Twisted Metal: Small Brawl
released on Nov 26, 2001
Twisted Metal: Small Brawl is a vehicular combat game in which the player takes control of one of twelve unique remote control vehicles. While in control of a vehicle, the player can accelerate, steer, brake, reverse, activate the turbo, turn tightly, toggle between and activate weapons using the game controller's d-pad, analog sticks and buttons.
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My favorite of the series by far.
A goofy spin-off that leads hard into the sillier side of Twisted Metal lore. It's cleared been rushed in parts but the game still plays great. That treehouse stage taking the place of the seminal skyscraper stage is a stroke of brilliance. I can get why people hate this game but the game's not nearly as bad as some say it is.
Personally this game is more balanced than Twisted Metal 1 & 2 ever was and I'm neither a Gen X or a Millennial that was hivemind upset at this game instinctively for whatever reason. the maps leave something to be desired whether its gimmick, aesthetically, or just not being big enough to feel truly varied apart for one another (I'm pretty sure most of them are all square maps if I remember correctly). the gameplay itself is pretty solid even if it has been toned down with the ESRB rating. Calypso is a dickhead for pushing Axel in his wheelchair down a hill as a form of inviting him to the competition.
Ta bueno
Where Twisted Metal 3 and 4 shows the absolute worst case scenario of a Twisted Metal game without David Jaffe and his team, Twisted Metal Small Brawl shows what a PS1 sequel would've been WITH David Jaffe's team . . . but without David Jaffe.
The co-creator and lead director of Twisted Metal 1 and 2 initially came up with the idea of Small Brawl, but was not there for any of its development as he got caught up with pre-production for God of War. The rest of his team got to have fun providing a more delinquently themed--but less sinister--take of Twisted Metal, replacing the cars and venues with RC cars and suburban playgrounds.
It's a cute little idea! And it plays fine, but kinda wears out its theme and doesn't really do anything that interesting with it. Jaffe has expressed, if he were able to direct it, he would've done more with the environment and even include raunchier humor a-la "Porky's (1981)". But without David's edgier sense of humor, his team's natural direction is into something softer and more family friendly.
The co-creator and lead director of Twisted Metal 1 and 2 initially came up with the idea of Small Brawl, but was not there for any of its development as he got caught up with pre-production for God of War. The rest of his team got to have fun providing a more delinquently themed--but less sinister--take of Twisted Metal, replacing the cars and venues with RC cars and suburban playgrounds.
It's a cute little idea! And it plays fine, but kinda wears out its theme and doesn't really do anything that interesting with it. Jaffe has expressed, if he were able to direct it, he would've done more with the environment and even include raunchier humor a-la "Porky's (1981)". But without David's edgier sense of humor, his team's natural direction is into something softer and more family friendly.
i joke about Twisted Metal 3 and 4 becoming much more infantilized and focus on doing unfunny jokes that actually making a fun experience, but then comes this game where its actual goal is turning the series into a family friendly version of itself
but its actually good and well made!
the gameplay is actually made by its original devs, which returns the tight and excellent controls alongside fun arenas to fight despite looking like Toy Story 2 levels
and despite attempting the same type of juvenile humor as the previous PSX games, it comes off way more charming and nuance
all and all, even by itself if you have no prior experience to the series, this is a very fun game
but its actually good and well made!
the gameplay is actually made by its original devs, which returns the tight and excellent controls alongside fun arenas to fight despite looking like Toy Story 2 levels
and despite attempting the same type of juvenile humor as the previous PSX games, it comes off way more charming and nuance
all and all, even by itself if you have no prior experience to the series, this is a very fun game