My cousin bought this game thinking it was Mortal Kombat, but it was actually a fun destruction game.
Twisted Metal isn't mentioned a lot today but ten years ago this was a clssic on every console owner's shelf. I loved the cheats and the creative maps are still burned into my memory. Co-op was amazing. Nothing like completely destroying each other with cars over and over.
This is the best Twisted Metal game that I've played by a significant margin, especially on a mechanical level. The overly dark tone and atmosphere of the game come off as a bit edgy nowadays, but they were at least trying something new and creative. The writing is pretty decent, and the characters have enough depth to keep you invested. It hasn't aged super-well, but if you can stand its faux-horror posturing, this is still probably the best car-combat game out there.
This is one of the first games that me and my dad played together back when i was young ( cool parent by the way ) so there are a lot of memories with it. I remember unlocking all the characters and getting its secrets.
"I wanted him to remove the part of my brain that made me so sad when i took a human life"
Bro...
"I was out like the dying heartbeat of a little girl."
Holy Fuck dude what the-
"I think Benny would have understood."
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uUT8eqsWSPc&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Bro...
"I was out like the dying heartbeat of a little girl."
Holy Fuck dude what the-
"I think Benny would have understood."
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uUT8eqsWSPc&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Twisted Metal made the jump to the PS2 with grace. Went back to the basics and doubled down on the sadistic nature of the series. Its not hard to argue this has the best gameplay and atmosphere of the series. It pulled no punches.
Such an amazing comeback for a franchise. Seriously disturbing and satisfying action game. If like cars blowing each other up, it's a must play.
Very funny to imagine the Blackfield Asylum staff just watching Calypso busting every inmate out, one by one.
Haven't played this since I was a wee child, I think. Still a great game, although the over-the-top look-at-me edginess is less interesting now; biggest flaw is how repetitive the stories are. I get they were going for a grimdark thing, such was the style at the time, and that's fine, don't even totally dislike it, but jeez, how many different ways can you iterate on "they went cuh-raaa-zy, and now they want revenge about it." Too much revenge!
"We are trapped in his head."
Haven't played this since I was a wee child, I think. Still a great game, although the over-the-top look-at-me edginess is less interesting now; biggest flaw is how repetitive the stories are. I get they were going for a grimdark thing, such was the style at the time, and that's fine, don't even totally dislike it, but jeez, how many different ways can you iterate on "they went cuh-raaa-zy, and now they want revenge about it." Too much revenge!
"We are trapped in his head."
this game is fucking HARD but still fun
God, i love this games character designs, there's so much personality in the whole thing. The character select thing is probably my favorite in a video game, and i love it when a game gives me something new to enjoy about it, before this one i wasn't even really thinking about notable select screens in video games.
The way that you have all these characters with their own personalized cars that compliment or contrast their personalities and designs is just fantastic, i miss games like these where you just have those rosters full of unique weirdos that you don't necessarily have to know anything about, hero shooters do that but they rarely create an aesthetic that's anywhere near as charming as this one. The asylum setting is both interesting and offputting. I like how every character has a story behind what sent them to the same location, and what compels them to escape.
Unfortunately the gameplay is not my cup of tea at all, it's absurdly fast, slippery, hectic, and just difficult to pay attention to. I love looking at this game, couldn't care less about playing it.
The way that you have all these characters with their own personalized cars that compliment or contrast their personalities and designs is just fantastic, i miss games like these where you just have those rosters full of unique weirdos that you don't necessarily have to know anything about, hero shooters do that but they rarely create an aesthetic that's anywhere near as charming as this one. The asylum setting is both interesting and offputting. I like how every character has a story behind what sent them to the same location, and what compels them to escape.
Unfortunately the gameplay is not my cup of tea at all, it's absurdly fast, slippery, hectic, and just difficult to pay attention to. I love looking at this game, couldn't care less about playing it.
I thought this franchise was super cool so I bout this game at the local gamestop, they put a twisted metal black online disk inside, needless to say I didn't get to experience this game :(
A cool reboot of a great, old franchise.
It was a good return from 4 but i never completed with all the characters still a great game though
A drastic tonal departure results in some of the franchise's most iconic imagery and characters. Most of what the franchise is today is because of the risks this game took. I hesitate to say it's one of the best games on the PS2 but it's certainly one of my favorites on the system.
This review contains spoilers
I'm battening the hatches as I know there's a lot of die-hard fans of this installation who insist it's the best in the series, but my opinions are mine to wield no matter how poorly.
When people say a game is 'a product of its time', it often comes with all sorts of connotations. To me, this game is a product of its time in multiple ways and the context to understanding that is crucial. For those less versed in the clown game, this was the game David Jaffe (the original TM guy) and his crew got to make... AFTER 3 and 4, made by a different company of no relation who infamously made the game's initial bite completely toothless, forgoing the dark humor of the popular TM2 with extremely childish jokes like Sweet Tooth needing a dentist from too much candy, having a stage set in the North Pole with Santa's workshop or an angry cartoonish leprechaun who wants to be tall. So... What is the answer to having the reigns back on your franchise and wanting to prove that you should be taken seriously again? Shove in as MUCH murder and shock factor as humanly possible!
No, really. The first thing you're going to notice upon looking at our new cast is that they're in an asylum (Because crazy people are soooo scary! And speaking of being a product of its time, the unlockable child character is listed as having autism in his diagnoses like it justifies him being as 'crazy' as the others, lol.) and many of them are chomping at the bit for bloody revenge of some sort and this new mute bald Calypso who is often surprisingly honest with his wishes, which is the interesting polar opposite of how he was portrayed in all games prior, is just the guy to do it.
You're therefore going to see a LOT of 'I need this person(s) dead because reasons' motives that will often come perfectly true in grisly fashions and if that isn't their motive, chances are your driver will end up being the one dead because we need that body count. In particular, the character Preacher wanted the truth to his delusions that drove him to kill a baby and its family and upon finding out what he thought was a demonic possession/exorcism was merely a baptism and the demon was him all along, he takes this information well by... saying a man cannot run from himself and throws himself off the roof in suicide. You even hear him hitting a car after he falls while the screen cuts to black and credits. Shock value, I tell you. One interesting thing this game does do right for its aesthetic though is its soundtrack; past TM games were very 90s in their shredding guitars and 3-4 were full of licensed tunes by alternative artists of the time like Rob Zombie and One Minute Silence. This game forgoes both and instead goes for a deep, booming metal orchestral sound that helps sell the tension and unease you're meant to feel throughout the gameplay and story.
Not to exclusively jammer about corny edge and the early 2000s, the real reason I don't like this game and other people do. I sometimes think it's called Black because you cannot see SHIT. Even when I emulated it thinking I could get better quality than my tv and cranked up my screen brightness, save for the snow stage it's still personally extremely hard to make anything out for how dark the entire scenario tends to be with your only saving grace being the glowing around weapon pickups and colors showing which opponent car is which. Yet, not only is it dark... it's fast. If you came from earlier TM installments you practically have to hold onto your ass to keep control at the slippery speeds you fly to. Even in hindsight Jaffe and his team admit that because of their own tolerance levels rising as it went through testing, they cranked the speed higher and higher until it wound up at this point. Another thing past TM players might notice is the sheer ruthlessness of the AI - compared to before where the cars often went at each other as you'd expect in an elimination derby, THESE guys want YOU gone and the moment you're in their sights you had better be moving because they're on you like rabid dogs. This also isn't helped much for the balancing on the cars, making you feel like if you didn't pick the 'right' car (or be honest, used cheat codes) that you were just bound to make yourself miserable because your ride doesn't have enough armor to withstand the endless onslaught.
This paired with the aforementioned darkness and speed can provide some level of thrill that's surely what made it the classic it's considered, but perhaps a headache if you're not equipped for it. I know I can only play it for so long until my brain starts to ache, maybe I'm not built for this one and should hobble back to the baby fest that TM4 is. I think we can all agree that adding a helicopter boss in a game about ground level driving with tech that wasn't quite ready for that jump was rough though. Jesus christ.
TL;DR For 2002, this was rightfully a juggernaut slug that was meant to 'take back' Twisted Metal and put the pressure on. But in this day and age, as someone who's tried for ten years on and off to play this installation, it feels a bit too much too young too fast and overwhelming to the point of crossing the line between fun and obnoxious. I really do wish I could love this one as much as everyone else does.
When people say a game is 'a product of its time', it often comes with all sorts of connotations. To me, this game is a product of its time in multiple ways and the context to understanding that is crucial. For those less versed in the clown game, this was the game David Jaffe (the original TM guy) and his crew got to make... AFTER 3 and 4, made by a different company of no relation who infamously made the game's initial bite completely toothless, forgoing the dark humor of the popular TM2 with extremely childish jokes like Sweet Tooth needing a dentist from too much candy, having a stage set in the North Pole with Santa's workshop or an angry cartoonish leprechaun who wants to be tall. So... What is the answer to having the reigns back on your franchise and wanting to prove that you should be taken seriously again? Shove in as MUCH murder and shock factor as humanly possible!
No, really. The first thing you're going to notice upon looking at our new cast is that they're in an asylum (Because crazy people are soooo scary! And speaking of being a product of its time, the unlockable child character is listed as having autism in his diagnoses like it justifies him being as 'crazy' as the others, lol.) and many of them are chomping at the bit for bloody revenge of some sort and this new mute bald Calypso who is often surprisingly honest with his wishes, which is the interesting polar opposite of how he was portrayed in all games prior, is just the guy to do it.
You're therefore going to see a LOT of 'I need this person(s) dead because reasons' motives that will often come perfectly true in grisly fashions and if that isn't their motive, chances are your driver will end up being the one dead because we need that body count. In particular, the character Preacher wanted the truth to his delusions that drove him to kill a baby and its family and upon finding out what he thought was a demonic possession/exorcism was merely a baptism and the demon was him all along, he takes this information well by... saying a man cannot run from himself and throws himself off the roof in suicide. You even hear him hitting a car after he falls while the screen cuts to black and credits. Shock value, I tell you. One interesting thing this game does do right for its aesthetic though is its soundtrack; past TM games were very 90s in their shredding guitars and 3-4 were full of licensed tunes by alternative artists of the time like Rob Zombie and One Minute Silence. This game forgoes both and instead goes for a deep, booming metal orchestral sound that helps sell the tension and unease you're meant to feel throughout the gameplay and story.
Not to exclusively jammer about corny edge and the early 2000s, the real reason I don't like this game and other people do. I sometimes think it's called Black because you cannot see SHIT. Even when I emulated it thinking I could get better quality than my tv and cranked up my screen brightness, save for the snow stage it's still personally extremely hard to make anything out for how dark the entire scenario tends to be with your only saving grace being the glowing around weapon pickups and colors showing which opponent car is which. Yet, not only is it dark... it's fast. If you came from earlier TM installments you practically have to hold onto your ass to keep control at the slippery speeds you fly to. Even in hindsight Jaffe and his team admit that because of their own tolerance levels rising as it went through testing, they cranked the speed higher and higher until it wound up at this point. Another thing past TM players might notice is the sheer ruthlessness of the AI - compared to before where the cars often went at each other as you'd expect in an elimination derby, THESE guys want YOU gone and the moment you're in their sights you had better be moving because they're on you like rabid dogs. This also isn't helped much for the balancing on the cars, making you feel like if you didn't pick the 'right' car (or be honest, used cheat codes) that you were just bound to make yourself miserable because your ride doesn't have enough armor to withstand the endless onslaught.
This paired with the aforementioned darkness and speed can provide some level of thrill that's surely what made it the classic it's considered, but perhaps a headache if you're not equipped for it. I know I can only play it for so long until my brain starts to ache, maybe I'm not built for this one and should hobble back to the baby fest that TM4 is. I think we can all agree that adding a helicopter boss in a game about ground level driving with tech that wasn't quite ready for that jump was rough though. Jesus christ.
TL;DR For 2002, this was rightfully a juggernaut slug that was meant to 'take back' Twisted Metal and put the pressure on. But in this day and age, as someone who's tried for ten years on and off to play this installation, it feels a bit too much too young too fast and overwhelming to the point of crossing the line between fun and obnoxious. I really do wish I could love this one as much as everyone else does.
esse jogo me aterrorizava em tudo que ele apresentava quando era criança mas era bom DEMAIS, e a gameplay era insanamente divertida
not great
The gameplay wasn't doing much for me.
After dealing with what i can only describe as the hollywood adaptation of the series with 3 and 4, it feels fantastic seeing the series return to the style of 1 and 2
Grit, Grim, a bit mean-spirited and full of dark comedy, but this game is not a simple return to form in terms of aesthetics and style, the gameplay had an equally improved makeover, vast chaotic arenas full of destructible environments, civilians try to avoid the battle as you accidentally run them over during the heat of battle and helicopters giving aid which you can shot down to have an easier time to get their drops
the sole negative that pushes this game down is the fact that the troubled development, made the extra characters have barely presentable cutscenes for their endings, shame, because the finished ones are quite great
Despite that, This game simply fucks
Grit, Grim, a bit mean-spirited and full of dark comedy, but this game is not a simple return to form in terms of aesthetics and style, the gameplay had an equally improved makeover, vast chaotic arenas full of destructible environments, civilians try to avoid the battle as you accidentally run them over during the heat of battle and helicopters giving aid which you can shot down to have an easier time to get their drops
the sole negative that pushes this game down is the fact that the troubled development, made the extra characters have barely presentable cutscenes for their endings, shame, because the finished ones are quite great
Despite that, This game simply fucks
ITS NOT A PHASE MOM! ass tone change. Critical lack of silliness.
Great fun, way ahead of its time.
Literally the edgiest game I have ever played and I love it so much for that.
A dark disturbing take on the series, twisted metal black is one of the best out of left field turns in video game history. Gone is the colorful dark humor of the first games, now we have a bleak industrial atmosphere and characters that could all get there own horror movie.
I really can’t get enough of this games world and characters. Each member of the roster is incredibly unique and disturbing in their own way. Even from their short arcade mode cutscenes you are able to get a pretty good understanding of each of them.
As I said before all these stories could probably have there own movie yet their brief vague nature kinda leaves more mystery. If your into creepy short horror stories you’ll get a lot out of these cutscenes.
The dark hellish landscapes and the never ending black and gray color pallet greatly benefits the tone as well. Add a soundtrack that sounds like dark ambient mixed with industrial and you have a very strong atmosphere.
Finally the gameplay seems to be the most mixed aspect. it’s like the first two games but a lot faster and way more difficult. This chaotic unforgiving gameplay I think benefits what it’s trying to go for as a whole, yet I can understand why people might be turned off by it. I’d suggest take some time learning the use of each power up, memorize the maps and get used to your drivers controls. It’s certainly a difficult game and takes lots of getting used to but I always liked this approach especially with this game in context. Quite literally feels like you’re fighting to the death in vehicles disguised as death machines.
Sad Depressing Edgy Clown Game
5/5
A dark disturbing take on the series, twisted metal black is one of the best out of left field turns in video game history. Gone is the colorful dark humor of the first games, now we have a bleak industrial atmosphere and characters that could all get there own horror movie.
I really can’t get enough of this games world and characters. Each member of the roster is incredibly unique and disturbing in their own way. Even from their short arcade mode cutscenes you are able to get a pretty good understanding of each of them.
As I said before all these stories could probably have there own movie yet their brief vague nature kinda leaves more mystery. If your into creepy short horror stories you’ll get a lot out of these cutscenes.
The dark hellish landscapes and the never ending black and gray color pallet greatly benefits the tone as well. Add a soundtrack that sounds like dark ambient mixed with industrial and you have a very strong atmosphere.
Finally the gameplay seems to be the most mixed aspect. it’s like the first two games but a lot faster and way more difficult. This chaotic unforgiving gameplay I think benefits what it’s trying to go for as a whole, yet I can understand why people might be turned off by it. I’d suggest take some time learning the use of each power up, memorize the maps and get used to your drivers controls. It’s certainly a difficult game and takes lots of getting used to but I always liked this approach especially with this game in context. Quite literally feels like you’re fighting to the death in vehicles disguised as death machines.
Sad Depressing Edgy Clown Game
5/5
Really fun game with a unique dark atmosphere. One of the best character selection screens I've ever seen. Playing through each character is very fun! I hope more games like this are made.
o palhaço é literalmente nós
sweet tooth is scary as sfuck
Try that shit on my Axel, idiot. His legs might not work, but his wheels do.
This game has a very clear vision of what it is and what it wants to be, and I have nothing but respect for that. The maps can be a bit TOO visually drab (yes i know WHY the game has the aesthetic and look that it does), which kinda hurts it for me compared to Head-On, but the fascinating stories for every character makes it worth it. Needles/Sweet Tooth's VA should get more work because god damn dude.
What is even going on..
7.5/10
7.5/10
5 kırmızı Tuborg adamın aklını böyle SİKER ATAR
Tried to give this game a chance, but just couldn't get past the controls. Also got bored pretty quick of the derby style gameplay sicne you have to pretty much chip away at everyone here & there if you don't want to die.