Twisted Metal: Head-On

"Not TM: Black, but a great addition to the series"

Cars, missiles, fire, explosions - what isn't there to like about the Twisted Metal concept? Tiny arenas and a "true-to-life" physics engine almost killed the series in Twisted Metal 3, for one. Following the success of Twisted Metal: Black, Incog Inc (now Incognito) released Small Brawl which was a horrid piece of programming. They now have Head-On to try and redeem themselves, and boy have they learned from their mistakes.

Story (No Score): Calypso is back to his usual games. Invite contestants to fight to the death in heavily armed vehicles and grant the winner any wish he/she/they desire(s). The contest is known as Twisted Metal. The background story is sufficient but the endings are what matter for most. Each character has their own background, but nothing stands out. The endings are about on track with those of previous titles. Nothing about a simple wish is truly simple.

Sound (10/10): Even though the PSP's small speakers are not the best method of relaying sound, the carnage is clear at all times. The tournament opens up with a metal performance that blares through the empty baseball arena. The music is CD quality (as should be expected from PSP games in general) and each track fits its stage nicely. The character voices are done quite well. The hillbillies sound like hillbillies, heavy, unintelligible Naw-lens accent is just that. Sweet Tooth's signature demonic cackle is as eerie as ever.

Graphics (9/10): The CG from Black has been replaced with cartoon animations like the ones in Twisted Metal 2. Considering that some of the characters are in fact deceased, and that some of the wishes result in some (to withhold any spoilers) unrealistic outcomes, this style is very appropriate. The in game graphics are almost on target with TM: Black. The detail on the vehicles is impressive to say the least, and the arenas themselves are just as pleasing to the eye. As in TM2, blasting away at the background and features in the arena can have some familiar results (think Paris from TM2 - it's back!). Blasting a distant radio tower knocks it down forming a bridge to a distant rooftop above the streets of Tokyo. All of this with out a bit of slow down, running at a sweet 60 fps.

Control (6/10): The only part of the game I have any problem with. The gas and brakes are not as responsive as you'd like. Controlling a quick turn is nearly impossible. The double tapping gas to turbo never seems to work when you need it to, often taking couple of tries to engage. Weapon selection is now done via the triangle button. Cycling through weapons is an arduous task, and even the rapid select doesn't help much. The firing of weapons is still the same as in previous titles (using the trigger buttons). There is a button config but I didn't find any better configurations than the default. Once you get used to it, the controls are acceptable, but they still often cause some problems.

Gameplay (10/10): The gameplay remains most;y unchanged from TM2. Get weapons and kill your opponents. The arenas (other than truncated "deathmatch" maps) are quite expansive and have many hidden tunnels and pathways with hidden weapons and teleporters. Additionally, all but the boss levels have a mini game associated with it. They are quite challenging but are very rewarding. Energy moves are back. Freeze and shield being the most commonly used, but with jump (now double tapping X) having its fair share of usefulness. All 16 playable characters have their own unique feel and their own special weapon ranging from a ramming speed boost to a shockwave attack. The game features three play modes for single player, Story, Challenge/Deathmatch and Endurance. The game features an addictive multiplayer that supports both a direct connection and LAN connection through a wireless network. Several modes of play (deathmatch, fox hunt, last man standing and collector) )and various options make for a very customizable bundle of mayhem on the go.

Replay (8/10): The highly customizable multiplayer game, the 16 characters and a very effective AI system can provide a heavy challenge for almost any level of gamer. As long as you have a friend with the game, the fun won't end. The single player mode may grow a bit old after beating it with a few characters. There are two points when the player can choose the next level, but this might not provide that much variety in the end.

Final Score (9/10): Easily the best PSP title I've played thus far. With exception of the controls, this game easily competes with TM2 and TM:B for the best of the series claim. With superb graphical quality, pick-up-and-go gameplay, and multiplayer madness, this title is a must-have for any TM fan and a solid choice for anyone who has yet to play a Twisted Metal game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/21/05