Twisted Metal: Black
by Sony Computer Entertainment
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Product Summary
Platform: PlayStation2Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Accessories:
Video Game Reviews of Twisted Metal: Black
Customer Review: Compelling Story Telling
Summary: 4 Stars
Twisted Metal- Black
After a long hiatus after Twisted Metal 2, the original developers return to the Twisted Metal franchise. Many people claim Twisted Metal 2 and 3 were dark spots on the series that are better left alone. Twisted Metal's first outing on the Playstation 2 would lead to the best Twisted Metal game to be produced to date. There is another version of this game known as Twisted Metal- Online. It is the same game, except with online capabilities.
Graphics- 8/10
When you first bought your Playstation 2, this was one of the games to pick up. It came out early in the cycle, so graphics had not been perfected yet. This is an extreme update from the previous Playstation 1 titles. In-game graphics looks fantastic. There is nothing like watch Sweet Tooth transform into an erect machine of destruction. Cut Scenes are all very well done. The graphics will probably be considered sub-par now, but at the time they were great. The way the cut-scenes are designed is perfect. While many cut-scenes are similar, due to the layout of the story, they work out fantastic.
Level Design has improved vastly. Not only are the levels larger, but they are more interactive. One level starts you on a prison boat. The level seems a bit mediocre with not much about it. Than the ship hits land and you can shift in and out of the boat. This uniqueness makes for a very fun play. Other levels include highways, rooftops, and general town areas. Each one plays differently and provides a different feel.
Character vehicles are designed well. No vehicle looks similar to another. This game features the return of favorites like Darkside, Axel, Sweet Tooth, Spectre, and others. New characters like Crazy 8 will quickly warm up to you. All the vehicles are assumed to be stolen, other than a few, from the Asylum which most of the characters are from. Therefore, they look run down and trashy. This is goes good with the dark vibe this game presents.
Story- 9.5/10
Like other Twisted Metal games, Calypso is holding a vehicular-combat tournament. The winner will receive one wish. While many characters carry over in name, they are not the same characters as previous games. This time they are actually better though. You will become attached to each character's story and want to hear their stories. I think the only returning characters are Sweet Tooth and Minion.
To better flesh out what you can expect from this game, I want to tell you the beginning of Darkside's story. A young woman (Darkside is a woman in this game by the way) begins working for a mask maker. She is just a secretary. One day while doing paperwork, she spills coffee on everything. Her boss is enraged and decides to make a special mask for his clumsy worker. He makes a full head mask, that looks like a doll face. He than nails it into the worker's head. Yeah, what is wrong with this guy? He than secures it with a one-of-a-kind key. Darkside is put in an asylum due to depression. One day she has a visitor. Calypso. He offers her a chance to participate in the tournament. Her wish is to escape the mask that has trapped her all these years. It only gets better through the rest of the game.
Most characters' stories run a similar path. Calypso discovers them and offers a chance to take part in the tournament. Mid-way through the game you are revealed more about their past. Once you have beaten the game you see them making their wish. Most characters have three cut-scenes. They usually play out the exact same way, just with a different story.
Sound- 9/10
"Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones is the theme song. That almost sums up all my feelings about Black's sound. I will say that without that song, this game would not be the same. The opening menu features this song and sets the dark vibe that makes me love this game. "Paint it Black" also plays during the credits and other various parts of Black.
The rest of the sound is decent. The level that featured the prison ship features perfects sounds of waves crashing against the boat. There is wind and other assorted sounds that create a fantastic vibe. Buildings crashing, people dying, and guns blazing are just some of the cool sounds you will hear in Black.
The music for the rest of the game is solid. Nothing really stands out, but it will match the level. Usually the music is quiet, but that works for this title. Voice Acting is also fantastic. Again, this creates the perfect vibe.
Gameplay- 8/10
The gameplay is exactly like previous installments in the series. You choose a vehicle and you enter a level. You will have to destroy all other automobiles in the level to advance. This is done by ramming them, shooting them, or pushing them off the level in certain stages. In one player, this is enjoyable. It works as a fun break from other video games. You can either play through the story mode we discussed earlier, or just play a round on a chosen level.
Multi-Player is fun as well. You can have up to four players on one game. The objective is the same. You must kill all other players to win the round. You can also play story mode together. Only player one will have his story told, but it is just another fun Multi-Player option.
The addition of secret characters and items increases the drive to replay this game. Since the stories are essential in this game, having more characters will quench your thirst. The addition of new levels will increase the fun in multi-player. These secrets are not the complicated to discover, but are fun searching for.
Difficulty- 9/10 (Note- This is how much I like the Difficulty)
Black is an easy game to pick up and play. Story mode itself is pretty easy. This is how Black needs to be though. You want to hear each character's story so badly; the gameplay should not interfere with that. However, not anyone can pick up and start winning. More experienced players will know the layout of the level better and have the advantage. New players do have a decent chance of winning though.
Overall- 8.5/10
I recently review Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense. In the review, I assured every one that Black is a much better choice. This is why. Black has dark stories that are very deep, despite only lasting three cut-scenes each. Black has better levels and graphics. Black is just better. That is not just in comparison to Vigilante 8, but all car-based combat games. If vehicular mayhem is your cup of tea, buy this one right now.
Description of Twisted Metal: Black
While the Twisted Metal line of vehicular combat games has had uneven episodes, the developers at Incog have thankfully brought the series back in black, and it has never been better. Twisted Metal: Black pushes the envelope in terms of graphics, gameplay, and content. It's a tremendous game, but parents should keep in mind that it carries a Mature rating from ESRB and its content may be unsuitable for younger players. Gamers old enough to handle it will be treated to a must-have game for the PlayStation2.Twisted Metal: Black is one of the best-looking games on the market. The character design, animations, particle effects, and lighting effects are all topnotch, yet the game still runs at a speedy frame rate--even in multiplayer modes. The game isn't all about looks though, as gameplay is very deep and contains several modes. You'll want to play single-player story mode several times just to see how the game ends for its numerous compelling characters. Each character has a story line that's simple yet captivating. More importantly, each of the characters' vehicles has meaningful differences, so players are bound to find a rig that fits their playing styles.
With its slick gameplay, interesting characters, wide variety of modes, and breathtaking graphics, Twisted Metal: Black is the best vehicular combat game yet, and, so far, the best PlayStation2 game of the year. --Raymond M. Padilla
Pros:
- Incredible graphics
- Deep gameplay
- Strong replay value
- Controls can be tricky at first
- Boss fights can be frustrating
While the Twisted Metal line of vehicular combat games has had uneven episodes, the developers at Incog have thankfully brought the series back in black, and it has never been better. Twisted Metal: Black pushes the envelope in terms of graphics, gameplay, and content. It's a tremendous game, but parents should keep in mind that it carries a Mature rating from ESRB and its content may be unsuitable for younger players. Gamers old enough to handle it will be treated to a must-have game for the PlayStation2.
Twisted Metal: Black is one of the best-looking games on the market. The character design, animations, particle effects, and lighting effects are all topnotch, yet the game still runs at a speedy frame rate--even in multiplayer modes. The game isn't all about looks though, as gameplay is very deep and contains several modes. You'll want to play single-player story mode several times just to see how the game ends for its numerous compelling characters. Each character has a story line that's simple yet captivating. More importantly, each of the characters' vehicles has meaningful differences, so players are bound to find a rig that fits their playing styles.
With its slick gameplay, interesting characters, wide variety of modes, and breathtaking graphics, Twisted Metal: Black is the best vehicular combat game yet, and, so far, the best PlayStation2 game of the year. --Raymond M. Padilla
Pros:
- Incredible graphics
- Deep gameplay
- Strong replay value
- Controls can be tricky at first
- Boss fights can be frustrating
This vehicular combat game brings the original developers of the popular Twisted Metal series back for a dark, eerie installment for the PS2. This version will have new weapons, veteran and rookie drivers, weather effects, and night driving.
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