To me this is the perfect introduction to the twisted metal series and probably the best all around game in the series. I’ll admit black will always be m favorite for the vibes and the brutal gameplay yet this one is a lot less intense essentially going back to the style of 1 and 2. Zany and over the top while sprinkling in dark humor and morbid subjects for good measure. Even if I personally prefer the more “twisted” side of the series i still really appreciate the black comedy and comic book aesthetic applied with the first 2. And I gotta say all around this game is just fantastic at recapturing that old magic. To me this is the real twisted metal 3 forget all the dumbass sequels the original charm is here and accounted for. Also on top of that we get even better gameplay. Taking inspiration from the bigger maps and speed that was shown off in TM Black but this time a lot easier. Hell some might argue this is too easy as well out of 1, 2 and black this is easily the least challenging. But to me it really isn’t an issue if anything I’m happy to have a more chill TM experience while still being able to enjoy the carnage and action the series is known for. I just think this was a brilliant return to form for the series and imo deserves a lot more credit as not only a great car combat game but as an example to how to modernize and bring back a classic in a newer era.

Also the fact this game basically offers a whole new game with all the content completed for a scrapped sequel to black is just awesome. I really like how open this game is about the lost sequel and even if it isn’t finished we at least get to play and see what it could’ve been. I really wish more games would be more open about cut content even if it can be a bit disappointing, and I’m happy this game had the courage to show off everything that was completed for this lost sequel. It also stops this content from being lost media.
Strong 4/5

Peak of the Series by far, it feels like everything before it came together for this game alone, almost all the positive of previous games are here, the one sacrifice being losing a lot of the hard edge Black brought to the table, it doesn't mean the game got neutered, far from it, it is Twisted and Metal.

along side the great gameplay, this is a game packing with lots of addition, upgrades from fallen vehicles to incentivize runs without spending lives, minigames, the Twisted Metal 1 live action endings and actual beta builds of unfinished games that they decided to add as an act of good will.

i would have not minded this one being the very last one in the series.