The Twisted Metal series has always been one of Sony PlayStation’s trademarks. The car-combat king is back in Twisted Metal: Head- On Extra Twisted Edition, a port from the 2005 PSP hit game.
"Extra Twisted is only $20, and well worth the bargain price. "
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There are a few extra additions for the PS2 version, including an all-new Head-On level, Transylvania. There are also four "Lost" levels that were intended to be in the sequel to PS2’s Twisted Metal: Black. That particular game was canceled after six key development team members were killed. The levels were never fully completed, and you can easily tell, as they are not very pretty. But it’s cool to see where the developers were going with the game that never was. Then there is "Sweet Tour," where players get to actually run (not drive) around as Sweet Tooth and explore different levels. There are 29 Sweet Tooth icons to check out, which provide behind-the-scenes images and factoids about the Twisted Metal series.
A treat for long-time fans is a documentary featuring Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe and others, discussing the Twisted Metal series from the very beginning to present day. It was interesting to hear the team discuss and analyze all of the games, including the poorly received Twisted Metal 3 and 4, games that the originators were not even a part of. And finally, some hilariously cheesy live-action movies originally meant for the original Twisted Metal are on the disc for your viewing enjoyment. It’s a shame that the developers didn’t try to re-create these pieces for Extra Twisted. Well, on second thought...
The additions to the PS2 version are great, but it all comes down to gameplay, and this game does not disappoint. With 12 characters to choose from, the car-combat game is fun in both single and multiplayer modes (no online mode, unfortunately). The "meat and potatoes" for single player is story mode, where you choose your character and progress through the game, facing new enemies and discovering new levels. Challenge mode allows you to choose your computer-controlled opponents and go at it in a last vehicle standing destruction derby. And finally there is endurance mode, where you face an endless amount of enemies until your vehicle just can’t take anymore.
"The gameplay is where it’s at."
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Multiplayer includes two-player deathmatch, where the first player to destroy the other is the victor. There is also two player split screen co-op, where you and your buddy act as a team, trying to advance through the Twisted Metal competition. Nothing revolutionary as far as options for multiplayer goes, but fun nonetheless.
Paris, Egypt, and even a baseball stadium are just a few of the levels where vehicle destruction glory takes place. Each level includes a special "Teleporter" that takes you to various mini games, where you can earn extra lives, unlock new levels and vehicles, and much more. Ramming your vehicle into taxi tabs, destroying helicopters with napalm bombs, and destroying Sweet Tooth heads are some of the side jobs you can participate in. The mini games are a nice change to regular Twisted Metal gameplay.
"Multiplayer - nothing revolutionary but fun"
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The Twisted Metal series was never really known for its graphics, and that tradition continues here. It runs pretty smooth, but isn’t pretty by any means. Even though PS2 is in its dying days, the system is capable of more than what Extra Twisted has to offer. The music is decent, maybe a little catchy, but nothing special. The sound effects do an okay job. The gameplay is where it’s at.
Extra Twisted is only $20, and well worth the bargain price. The biggest letdown is the lack of online play, something that the PSP version and even Black included. But it’s nice to see Eat Sleep Play (the original developers of the Twisted Metal series) release a string of solid games, allowing many fans to forget the horrific 989 Studios PS1 versions. Many look forward to see what they have in store for PlayStation 3.
