Twisted Metal: Black

"Best PS2 game out to date...?"

Introduction:
Twisted Metal: Black is one of the newest games out for PS2. It's a part of the Twisted Metal series, and although 989 Studios ruined the Twisted Metal name, Incog. Inc (formally SingleTrac) came and revived the series to a new level.

Graphics:
The graphics in this game are amazing! It's a VERY detailed game, each little part of the game is detailed, along with the FMVs. From Pedestrians to neon signs, this game is detailed to the max. I think it's one of the best looking games on the PS2 so far, besides a game like...The Bouncer.
Score: 10/10

Gameplay:
The gameplay in this game is perfect. All right, so the game might be a bit difficult to those that are new to Twisted Metal, and even to those that consider themselves Vets of the series, but that's one of the greater parts of this game. What's the point of having an easy game that you throw down once you've beat it with each character? The AI in this game is great, the computers act almost exactly like a human opponent would, or maybe they're even smarter. There's rarely ever slowdown and barely any glitches, but they do exist. The controls also respond pretty well, I can't think of a time when they didn't respond to what I did. So, I think the gameplay is great in this game, perfect actually.
Score: 10/10

Sound:
I'm sorry, but I love the music in this game. There is no licensed music in this game, except for the Credits music, which was played by The Rolling Stones (Paint it Black). The music is almost as creepy as the game, especially in the Snowy Roads level. The voices are perfect for the characters! The sound couldn't be any better.
Score: 10/10

Characters:
Well, this is a pretty easy part to cover. Each and every character in this was a good addition to the game. I don't think I'd replace any character in this game, because face it, this is a new remake to the Twisted Metal series, so every character has a right to be in it. Sweet Tooth has never been better either, he's disturbing, insane and just cool.
Score: 10/10

Story:
The story? Well, it's easy, this is a Twisted Metal contest and each contestant was broken out of a mental institution and given a car to raise hell with. However, each character has their own reason to be in the contest. Each and every character is filled with a dark and disturbing background, and they battle out in the contest to somehow change what happened to them. It's like every Twisted Metal contest, I think, and it's even better this time. It's hard not to feel some type of pity to the characters after you've beat the game with them.
Score: 10/10

Replay Value / Fun Factor:
You'll stick on this game for a very long time, I promise you that. Once you beat it with one character, you've got a lot more to beat it with to see how each character slightly connects to the other, and how this game possibly connects to the other Twisted Metal games. There are secrets scattered all over the levels as well, and a few hidden characters you have to learn how to unlock. Besides that, this game is fun as hell. You'll enjoy this game by yourself or with your friends. You can even team up with a friend to play through story mode with them! You'll enjoy this game from the beginning to end, if you don't get mad that it has a long learning curve.
Score: 10/10

Final Thoughts:
I have to say that this is the best game out on the PS2, and both Gamespot and IGN have seen this. The game is perfect, and even though it might have a few small problems, the game is still unbeatable. I recommend you buy this game as soon as you can, as long as psychopaths don't scare you. The game is dark and disturbing, a first in it's kind (besides Silent Hill and those games...). Don't forget that this is car-combat game as well! So I say buy it as soon as you can, and I promise weeks of fun.

Final Score (not an average) : 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/01, Updated 06/26/01