Brutal Legend

Game review by Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media
Brutal Legend Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Jack Black as funny rocker roadie, but expect gory violence.

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 2009
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Brutal Legend is all about fantasy and does not look realistic at all. That being said it does show graphic violence including decapitation, dismemberment, and mass killings (such as driving over a group of baddies). Eddie, the roadie protagonist voiced by Jack Black, has a number of weapons and special powers at his disposal to fight demonic creatures -- some who look human-like. Players, though, are asked at the start of the game if they're OK with blood and gore, and profanity and have an option to turn these aspects off.

Community Reviews

novocaine
novocaine Adult
November 9, 2018
age 11+
Has sexual inuendos in sometimes that some children may repeat not knowing what it means but other than that, just violence and you have the option to turn off the blood and gore, as well as the swearing.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
Hannah M
Hannah M Adult
March 7, 2014
age 16+
It does not have good role models or messages at all, contrary to what others may say on here. There are negative role models and a lot of sexism mostly for women in the game; which is to be expected, I suppose, since there are hardly any good female role models in rock/metal in reality with the exception of a few. While you can play the more censored version, it does not take out swearing on the radio and there is still "partial nudity" (a strip of leather covering the part of the breasts from the nipple up, micro-thong, and everything else exposed for example). Unless your children are well aware of the sexism and stuff and can understand the problems with it, I'm sure it's not good for kids to learn and internalize the messages within this game...

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 10 parent reviews

What’s It About?

From the ingenious mind of game designer Tim Schafer (Day of the Tentacle, Psychonauts) comes an über fun – and funny – action-heavy adventure that stars Jack Black as roadie Eddie Riggs. One night, a freak stage accident knocks Eddie unconscious, and when his blood drips into his beloved belt buckle, a gift from his father, he is magically transported to a fantasy world, where heavy metal album covers come alive, guitars emit lightning strikes, and mountains are made up of piled amps. Your "battle axe" and super-charged hotrod will help rally an army of head-bangers to save humanity from an oppressive emperor and his demonic army.

Is It Any Good?

Yes, BRUTAL LEGEND is a blast, not just because it delivers a fresh balance of fantasy adventure, humor, and great music (er, if you're into hard rock, that is), but it also successfully borrows elements from three different genres: action brawlers, real-time strategy games, and racing. Plus, this third-person game offers a host of optional side-missions that add to its replayability, while multiplayer modes kick it "up to 11" online, too. Packed with more than 100 killer rock tracks and voice talent from the who's who of heavy metal gods -- namely, Ozzy Osborne, Rob Halford, Lemmy Kilmister, and Lita Ford -- Brütal Legend is one of the more refreshingly unique games to debut in a long while.

Online interaction: This fantasy adventure is easy to connect to a central lobby from the main menu, then find people to play against in real-time strategy (RTS)-focused matches. You can chat, as well, therefore potentially hearing inappropriate words online.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why more games aren't as funny as this. Should humor matter, as it does in many movies? Can't game designers use humor to create more memorable characters, dialogue, and creatures? Or is it too hard to pull off well, as Tim Schafer has done successfully?

  • While this is an "M-rated" game, do you think it is less offensive because it is unrealistic?

Game Details

  • Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Release date: October 13, 2009
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • ESRB rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
  • Last updated: August 31, 2016

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