Review: Twisted Metal (2012)

It’s been 10 years since we last laid hands on a Twisted Metal title. Now Playstation’s longest running franchise is finally back, this time on the PS3.

More than 16 million copies of Twisted Metal games have sold over the years. It has a huge fan following, one of the reason’s creator director David Jaffe admitted to us last summer that he was a little worried about how fans would react to an updated version of the classic vehicular combat title. After completing it we can say Jaffe’s fears were legitimate. Most fans will just be happy to be reunited with Sweet Tooth and the gang but some will expect more from this long-awaited title.

If you’re new to the franchise the concept behind Twisted Metal is quite simple. A tortured soul named Calypso holds a contest where you get behind the wheel of a vehicle and fight to the death. Those who survive the death match are promised a wish; anything their heart desires. At least that’s what is promised to contestants who all have their reasons for laying everything on the line.

The latest entry follows the story of three characters. You’ll play the role of Sweet Tooth, Mr. Grimm and Dollface through the single player story mode. Single player for the most part is quite beautifully executed. Frighteningly realistic live action cutscenes will give you glimpses into the back stories of the characters, revealing how they turned into who they are and why they have chosen to risk it all to be in the Twisted Metal contest. Be warned, if you have small children make sure they are not in the room when you are playing this game! These stories are very mature and contain disturbing images and language. There is a reason this game has a mature rating! That being said the stories are so well told you can’t help but want to finish the story mode just to see how they all end. In fact, you’ll be left asking yourself why more characters weren’t included in the main campaign.

While the characters have their own signature vehicles, you can drive any vehicle you choose once they have been unlocked. As you progress through the competition you’ll gain access to a variety of vehicles each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The heavy armoured vehicles will be needed in the combat competitions while the lighter more agile vehicles will be used for the death races. The introduction of Talon III half-way through the campaign will be the most controversial. The helicopter has a sticky reticule which allows you to lock onto a target then unload a full clip on it, destroying many of the vehicles in seconds. It also has higher mobility as it can fly. That being said on my first play through I never had to rely on Talon to get me through the campaign. It’s fun to fly but not a necessity.

The nice thing about Twisted metal is each competition is a bit different form the one before it. Sure they may have the same goal, destroy all the other vehicles in a death match or be the first to cross the finish line, but each time you encounter that same competition there is a slight twist. The game feels fairly fresh right until the end.

What doesn’t feel fresh is the play mechanics which can feel old and outdated.. The pinball physics are absolutely ridiculous and lead to plenty of frustration. When you get hit by an enemy your vehicle often will soar into the air, spinning you around in another direction. There’s a good chance once you land you will get hit yet again, sending you soaring in another direction. Once the dust settles you will find yourself at the back of the pack, hopelessly in last place with little to no chance of catching up. This happens over and over again especially in the race levels. There are many instances where I had to walk away from the game just to contain my frustration and prevent a controller-tossing hissy fit.

Bosses can be quite unforgiving. You’ll know what I mean once you reach the final two foes. It’s one thing to figure out how to damage them, it’s another to actually pull it off. The hit detection can be sloppy. One time your hit will be detected and the next…nothing. You’ll know what I mean when you hit clown pinball.

Multiplayer is what fans will probably get the most joy out of. You will be treated to the standard team-based death match and elimination modes but one of the most interesting modes is Hunted where everyone teams up against one vehicle. You only get points for destroying the target vehicle while the targeted vehicle gets points for destroying everyone else. It’s fun to play especially with the right group of people.

Twisted Metal certainly was a juggernaut in the 90′s and a decade later the fun factor still remains. The environments are huge, the storylines entertaining and the gameplay for the most part is fun. Yes, you can expect frustration with the physics and disappointment in the limited storyline but overall Twisted Metal delivers.

The Good

Creepy live action cutscenes
Massive environments
Cool vehicles
Bonus game Twisted Metal: Black included!

The Bad

Pinball physics
Limited storyline