Twisted Metal 2

Try to think of things that are twisted in this world: tornadoes, trash bag ties and the creative mind of Stephen King may come to mind. But what else is twisted? If a car was going 80 miles per hour and smacked into another car going that fast head-on, the metal of the cars just might twist a little. A bit of an understatement? We think so.

Twisted Metal 2 is nearing completion, and we have played an early version of what very well could be even more fun and impressive than the first. That's to be expected, considering all of the carnage that has already been added to the sequel and all of the other goodies that'll be in the finished product.

EGM recently had an opportunity to see first-hand what Twisted Metal 2 is all about. We saw preliminary sketches, renders and other delicious unspeakables that made us drool in the worst way. Can anything else be expected of Single Trac Entertainment Technologies Inc.? Gamers have already played their wildly popular titles before-namely the first Twisted Metal and Warhawk. Gave Twisted Metal game of the year! What more needs to be said?

Not bad considering Single Trac started out in the dining room of Todd Kelly, now CFO at Single Trac. "We've had a great time doing this-starting small and growing," said Michael Ryder, president of Single Trac, talking about the development and roots of the company.

Since Twisted Metal was so popular, there was a demand for a sequel, and now that Single Trac is bigger, the schedule isn't as cramped as before. Twisted Metal was completed in nine months which is a very aggressive approach for a game like that, according to Ryder. Single Trac has a full 16 months for Twisted Metal 2. Since they have twice as long, will the sequel be twice as good as the first? Though it's still in the middle of production, let's just say so far, so good.

Remember, since the game is still in development, any info can change, but at press time all of the information in this feature is correct.

What makes the sequel different from the first? Geez, where should we start? Scott Cambell, executive producer, says, "It's like the first Twisted Metal on steroids." First, there are 12 characters to choose from instead of 10. Plus, there has been rumors of possible hidden characters in the game. Second, the game is on a worldwide scale instead of one city and its nearby areas. We're talking New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Moscow, the ruins of L.A. and a few other locations that haven't been paired with actual cities yet. Those include a volcano/lava pit, an iceberg that is constantly crumbling and probably one or two other wicked areas.

The 12 characters are as follows: there's Roadkill from the first TM. He's in the same type of junkyard car but with some modifications. Mr. Grimm is back in his cycle of death, complete with rockets and the whole sha-BANG! (His special attack is probably the most powerful.) There's Bruise, the new driver for the low-ridin' car known as Thumper from before. Mike and Stew, two teenagers, drive the monster truck. A woman, whose name has yet to be determined, drives an Indy car. Crista Sparks drives the souped-up dune buggy. A stereotypical "Hollywood guy" drives the sports car. Simon drives the ever-deadly bulldozer that picks up cars with its lift and either slams or throws them. (What fun!) Axel, the man fused to two wheels, has added guns and rockets to make things more fun. There's also Mortimor, who's aptly named considering he drives a hearse. (His car is pictured above.) Others include an outlaw and an army commander.

Each of the characters has his/her own unique special weapon-some are more powerful than others, while others are easier to use. There are weapon power-ups to give gamers a better edge. Bombs, rockets and napalm always make things a little easier when all else fails. There are over six weapon power-ups that can be found. Besides the regular weapons, players can perform controller "combos" to activate other special moves like freeze attacks and energy shields. These are done by Up,

Up, Down, Down moves or other Street Fighter-type moves. By figuring these out, gamers will last longer in a level or prolong the agony of their opponents as they freeze them then wait for them to thaw before they load a few missiles up their exhaust. Another special move enables a gamer to jump from a stationary or moving position. This way, hidden areas are no longer unreachable.

Keep an eye open for backgrounds that are destructible. By blowing up a wall here or a monument there, power-ups become reachable. For instance, in Paris, by planting a bomb under the Eiffel Tower-when it blows up the Tower falls over-and creates a road leading to a power-up or two.

There are also teleporters in areas that lead to power-ups. Keep an eye out for these scattered throughout the levels.

This time the characters have more personality and more of a background. The evil Calypso is behind the sadistic Twisted Metal tournament. The 12 characters have been chosen to compete in a worldwide destruction derby. Whoever wins is granted a wish-whether it turns out to be what they really want or not. Each character's ending is done in an animated cinema, but unlike the average rendered cinema, Twisted Metal 2 takes the idea of a cinema to a different level. Employing the services and talent of Unlikely Films, the character endings are sure to be a shock, like the sequence below.

So many times sequels pop up but they're nothing special. Some are just like the first game, with just a few additions and a "2" slapped after the title.

For $65, this can get annoying quickly. Flowever, Single Trac has made a game that's not just another sequel. This time it's everything the first one was and much more.

The last time we saw Twisted Metal 2 it was simply a preview of what was to come. Sure, we got to play a bit of it, but after returning to the office, we wanted more. Sketches of the end cinemas and various levels helped our hunger but something was still missing. We wanted to hold the controller in our hands and play the game. We wanted the carnage of TM2. Our wait is over-but not yet complete.

As mentioned in last month's preview feature, Twisted Metal is everything the first one was and so much more.

So what has changed from the very early version we played some time ago? The story is still the same. The evil Calypso has put together another deadly Twisted Metal tournament. The first left L.A. in ruins. Being a mastermind criminal (and unofficially a psycho) Calypso wasn't content. He wanted to go worldwide and that's what TM2 is. The World Tour, in all of its twisted glory.

There are 12 characters to choose from. Now that we actually have a playable copy of the game, we can show each of the players with their respective car. There is also talk of secret characters. If and when these are available, we will be sure to pass on the information to readers. Each of the characters has its own unique special weapon.

On top of the special weapon, players can obtain a whole arsenal of weapons. These include napalm, rockets, homing missiles, ricochet bombs, power rockets, remote explosives, a lightning bolt among others. Boy oh boy, if napalm won't take care of an enemy, who knows what will. Of course players also have the standard machine guns. Each car has turbo boosters which run out of gas but can be replenished by finding the turbo power-up.

Can there be more? Of course! Each vehicle can also use a whole array of special moves. As mentioned in last month's preview, these moves are Up, Up, Down, Down type moves. Some include a force shield, a jump, a freeze beam and land mines. Since the copy of Twisted Metal 2 that we have not yet complete, the special moves cannot be released (they may change). Fret not, when the moves are confirmed, we do what it takes to get you the special moves as soon as they're available. From what we have heard about the various moves, they'll be pretty cool looking as well as effective against the enemies gamers face in the levels of Twisted Metal 2.

Stay tuned to us in upcoming issues for more exclusive coverage of Twisted Metal 2 as it makes its way to being completed.

Then it will be truly safe to say that our hunger for harmless death and destruction will be satisfied...for now.

The sequel to the original is making its way to the PlayStation. According to SCEA, TM2: World Tour will be even more amazing than before since the programmers have had a year to learn the tricks of the trade. The new version has no preset tracks to limit the player's movements. Like the first one, the vehicles in Twisted Metal 2 have been designed for death and destruction--the difference is that the various trucks and cars have more special attacks than before. The new vehicles include a hearse, a bulldozer, a race car and an armed man, strapped to two giant wheels. Exploring the new levels and blowing up objects and enemies alike.

Twisted Metal 2 is almost here, and it has the same rollicking, rock-and-roll-over, car-destroying mayhem as before. Now you can bang fenders around the world, like in Holland's "Field of Screams"!

Graphics

Some pixelization occurs, and some of the polygons, especially in the buildings, look sloppily put together. However, the special-weapon discharges, combat vehicles, and various stages look excellent. In the two-player modes, the horizontal split-screen is preferable to the vertical because it gives a wider field of view.

Gameplay & Fun Factor

The one-player, every-vehicle-for-itself mode is extremely challenging. The two-player mode is equally exciting as you square off against a foe across giant stages. There are also plenty of hidden areas and weapons you can acquire that add to the fun.

Twisted Metal 2 has all the makings of a hit--intense game-play, colorful explosions, and plenty of cars to choose from. This looks like one tour around the world worth taking.

Control

The vehicles have different attributes, and some control better than others. Acceleration and braking, however, are easily controlled with either the control pad or the buttons.

Twisted Metal, last year's sleeper hit, now has a sequel. Twisted Metal 2: World Tour promises more mayhem, better backgrounds, and hardier weapons (including time bombs, napalm, missiles, and more). With 12 new and improved cars, including a hearse, a bulldozer, and a man strapped between two wheels, and new areas like a glacier, a volcano, and Paris, TM2 will certainly appeal to metal patriots and newcomers alike. You can also interact with the environment, so beware of collapsing bridges and crumbling buildings. If these pictures are any in dication, Twisted Metal 2 certainly looks like it's on the highway to hell.

Twisted Metal 2 doesn't have the most original premise or the greatest graphics a next-gen system can offer. However, it looks and plays better than its predecessor, with intense, blistering jump-and-bump vehicle combat that makes it a top action title.

With 12 twisted drivers, ranging from a psychotic laid-off architect to a 105-year-old combat veteran, and a plethora of weapons to acquire, contestants smash and blast opponents into oblivion, with hopes of being the last car standing when the smoke clears. The game takes place on a global scale, with eight tough combat zones from Paris to Antarctica. You won't have time to enjoy the sights, though--tenacious enemies blast you at every turn.

Graphics are TM2's weakest element. City structures are bland and featureless, there's pixelization galore, and severe breakup occurs when you get close to walls.

However, intense game-play is what saves, and makes, the game--especially in the two-player head-to-head mode. The controls are responsive and the action is fast and furious, with huge explosions, screaming audio, and formidable zones.

Forget a test drive--Twisted Metal 2 is one game to drive home right off the lot. If you've played the first Twisted Metal and wanted a little more bang for your buck, then this is the game for you.

Graphics

The cars look great, as do the eye-filling, colorful explosions. Ttie multiple dashboard configurations are also a real plus. However, the flat, featureless cities and surroundings look like they're made of cardboard.

Sound

Harsh, head-banging rock tunes highlight the audio and work perfectly with the crash-and-bash action. Screams (mostly from unfortunate pedestrians), gunshots, explosions, and other sounds of mayhem are all equally effective.

Control

Steering and maneuverability differ depending on which vehicle you select Overall, the cars have tight and responsive controls, but do take a little time to master.

Fun Factor

The one-player modes are plenty enthralling, but the two-player, split-screen head-to-head action is where the game really shines, providing hours of thumb-blistering, fender-bender action.

One of the most exciting games for the PlayStation is Twisted Metal. Its intense gameplay and cool array of vehicles were greatly enhanced by the game's desolate backdrop and amazing soundtrack.This was one game that truly amazed. Well, a year has passed and it's time for a sequel! This time, Calypso is talking his tourney on the road, due to the fact that the good people of L.A. don't want him and his ruffians tooling about in their town. In search of a new home. Calypso takes the contest to New York, Paris, Moscow and Tokyo; he even holds a contest in Antarctica. Along with many of the old contestants, some new guys are taking a whirl, including a bulldozer, a hearse and a race car.

TM2 looks great with its new locations, vehicles, and weapons. Only problem that I can see is that it looks like there will be no link capabilities.That may change, though.