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I'm often met with blank stares when I describe how excited I am for the new Twisted Metal. I understand that it's been over a decade since the last game in the main series, but by most accounts, Twisted Metal Black was great game. And for some reason, there are a lot of naysayers out there doubting the need for a car combat game these days. This is strange to me -- so if you are one of these people, please post why in the comments. I not only think that the new Twisted Metal has a place, but that the large vacation this genre has had is even more a reason to put this game on your radar. If I come off sounding overly positive about a game that hasn't even be released yet, it's because I've played various versions and modes at nearly every trade show I've been to over the past 2 years. And by "play", I mean hopping back in line a dozen times to try the game again and again. I'm already in love with this game, so I've listed some reasons why below. I hope this convinces some of you to join my insane clown... flock... of killer death vehicles.
The Vehicles and Weapons
Twisted Metal has always been a little off its rocker, but Jaffe and company seem to have upped the ante this time around with the vehicles and special weapoms. Newcomers include a helicopter with a junkyard style magnetic lift and a Spy Hunter inspired 18 wheeler that can house two other player's cars who can then hop on its mounted turrets. Sweet Tooth's ice cream truck returns with a ridiculous flying mecha mode and Grimm's motorcycle can now launch chainsaws that are charged up by doing wheelies and dragging them on the ground. Other special attacks include remote controlled explosive gurneys with live victims, giant hood mounted super magnets that can suck in other vehicles, and even the return of Axel's Oreo cookie of death mode. There really isn't other multiplayer games out there with so much variety in selectable characters or classes, with the possible exception being fighting games. But that's what I love about Twisted Metal -- each vehicle controls and plays so differently, that learning a vehicle is more akin to mastering a fighting game character than selecting a different weapon load-out in a shooter. Here's some footage of a few of the characters.
The Level Design
Great level design might be the most forgotten part of what makes Twisted Metal so fun. New levels include a game show style death arena with levels that move up and down, a theme park where every ride is a potential battleground, a city level the size of an old Battlefield map, and the return of the classic rooftop stage. Except this time the main skyscraper has a giant spinning roof. But these levels are really something special because of the destruction. Plenty of other games have destruction, but no game does it quite like Twisted Metal. That's because secrets are so heavily tied into the destructible environments. Dozens of hidden pathways and power-ups are lurking behind nearly every destructible surface. And nearly every environment in Twisted Metal contains large scale destructible set-pieces that dramatically alter the map. Classic examples include shooting down the Eiffel Tower in Twisted 2 which allowed access to the rooftops, or the 747 that could be shot down in Black and crash into the battlefield opening up a whole secret underground area. Good secrets are hard to come by in most games these day, and they are all but absent in the competitive multiplayer arena. Twisted Metal aims to remind us why we should have missed them. Check out this video of Salughterdale and revel in the destruction and secrets.
The Multiplayer
That's right, it has been 10 years since Twisted Metal dipped its toes into the online pool, and a lot has happened in multiplayer gaming since then. And from the looks of all the new online modes and features, Eat Sleep Play has learned a lot. I've played a lot of the new Twisted Metal, and I can assure you, the days of the simple death match are over. Twisted Metal on PS3 is a team game, and the new Nuke mode is definitely the highlight. Think capture the flag, but instead of a flag, players will be capturing enemy leaders, dragging them behind their vehicles, flinging them into missile launchers, and piloting those launched missiles towards the opposing team's giant floating statue. That's one point -- rinse and repeat. This mode is fast, crazy, and surprisingly original. The vehicles also feel well tuned team play in general. The helicopter's lift can be used to get slow moving death dealers to higher places, the 18 wheeler can be used to transport and protect weaker vehicles, and the tow truck can be used to drop much needed health pickups for teammates. A lot of balancing is going to be needed to ensure these vehicles play nice with each other, but it's obvious Twisted Metal is finally becoming the multiplayer focused game it has always meant to be. Oh, and for all of you non competitive types, the game supports off and online co-op through the campaign.
The Hidden Depth
Car combat games might seem shallow on the surface, but Twisted Metal has been sneaking deeper mechanics into the series for well over a decade. At a first glace the differences are obvious. Some vehicles move faster while others have more health, right? But did you know what some vehicles jump higher than others? That some are are more energy efficient with the energy specials than other vehicles? Did you know that mines can not only be launched at and stuck to other players now, but that if that player rams into another at a high enough speeds that the mine will transfer to the other player? That in Nuke mode weaker vehicles sacrifice enemy leaders much faster than armored ones? That not only does every vehicles have two specials, but most specials have 2 or 3 different damage options? Meat Wagon's explosive patient can be shot out normally, can be steered and detonated at will by the player, or can be steered directly into an enemy. All of these will do different amounts of damage as well. Road Boat's magnet can be used to suck up and fling enemies at walls, but if you ram into that same wall with the vehicles still attached, it does way more damage. Twisted Metal has always been very pick-up and play, but it's this depth that will keep me (and hopefully some of you all) coming back for more.
The Speed
God I love how fast Twisted Metal moves. I've often argued with Nick why I think Vigilante 8 sucks, and my answer is always the same. They tried to put in realistic driving physics. Twisted Metal isn't a driving game -- it's Quake on wheels. If these vehicles were weighted down with realistic physics, one bad turn would grind the fun to a halt. Who wants to be a sitting duck in a match with 15 other players? Twisted Metal lets you go 0 to 60 in no time. Jumping from roof to roof is fun and easy when you don't have to worry about building up speed. It lets the player focus more on killing and less on avoiding small bumps in the road. Thankfully, the new Twisted Metal retains all of the speed the series is known for.
The Chase
The biggest difference between Twisted Metal and other online shooters is the most obvious. In Twisted Metal, you are a vehicle. And because the weapons and health pickups are spread out all over the very large levels, survival literally becomes a high speed chase. And while this race to pickups still exists in a few other multiplayer shooters these days, encounters in them rarely last more than a few seconds -- and more often than not, the person who lands first shot wins the skirmish. Because vehicles in Twisted Metal have large amounts of health, a typical encounter plays out quite differently. One player might be on the tail of another, but if the player being chased hits a health pick-up, snags a powerful weapon, or recharges his special attack; a quick 180 and suddenly the hunted becomes the hunter. This high speed back-and-forth is why car combat games feel so different, and why it is silly that people feel there is no place for them in this multiplayer generation.
So everyone go dump your boyfriends, girlfriends, fiances, and spouses; and come play Twisted Metal with me when it releases on Valentine's Day. I'll love you forever!
Comments
12 years, 10 months ago
I absolutely agree, Brad. Most of my friends always look at me weird when I say I am looking forward to this game. Then again, most of my friends are JRPG nuts, so whatever. Twisted Metal was fun as hell when I was a kid, playing over at my neighbor's house and eating pizza and shit. I don't know about anyone else, but on February 14th, I'm ordering pizza, and reliving my god damn childhood with the new Twisted Metal.
12 years, 10 months ago
I'd love to but I can't afford a PS3 at this time. :(
12 years, 10 months ago
Twisted Metal II is one of my all-time favorites, so I've been interested to see how the new game turns out. I have to say I'm quite impressed by the gameplay videos, it looks like they got it right. Too bad I don't have a PS3.
12 years, 10 months ago
Nice post Brad. I agree super hyped for the new Twisted Metal.
I am most excited about the team aspect of the game. Curious to see how people work together after the game has been out a couple of weeks and people start learning the ropes.
12 years, 10 months ago
welp, you just sold me on it brad. been thinking about pre ordering it but these vids and your recommendation are strong evidence this games gonna be fucking sick. but one thing, if ive never played a game in the series is it gonna matter? I wouldnt think it would be just out of curiosity, i know there is a learning curve involved.
12 years, 10 months ago
Been looking forward to this for some time myself!
Cannot wait for the release, especially as it'll be my lady-friend buying it for me... (She has no idea what she is getting herself into...)
12 years, 10 months ago
I've been jones-ing for a while now. I'll be ready to cruise around and hose dudes when the time comes.
12 years, 10 months ago
I missed Twisted Metal... after all of the videos and previews I've read, it's a renewed fire for me. I've played all the twisted metals and the latest one: Twisted Metal: Black was my favorite one. The mechanics of this game was always well made. It had the (before online multiplayer existed) offline deathmatches that never got old, well balanced weapons, each car had its perks and disadvantages, the levels were always amazing, Twisted Metal: Black actually had a nice storyline for each character, etc.
To say the least, I can't wait to play this game when it comes out :)
12 years, 10 months ago
About damn time we had a new vehicular combat game. I'll put my PS3 to good use.
12 years, 10 months ago
I'm not all that excited for this Twisted Metal. For one its a PS3 exclusive so I'm already out. Another is that I'm just not much of a car person. I played the demo of Renegade Ops, it was good, but all around not my style.
I don't think this will be a bad game. It's that I can't get my hands on it. Another thing I would ask myself is would it be worth getting when I do get a PS3, regardless that its not in my comfort zone?
All I can do is hope for the best of Twisted Metal. It's ideas are cool, but I feel iffy about getting pumped for a game I can't buy.
12 years, 10 months ago
Buying it day one, love me some twisted metal.
12 years, 10 months ago
This game is gonna be great. I feel it in my fingahtips
12 years, 10 months ago
sooooo excited!! twisted metal 4 was my favorite, along with the original.
12 years, 10 months ago
Yes, payed off my pre-order a while back. Thank god I get to play it before its actual release date, thanks to my store giving anyone who pre-ordered their game a month earlier to get there game a day early!
12 years, 10 months ago
I was a big fan of Twisted metal back in the day, had some good times playing them on the PS1 with my buddies a long time ago, my main fear is whether or not the multiplayer will be able to hold out, of course if the single player material is as solid as they make it sound it may not be that big of a deal.
12 years, 10 months ago
Thank you for the article, its really gotten me excited for some sweet Twisted Metal.
12 years, 10 months ago
I'm going to play so goddamn much of this game.
12 years, 10 months ago
Fuck my GF I am going to play TM
12 years, 10 months ago
I'll be buying a new copy at some point. I've noticed I'm always looking for fun local co-op games. It's usually been all you get is an online portion, but now-a-days it's getting better.
Can't say I'm a fan of the series considering I've never played any of the Twisted Metal games but I've been following this one pretty closely. And you know what? I Think I'll be having some fun with this!
12 years, 10 months ago
I am going to pass on Twisted Medal. The last TM game I played wasn't bad, but the setting is just so dark. The characters are just not likable, because of what they are. While this appeals to many, I find it impossible to care for the characters, to hope that they will win. Why loath that difficult to beat boss, when the playable characters are just as much a monster as said boss? There are no dynamics between morals, ideals, factions, countries, etc. just a strange show of monsters killing one another, brought together through greed. While I may be over thinking the characters and forgetting that Twisted Metal is just a vehicle arena game. The character design and writing encourage me to think about TM's characters.
12 years, 10 months ago
Twisted Metal is still, to this day, my favorite Sony exclusive. It's really hard to explain the sheer joy I get from it, the action, the chase, the destruction as the level collapses around you, how hunted can become prey in an instant. All wrapped in a amazing layer of music & style that can make it feel like part of am old metal music video at times.
I really hope this game is successful, the fact that it supports 4player coop makes me hope I can turn some friend's opinions of it.
12 years, 10 months ago
It really needs to lose the death metal. Although that's definitely something you could turn down.
12 years, 10 months ago
Twisted Metal has been at the top of my anticipation list ever since it was announced. Other games have come and gone in the meantime that i have loved to pieces but THIS is the one i'm actually waiting for.
Everything about this new Twisted Metal game is what i miss in games generally. We're living in the dark age of characters who are SO fragile in multiplayer games. Anyone who's lucky can get a spray or two of bullets in and kill you. Not in TM.
Sadly i have to wait just a tiny bit longer for it over here in the UK (Feb 17th) but damn can that day not come soon enough. I'm already thinking about who i'll specialise in, if i'll specialiase at all.
12 years, 10 months ago
Hey Brad, how about instead of tearing into your community over Twitter for not providing content to your site for you, you do some brainstorming and figure out some Top Five ideas on your own? No wonder we get "Problems with 4PP and their community" threads in the forum every few months, when you're so acidic towards your viewers and followers just because they're not doing your job for you.
Anyway, here, you get another comment on your main page. Hope you're happy with that.
12 years, 10 months ago
golf clap for Brad on that response
I'm looking forward to twisted metal. I preordered it from new egg for 47.99 and it even comes with a code to redeem for twisted metal black I believe which is another nice bonus. Looking forward to it
12 years, 10 months ago
I was never a big enough fan to go and buy it myself but I played a lot of Twisted Metal with friends growing up. I love that they put a lot of time and thought into how to bring the genre into a more modern design and I hope it does well. I don't think I'll buy it (at least not at full price or without some crazy deal), but I want to see it do well.
12 years, 10 months ago
Back on topic, I've never been a Twisted Metal fan, just because I never had a PS1 and never got any of the games on PS2. I won't be picking it up Day 1, but I want to try it out sometime down the line - it seems intriguing.
12 years, 10 months ago
I loved Twisted Metal Black, and I can't wait for this game. I hope everyone will be as high on it as you are Brad.
12 years, 10 months ago
I was more of a Vigilante 8 guy than a Twisted Metal guy, but they were made by the same team, right?
12 years, 10 months ago
Meh. I think I played it a bit on a PS2, but it never grabbed me. Each to their own, but I'll not be bothering with it. But I'm glad it'll finally be out - I'm sick of hearing about the damn thing. It's development time has reached Duke Nukem Forever levels.
12 years, 10 months ago
This game is going to be epic its going to bring fun back to gaming, to anybody who doesent think they love this game it will grow on you and you will get it soon!
12 years, 10 months ago
this game runs circles around most video games, its created by gamers for gamers. if you have anything negative to say about it then Sweet Tooth's gonna come at night when your all alone in your bed and shove a ice cream cone in your mouth
12 years, 10 months ago
Great article. I'm glad David Jaffe linked to it. You've perfectly explained why Twisted Metal is without a doubt one of my most Favorite franchises there is. It's a game series that is so overlooked by so many. I for one can't wait for Feb 12th.
12 years, 10 months ago
already got mine pre-orderd & payed off first game i pre ordered since mgs4
12 years, 10 months ago
I'm getting it! I'm really excited but unfortunately my friends aren't going to be picking it up. I would really like it if you set up a community event where we could play some Twisted Metal together for fun and laughs. Good post and I hope to send you to the junkyard one day ;D
12 years, 10 months ago
davidscottjaffe @davidscottjaffe Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Fuck, this guy just GETS IT! 4playerpodcast.com/2012/01/23/i-l… Here's hoping all our reviewers-AND PLAYERS- do too! :) Thx Brad!
Roger Burchill
@RogerPTOM
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@davidscottjaffe Very nicely written. Brad Simons is on my radar now.
Lookit that. Some people have taken notice, very nice article.
12 years, 9 months ago
i am definitely getting this game!! probably because of the maps..
there are 30 maps in the game OMG!