Twisted Metal
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Eat Sleep Play
Genre: Racing Action
Number of Players: 1-16
Release Date: US: February 14, 2012
MSRP: $59.99
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Available on: PS3
Controls
Steer – Left Stick
Free Look/Reverse – Right stick
Sharp Turn – X
Toggle Standard/Alt Fire – Triangle
Brake/Reverse – Circle/Double Tap Circle
Gas/Turbo – Square/Double Tap Square
Turbo Dash – Shake Sixaxis controller
Cycle Weapons – L1 and R1
Jump – L1 + R1
Fire Main Weapon – R2
Fire Side Arm – L2
Freeze – Directional Buttons Up
Mine – Directional Buttons Left
Rear Fire – Directional Buttons Down
Shield – Directional Buttons Right
Change Target – Click Right Stick
How it Plays
As you can see from the controller instructions every button on the controller is utilized to some degree. I also did not include the instructions for the Talon (helicopter) and Juggernaut (large semi). The game is unforgiving to this generations seemingly approach of streamlining experiences for a larger audience. Twisted Metal controls like the older games and demands some time before they become second nature. It took me about 15 minutes before it all clicked, but once it did I found the controls extremely responsive and had no troubles executing the commands I wanted. Only had issues with some of the auto targeting of the weapons, but with such a fast paced game as this; definitely commendable what the developers accomplished in the controls.
The Experience
Right from the start, the single player experience starts differently from previous Twisted Metal title. You choose your difficulty and then a cinematic starts; you do not get to choose your combatant. The story starts with Sweet Tooth, then Mr. Grimm and finally Doll Face. Each chapter has about 8 events and a mid chapter and final cutscene. The events vary from typical deathmatch, endurance (survival mode), cage matches, races and various other goals and surprises. Before most matches, you choose up to three vehicles. You do not have lives as in previous twisted metal games, but instead, three vehicles and when you find yourself in danger, quickly find some health or head to the garage (wrench icon) and switch vehicles. Your damaged vehicle in the garage will slowly regenerate. Boss battles and races only give you one vehicle to conquer the challenge.
The battles are hectic, fast paced and the opponents for the most seem to be only focused on you. The environments are very destructible, vary greatly and some have definite surprises and demand exploration. Initially the game felt like every other twisted metal, drive fast, get pickups, shoot, do a tight turn 180 and shoot some more. It was once I got to a certain race event that the game really started to feel like an updated car combat game. I was speeding through the course, jumping hills, driving through houses all while a dozen rocket streams flew pass me and untold amounts of gunfire – this is car combat insanity and I couldn’t help but crack a smile at everything that was going on at once. Other events are a miss and some of the bosses hit real levels of frustration though, certain segments of Doll Faces final battle definitely come to mind.
This all punctuated by a very varying and old school music soundtrack. Tracks vary from heavy metal, rock, hip/hop and more. Chasing down enemies while NWA is playing wouldn’t be my first choice but it is a right one. They chose well for the tracks. The sound effects are also solid. Tires screech, missile launch, bullets roar and everything hits metal convincingly.
Story
Twisted Metal series always generally had a fighting game style of storytelling. Pick a character see an opening, beat the game and see that specific characters ending (with a twist!). As mentioned before there is no choice in who you are. The games cinematics feature real actors in obvious green screen rooms; think Sin City with a more vibrant use of colors. The stories themselves are mostly bad, but I did like Mr Grimms ending. The scenes though are not helped by the actors mediocre skill at their craft. The three characters stories where suppose to be related somehow but I did not get that impression. Overall visually it was a treat to look the cutscenes themselves range from laughable to decent. There are also a few epilogues that can keep this story going for some more games.
Multiplayer
This is where the games really shines. The single player is just a warm up and an extended training session for the real reason why you should be playing this game, the multiplayer. Supporting up to 16 players, I unfortunately did have some difficulties matchmaking but was able to put some extensive time into this portion. There are a few different modes (I do wish for more) but Team DeathMatch and Nuke is where I spent most of my time. The network performed well, other than actually getting into games, but once in everything was smooth and the action is just as hectic as the singleplayer. Overall the game is balanced but like most fighters there are some obvious power picks and weaker choices for beginner to intermediate players. Darkside and Talon can be forces to be reckoned with and smaller vehicles like Reaper and Crimson Fury can go down in a few well placed hits. Teamwork pays off in this game and few well coordinated players can clean up the opposition. Headset recommended.
Final Thoughts
Twisted Metal was one of the first games I owned for the original Playstation console. At its core, not much has changed but it also does not have to. The pace and action of this game is demanding and always has been. It is a hardcore gamers type of experience and also unforgiving in what it is. This is Twisted Metal, you dive in with no seatbelt and helmet, training wheels are not an option here. Enjoy the single player and stay for the multiplayer
This Review was written after about 5 hours of the story mode and 8+ hours of multiplayer play on a PS3.
The WellPlayed crew gathers to pitch an appropriately deranged set of options for the future of Twisted Metal.
All I ask for is a new Twisted Metal that allows flat screen & PSVR2 cross play that also supports a wheel.
Would be heaven.
They need to get the enemy AI balance right. Thats what made 2 the best in the series. Black was abysmal in that dept.
You don't. Do sequels. If you've gotta reboot, might as well do a new IP. God of War is the only game I can say that did a successful reboot
Isn’t the new GoW just a sequel technically?
I personally think they can leverage the roots of the series. The original TM in 1995 took place on Christmas Eve 2005, and it was the 10th contest in history. Why not “reboot” the franchise by making a prequel of sorts showing the origin story of the series and maybe linking all the future games in a brilliant way. Seems like such an obvious idea to leverage old with the new (kind of look how Doom 2016 did with its lore).
David Jaffe says he doesn’t believe a new game is in the works; “I haven’t heard a thing".
That doesn't take anything away from his accomplishments. He still created the franchise along with Scott Campbell. If a new game is made he should at least be brought on as a consultant.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sony has cut ties with Jaffe considering how pro-XBOX and Gamepas (bordering shill level) he has been in recent times. I mean he is known for speaking his mind (to his detriment at times) but he hasn't learned that a certain etiquette is needed in this line of business in order to keep relationships alive. That said, I don't know why he would be surprised if Sony went ahead and revived this IP without him.
@Ultra
As Jaffe has said, Sony came to him and connected him with the people creating the Twisted Metal show. They obviously wanted and valued his input. It would make no sense to not seek the same if they were planning to make a game as well.
Regardless of him praising Game Pass, he still maintains good relations with Sony. When his PSN account was auto-banned Sony reached out to apologize and said it shouldn't have happened. That doesn't sound like a company that wants to cut ties.
@porkchop
For the record, I'm a fan of his work and generally his opinions, and follow him on both Twitter and youtube. Now, I'm not saying they should cut ties with him, actually, they would do well if they seek his advice if they ever decide to revive TM. What I'm saying is that I will not be surprised if they actually have, seeing how critical he has been with Sony lately. He would go on how good Phil is and praised Gamepass while taking jabs at Sony for not having something similar. He was so into it sometimes that I couldn't help but wonder what would Sony execs who came across his content would do.
The whole PSN ban thing is irrelevant to the point I'm trying to make since he was more or less treated as any other customer and helped solve that. (being a public figure with an audience obviously helped speed up the process).
Disagree strongly. His last attempt at a Twisted Metal game was a miserable failure and he was basically given full control.
Jaffe has been overrated for a long, long time. He never grew.
The thing is, when a product is developed for a company, that company owns that product, regardless of who created it. If the individual who created said product is no longer part of the team, they no longer have any more to do with any future products created under that IP than anyone else who's no longer part of the team.
There is prestige in being the creator of a popular franchise, but that really only amounts to people knowing that individual created that franchise. Sure, Sony could look Jaffe up if they really wanted him back, but they're well within their right to not do so, and one of their studios could create a new Twisted Metal regardless.
@Unknown
No one said a new studio can't make the game though. I think people are misunderstanding what Jaffe is saying. He'd just like to know a new game is in the works and consult/talk with the devs about the new game and their direction.
It's no different than the new God of War. Kratos moving to norse mythology wasn't Cory Barlog's idea. That was Jaffe's. Jaffe talked about it during God of War - Game Directors Live back in 2011. Jaffe consulted with Barlog on the new game, they bounced ideas back and forth, and it led to an incredible game.
He has worked on the majority of the Twisted Metal games and made the last one in 2012 and is consulting on the TV show. The article doesn't mention it but in the video he says he thinks if there is a game they didn't tell him about it's most likely a mobile or short game related to the tv show and not a full fledged Twisted Metal game. He has said in previous videos about a Twisted Metal sequel that he doesn't think Sony will make it because they wouldn't make enough money for the cost of a next gen AAA game. The only way it would work was if it's full of micro transactions and online only and the fans wouldn't want that type of Twisted Metal.
IF a new game is in the works (I hope so), I don't care if Jaffe is part of it or not. There are a lot of talented game directors out there. Twisted Metal might be his baby, but Jaffe isn't a guarantee lock in developing the best version.
Id take remakes of the first two games at this point. PS5 needs games. Twisted metal was always one of my favorite franchises. They just focus on these big story heavy single player games, its so limiting. They need to spread it out make some smaller games why not remake the classics like twisted metal 2?
Ps5 has more Exclusives compared to its Immediate competition. If you are complaining about lack of games then you need to keep the same energy. The pandemic has also clearly affected the gaming industry and games in their early to mid development have been severely disrupted. This isn't only a 'Sony' thing. I know it's frustrating with Sony not having a ps5 future showcase event, but the silence doesn't mean they are in trouble or dont have any games in development. You'd be lying if you say there aren't any, Herman Hulst has already made it clear on the number in the works.
It's almost as if people forget about Sony's output in 2020, which was phenomenal:
Final fantasy remake
Dreams
Tlou 2
Ghost of tsushima
Miles morales
Astro bot
Sackboy
Demons Souls
13 Sentinels
Then 2021
Ratchet and clank rift apart
Returnal
Kena
Deathloop
Ghost dlc
I dont think they could've done a better job with game releases thus far, especially for the ps5.
The system has been out for 9 months and a pandemic has slowed development of games, you can't expect them to have a bunch of new games just yet.
Honestly, he paid for the system, he can expect whatever he wants. The only reason I'm content with Microsoft is Gamepass has been phenominal. Without Gamepass, I'd feel like I wasted my money.
Exactly - most everyone has applauded the torch exchange from Jaffe to Barlog with the God of War franchise. The originals still hold strong as pillars of gaming history, but Barlog has advanced the series forward with new breath and vision after its stagnation. I'd be absolutely fine with Twisted Metal given new vision IF handed to the right talent.
Jaffe is all over the place now. Whenever he gets brought up it’s on some weird shit. I wouldn’t blame Sony for leaving him out of the mix even though I still respect his older works.
Well his "revival" of the franchise sucked out loud, so not sure what he expects.
Movies and TV shows based off of video games are forming their own niche in the entertainment world, especially with major productions like Uncharted and Borderlands. This will continue in the form of the Twisted Metal TV series, which is being produced by PlayStation for an unconfirmed release date.
"Movies and TV shows based off of video games are forming their own niche in the entertainment world"
Soooo, exactly how long has this writer been living under a rock?
No matter how good or bad this series sounds, I would still rather have a new game instead.
Same, but hopefully this generates enough likewise thinking so we end up with one.
I just hope the Mp issues get ironed out by this week.
Great review!
Games a 10. Why can't people just see what I see in Twisted Metal? Way to take off points for normal launch week online issues that will be fixed soon. Online a 7? Get thaat crap out of here. The online is top notch, greatest multiplayer I've ever played.
Sorry for bitching about your opinion. I just love this game to death and don't understand where all the average review scores are coming from. I'd like to write a Twisted Metal review of my own and It's definitely getting a 10.