Anybody who has played TwistedMetal 3 or 4 will agree that they were horrible when compared to the first andsecond installments.  This fact alonehas driven many people away from the newest game in the series, Twisted MetalBlack.  It really is too bad, though,because TMB is by far the best game of the Twisted Metal franchise. This is probably due to the fact that Incog Inc. (the creators of TM1 and2), also known as Single Trac, has taken the franchise back from the horriblehands of 989 and completely redesigned the game from the ground up.

 

           Car combat has never looked so good and TMB actually looks better thanmost other genres out there in terms of graphics and overall style. Almost everything is completely destructible and the crumbling, explosionand burning effects while causing that destruction looks absolutely amazing. The graphics really help to set the tone of the game. Everything has a dark, (blood) stained look to it, adding a scary feelingto the game.

 

           Speaking of dark, the characters are probably some of the darkest, mostmorbid creatures ever created.  Allof them have stories to back up their insanity. There was only one story that the ending wasn’t as fulfilling as therest.  Some of the characters aredark, psychotic killers and others are schizoid nutcases. Of course, this would create controversy, though. Groups around the world have tried to get this game pulled from storeshelves for portraying the mentally incompetent in ways considered “horribleand unjust.”  Thankfully though,none of these groups have been successful in getting this great game pulled. 

 

           In conjunction with the graphics and characters, the sound helps to addan even darker feel to the game.  Youwill hear shrills, screams, extremely creepy music and if Sweet Tooth happens tobe on the prowl, you will hear his signature laugh. It is a taunting, bone-chilling laugh that is sure to scare any youngchild that hears it.  Also, duringmovie scenes, the voice acting is spot on, but for virgin ears, these sceneswill not be pleasing at all.  Thecharacters aren’t afraid to let out the more than occasional dirty word. Who would have ever though of a psycho killer to have a foul mouth?

 

           The game’s control setup is a great once you get used to it. At first, it is a tad overwhelming to have to use the whole controller inunity to win, but after a few days of play, it becomes easy and more convenientthan at first play.  To accelerate,brake and use turbo, the right analog stick is used. To shoot machine guns, main weapons and cycle through weapons, theshoulder buttons are used.  To usedifferent combos like freeze blasts and landmines, you have to type them in onthe D-pad.  The combo system isreally the only thing that will bother most people because it is a little muchto think about combos and machine guns and main weapons and driving and findingtargets at the same time.  Rememberingthe different combos gives even the best players some serious problems. The best way to avoid confusion is to find one combo you like and stickto it, so that you know the button order and effect. This makes things a whole lot easier to manage. If this control setting is too advanced, there is another preset tochoose from, or you can always program your own setting.

            If you haven’t alreadypicked up this game, then go out right now and buy it at the recommendedgreatest hits price of $20.  Thisgame is a steal at the greatest hits price. Also, fore even more car combat carnage and enjoyment, buy thePlaystation 2 Online Adapter for $40 and receive the online version of thisgame.  You can then play every level,with any car featured in the game, with up to eight other players at once. This makes a fast-paced online game with the best or with a few friendspossible at any time of the day or night.  Onceagain, if you have not picked this game up yet, you have been missing out andwill continue to miss out until you buy one of the versions (online or offline)of Twisted Metal Black.