your bets: there will be a Brütal Legend review within three weeks.

Bonus points if he makes a referance about being gay for Tim Shafer.

Oh, snap!

 

[nYuknYuknYuk]

...Why are all my favourite reviewers bashing this game? I thought it was the shit.

As did I. I really enjoyed this game, even the RTS stuff. Especially the RTS Stuff.

 

[Aesthetical Quietus]

Well Im kinda dissapointed at Brutal Legends negatives. I wasnt planning on buying the game new, I never do unless its Bioware, but if i was going to I would now just rent it or wait its price out.

Hell maybe I'll just watch someone play it on youtube for me. Worked with Wet.

Coincedently does anyone know a good website for that sort of thing? Watching someone play a game for you adequetly so you can enjoy the story?

YOUTUBE!
Duh.