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OK, Matt Hazard. You Win.

Matt Hazard achievement list has some fantastically stupid stuff on it and I'm in now.

By Jeff Gerstmann  |  Feb. 5, 2009

From this angle, it just kind of looks like a regular shooter.
From this angle, it just kind of looks like a regular shooter.
When the game Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard was first announced, I was immediately put off. The whole "viral" nature of the game's announcement and subsequent fake development back story just felt like it was trying too hard. Then, once the game was actually announced and D3 and Vicious Cycle started talking about it, it just sounded too weird. Too "game-within-a-game." Too clever, even. I don't know. Whatever it was, it just completely put me off.

I'm still not entirely sold on the Eat Lead (as I haven't really seen it running), but there's a humor to the game's achievements that I can certainly appreciate. Xbox360Achievements has posted up a list, and here are a few that jumped out at me...

  • It's HAZARD TIME! - Start your first game. - 15 points
  • Take 5. - Pause the game for the first time. - 5 points
  • ...Where Credit Is Due - Watch the credits from beginning to end. - 60 points

It's worth noting that aside from a secret 100 point achievement, that 60 pointer for the credits is the highest-scoring achievement in the game. That's pretty good. It'd be really funny, though, if that achievement was practically impossible to get. Like, maybe the credits are six hours long. Or maybe there's some stupid-hard gameplay associated with the credits. I'd be way into that.

Either way, you never know what it is about a game that's going to put it on your radar. Sounds like a lot of people got on-board once they heard that Will Arnett and Neil Patrick Harris were going to be doing voices. For me, it's these stupid-in-a-good-way achievements that leave me wanting to know more.

What do you think? Any interest in this seemingly self-aware third-person shooter?
Filed under: Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard
67 Comments
StarFoxAon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:09 p.m.
Haha, I like how the credits one is worth 60 points.
Cheapozon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
First I've heard of it. Love the achievements though. There's a lot to be said for achievements...
chilililion Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
NPH loving makes me want to play it.
Seramon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
I think movies should give people money somehow if they watch the entire credits in the theater. I'd have a lot of money.
Sparky_Buzzsawon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.

 I've been looking forward to this one since GamePro ran a feature on it.  It definitely looks to be worth a rental at the very least.

GobiasIndustrieson Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
GOB is the fucking lead voice actor, I'm buying this game day one.
Quateron Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:28 p.m.
I was way on board ever since I heard about the concept for the game and saw the first major trailer. That was a long while ago though, and I hadn't heard anything for a long time so I kinda forgot about it. I'm glad to be reminded like this. To be honest, I think disliking something for being "too clever" says more about you being a dumbass than anything else. The only thing that could go wrong is if the game ends up thinking it's more clever than it actually is, kinda like the Simpsons Game, which gave itself a big pat on the back for being satirical while simultaneously having some of the dumbest and most outdated gameplay in recent memory.
agentboolenon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:31 p.m.
Pause button achievement has me in for at least trying it lol...  Reminds me of the simpsons game hit start to start the game achievement.
MatthewMeadowson Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
Is this actually a game, or some sort of joke?
RHCPfan24on Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
This sounds like an awesome game. Gob and NPH are in it, so why not play it? And with these achievements...yeah, it looks awesome.
MrMiyagion Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
This is hilarious.
Diamondon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:50 p.m.
I hope the game is just jam packed with funny stuff and references rather than having lengthy boring battles.  I kind of liked The Simpsons game as a 'joke game', laughed way more playing than then while watching the movie.
JoblessTerenceon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
Haha! Maybe the credits will be like the end of Guitar Hero 3 and you'll have to do something ridiculous, like you said.
Nakirendralon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
Never heard of this game before this posting, but if Gob is in it I will keep my purchasing cash ready for the Giant Review.
Matches_Maloneon Feb. 5, 2009 at 3:59 p.m.
Wow, really? Will Arnett and Neil Patrick Harris are lending their voices?  That should be interesting. I have not seen much on this game, but it immediately reminded me of Armed and Dangerous.
zoozillaon Feb. 5, 2009 at 4:14 p.m.
I think we need more self-referential games.

I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this.
Kohe321on Feb. 5, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.
Hilarious achievements!
Mjolniron Feb. 5, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
First time hearing of this game for me as well, but if this kind of humor is present throughout I might just have to try it. And easy points are always nice.
Synister_Gameron Feb. 5, 2009 at 4:44 p.m.
Hmm...Sounds pretty cool, but I got another games that are more importent I need to get first :P
Alaska_Gameron Feb. 5, 2009 at 4:44 p.m.
Normally, I'd think achievements should be for the more non practical tasks than something like "beat game on hard* or something. But I think these achievements are just too funny to throw away.

Still, I wish achievements and trophies would actually GIVE you something in return for getting them.

Dig Deeper into Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard

Matt Hazard returns for the first time in this comedy-themed third person shooter game from D3.

US Release Date: March 3, 2009

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