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PS2 | Driving | Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition

Boxart for Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition
  • GRAPHICS: 2.50
  • SOUND: 3.50
  • CONTROL: 3.50
  • FUN FACTOR 4.00
  • AVG USER SCORE n/a
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.0

Preview: Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition

Preview by Travis Moses | 01/16/2008 | 19:15:17 PM PST

The ultimate Twisted Metal experience packed into one disc.

For those that don't know, Twisted Metal is the definitive destruction derby series with a maniacal twist. Imagine fast-paced car combat mixed with the most tormented, mad-house crazy characters you can think of, throw them into an arena and watch them tear each other apart with vehicle mounted machine guns and rocket launchers. Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition is more than a port of the 2005 PSP version; it's the first game from famed God of War developer David Jaffe and his new studio, Eat Sleep Play.

So what's new in this Extra Twisted Edition for the PS2? Although the game comes off more as a collector's item for fans rather than a new game, there are still plenty of all-new features to warrant a gander. We got a near-finished build of Jaffe's latest and couldn't help but post our impressions immediately. Let's take a look.

From the main menu, choose between two different games -- Twisted Metal: Head On and Twisted Metal: Lost. Head On is essentially the same game as the PSP version, but with better graphics, two new characters, Gold Tooth and 12-Pak, Story, Challenge and Endurance modes. Twisted Metal: Lost tells the unfortunate tale of the never-released Twisted Metal Black sequel and features four levels from the game.

According to the fine print, the sequel to Twisted Metal Black was originally planned to be an open world called Harbor City with battle arenas connected via freeways and no loading. The four circumcised "Lost" levels are all that remain of Harbor City and it's a shame really, because the levels are freakin' awesome. Complete with environment attacks, verticality, and destructible objects, the "Lost" levels are an optimistic ode to what Twisted Metal Black 2 could have been.

The bonus features include a behind-the-scenes documentary of the Twisted Metal series, the lost live-action ending movies from the first Twisted Metal, and Sweet Tour. Sweet Tour is another "Lost" mode from the Twisted Metal Black sequel that was originally meant to be an on-foot combat, platforming game played as either Brimstone or Sweet Tooth driver, Needles Kane.

There is no online play, however, both Head On and Lost come complete with Deathmatch and Split Screen Co-op modes.

The PSP version was pretty, but Head On: Extra Twisted Edition features enhanced graphics and runs at a consistent 60 frames per second on the PS2. The build we played, however, lacked Progressive Scan, which would make the game widescreen friendly and crisper on bigger televisions.

If you like Twisted Metal or even God of War, then check out GamePro's exclusive interview with David Jaffe about Twisted Metal, God of War 3, and what's next for Eat Sleep Play. Also, check back for GamePro's full review of Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition on February 5th when the game launches.

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