Twisted Metal: Best left to the bargain bin

Twisted Metal comes from the slightly twisted mind of David Jaffe, whose other notable work is the God of War series.

 

Twisted Metal

From: Sony

For: PlayStation 3

2 stars (out of five)

 

It has been a long time between drinks for this franchise, the previous one (Twisted Metal: Black) having been released in 2001 on the PS2. I have not played it, so I have a clean slate when approaching this. However, this may not be for the best.

Twisted Metal falls into the slightly unusual genre of a car-based combat game. There aren't too many of those - the last one I can remember was a not particularly good PS3 launch title.

This does not necessarily condemn Twisted Metal to being an average game, but there are several problems with this game which make it rather difficult to recommend.

Firstly, the control system.

To be blunt, it is archaic and frustrating. I assume it uses the same control system as the first game did ... but the first game was released in 2001 and it is now 2012. There are certain expectations that come with games being released these days when it comes to control systems, and Twisted Metal completely ignores them.

That's not to say that every game should use the same control system, but Twisted Metal's is convoluted. Using the square button to accelerate is a good example of this. Gamers are used to accelerate in car games being on the right trigger, or the X button. Why the developers did not follow suit is beyond me.

Gamers should not have to stop and think what button does what; it should be natural and easy.

The entire premise of the game also failed to strike a chord with me. The game focuses on three separate storylines involving three characters, some of which from the first game, entering into a deathmatch style tournament, with the prize of a wish being granted. Each character has their own motivation for entering, for example the first character you will play as, Sweet Tooth, is after the location of his daughter, who he failed to murder with the rest of his family after becoming psychopathic. It is all a bit macabre and violent. This may be someone's cup of tea, but it certainly is not mine.

There are standard deathmatches where you fight other drivers using a whole host of weapons, including missiles and personalised special weapons, as well as the standard (standard in so far as car combat game) races, as well as other modes including a full online multiplayer mode.

The battles generally turn into long-winded affairs, often complicated by the previously mentioned control system. Bonus health for running over your opponent (who is on fire) after you have crippled their vehicle sort of sums up the entire experience.

Twisted Metal has limited appeal. It is not the sort of game you would expect many to try.

Those who do try, will either find themselves absolutely loving the somewhat new experience, or being completely alienated by the baffling control system, or by the gruesome storyline and gameplay.

I find it very difficult to recommend, perhaps best left to the bargain bin vultures.

- By Simon Bishop