Ozzy's Gone, But 'Brutal Legend' Lives On (For a Few Hours, Anyway!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Double Fine made 'Brutal Legend' free on Itch.io for 666 minutes in honor of Ozzy Osbourne's passing, giving gamers a brief window to snag the metal-infused adventure.
Right, listen up, metalheads and gamers! In a move that's both a touching tribute and a seriously cool giveaway, Double Fine Productions, the legends behind Psychonauts and Broken Age, are making their cult-classic game *Brutal Legend* free. But there's a catch, and it's a bit of a hellish one (in the best way, of course).
See, the digital wizards over at Double Fine decided to honor the late, great Ozzy Osbourne by making *Brutal Legend* free on Itch.io for a devilishly specific amount of time: 666 minutes. Yes, you read that right. If that ain't metal, I don't know what is. The game was released in 2009, and features NPC cameos from heavy metal musicians like Osbourne. It's considered one of Double Fine's quirkiest releases for its use of gameplay mechanics from various game genres.
Ozzy, the Prince of Darkness himself, sadly shuffled off this mortal coil on July 22nd at the ripe old age of 76. Now, I won't bore you with a complete Ozzy Osbourne biography, but let's just say his impact on music and pop culture is undeniable. From Black Sabbath anthems to reality TV madness, the man was a bloody legend.
Double Fine announced the offer on social media, making it clear that the 666-minute window started ticking down immediately. So, you had until 6:06 AM Eastern on July 24th to snag it. Missed it? Bloody hell, mate. Better set an alarm next time!
Now, *Brutal Legend* ain't your average game. It's a bonkers mix of open-world adventure, real-time strategy, and a whole lotta heavy metal. Think *Guitar Hero* meets *Lord of the Rings*, but with more leather and less legolas. Tim Schafer, the mastermind at Double Fine, drew inspiration from his own musical escapades and created a world straight out of a metal album cover.
Ozzy himself lends his voice and likeness to The Guardian of Metal, a character who helps the main protagonist, Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black), upgrade his axe and guitar. It's a proper love letter to metal, and a genuinely fun game, if you can get past the, uh, unique blend of genres.
The PC port, which arrived in 2013 after a console exclusivity period, boasts some visual tweaks like anti-aliasing and improved draw distances. So, even though the game's a bit older, it still looks pretty decent. Plus, the version on Itch.io is DRM-free, which is always a bonus.
So, there you have it. A free game, a tribute to a rock god, and a reminder that sometimes, the gaming industry can actually be pretty cool. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to crank up some Sabbath and try to figure out how to code a game where you play as a caffeinated squirrel battling corporate zombies. Wish me luck!
Tags: Brutal Legend, Ozzy Osbourne, Double Fine, Free Game, Heavy Metal
Original article: Game Rant