Twisted Metal: Head-On Review (no fat)

Game Description

Twisted Metal is one of the most successful franchises in the videogame industry and now it’s on PSP with the new sequel Head On. With 14 cars to choose from, each with unique characteristics, weaponry and drivers, all you have to do is choose one of them and instantly be teleported in the captivating world Incognito Entertainment has managed to create.

Twisted Metal: Head-On Gameplay

As you may have noticed, there are a lot of special combos. The most common is the freeze ability which makes the target highly vulnerable for a short while. However, due to the prevalent use of the freeze and shield energy moves, car choice may seem a bit irrelevant.

This game is more an FPS game than a driving simulation, but it can still pack hours and hours of gameplay for both categories of players. There are several game modes you can choose from. In the story mode, you’re facing your opponents in a free-for-all melee battle in a series of unique arenas. New to Head On is the presence of an upgrade system. You will be rewarded for aggressive killing with upgrades. These upgrades can increase the power of your special attacks, improve your armor and last as long you’re alive.

The problem with the story mode is that it only takes about half an hour to complete. What will most likely appeal to both experienced TM players and newcomers alike in the story mode will be the cars, characters and secrets they’ll get to unlock, the extras for both multiplayer and single player modes and the ending cinematic for each driver. Aside from the story mode, there’s also the Challenge mode, where you can get into a one-on-one duel with the computer, or the Endurance mode – a survival mode.

Twisted Metal: Head-On Multiplayer Action

In TM: Head On you can go for 3 types of multiplayer action: Infrastructure, Ad-Hoc and LAN. One of the best feature of Head-On is the online multiplayer gameplay. There’s nothing like pounding your best friend, your worst enemy or just a random stranger Head On over the internet, especially since you also get the new features. For instance, in the multiplayer mode there are relics you can pick up that behave just like an upgrade, active only as long as you have them. Unfortunately though, you can only have one at a time.

In Twisted Metal you’ll find a bunch of multiplayer modes to choose from: Deathmatch, Last Man Standing, Fox Hunt (one vehicle is hunted by all the others), Collector (collect as many items as possible – destroy opponents to collect the items they have already collected), Team Deathmatch, Team Last Man Standing, Team Fox Hunt and Team Collector.

Twisted Metal: Head-On Controls

Although experienced TM players will have no trouble getting into the battle zone, newcomers may need some time to adjust to the twisted controls: you can use the analog stick or the D-pad (more precise than the stick) for steering, acceleration and braking. The problem is that, if you’re using the D-pad, you’ll find it awkward at first to have to use the stick when you need to reverse, but in time you’ll get used to it.

Twisted Metal: Head-On Sound

Although it’s clear and meant to keep the adrenaline pumping through your veins, the soundtrack of the game isn’t something to remember - the same high-beat songs, the same sound effects any FPS/driving game has. However, even if it’s not brilliant, it still contributes to the gameplay and will definitely keep you glued to the screen.

Twisted Metal: Head-On Graphics

The environment is great –good design, high detail, good effects. Also, the team at Incognito Entertainment seems to have spent a great deal of time on the car destruction graphics because it turned out great.

An advantage of the PSP is the wide screen which you’ll most likely notice in difficult combats, helping you out with peripheral vision. The constant fast flowing game hardly slows down and any lag, if it happens, will only be there in multiplayer combats with extreme destruction.

The graphics deserves another plus where draw distance is concerned as you’ll probably be able to see the every bit of the arena. However, the cars’ texture proves to be a bit shallow, which may lead you to believe that the game is older than it actually is. You may also notice various bugs such as getting stuck in walls. If you’re in a good mood, you may get a good laugh out of it, but if you’re in a tight spot you may not feel the same… Bugs and shallow textures aside, the graphics are impressive and get the job done.

Twisted Metal Head-On Summing Up

Twisted Metal Head-On is true to the series. The best part of the game is the multiplayer possibility that will make sure it will have a long life and turn many players into TM addicts. Moreover, the gameplay is smooth, the soundtrack is heart rushing, the graphics get the job done, the sound effects are appropriate and the overall feeling of the game is great.

Twisted Metal Head-On Cost

Twisted Metal Head-On currently retails for $36.95