An almost unbelievably strong and face-changing revolution for what is a considerably humble car combat series. Twisted Metal: Black attacked early PS2 owners with air-tight game design, rock-solid 60 fps performance, and gigantic levels full of nightmarish atmosphere glazed with oppressive orchestras that perfectly hammer down how horrible and bleak this world is.

The story itself lugs its share of the weight too! This is the Twisted Metal game that keeps the basis of the story intact, but dropped the goofy vibes of 1 and 2. You still got crazed racers with a monkey's paw-esque opportunity to change their lives, but no longer are they stories of vain assholes looking for fame or fortune, but downtrodden victims of mental destruction merely looking for peace from their life, or pure revenge.

This game scared the absolute shit out of me when I was 11, and I never forgot that. It's also tough-as-nails with its razor-sharp AI that go rabid as soon as you get near them, as well as the pits they threw you in throughout the campaign. The story is what shines the most for me, as the tales were enthralling and really made you connect (or completely fear) the character you would play as.

For those without a PS2 to play it, the PS4 port is a mostly fine experience, slight input lag aside.