Publisher: Eat Sleep Play / Sony Computer Entertainment

Cert: 18+

Platform: PS3

Genre: Vehicle Combat

The longest running 'car' franchise exclusive to Sony returns to the PS3. So, feel sorry for the local populous as once again 'innocent civilians' is just another term for roadkill. For those new to the game, the mysterious Calypso (essentially the devil) organises a Destruction Derby where machine-guns and homing missiles are the norm and arenas can range from transforming stadiums to local neighbourhoods. Whichever psycho wins will have one wish granted. It is just a shame that Calypso will twist those wishes into something rather cruel.

Pilot your vehicle to get power ups and blast your enemies away. On paper it sounds like a slight modification on Mario Kart but the graphics here and games violent tone give it a completely different feel. The single player story mode was apparently a late addition in this games development and it clearly shows. For existing fans, there will be considerable disappointment that there are only three storylines instead of the multiple plots of previous entries. Anyone new to Twisted Metal, instead. may well put off by the entry point to the game. The first plot revolves around Sweet Tooth the serial killer clown whose only ambition is to find the one victim who got away. If you are not aware from the start that there is a good chance his wish is going to be twisted against him, you may find it hard pushed to continue playing a serial killer planning to make a deal with the devil in order to kill his own daughter.

The single players difficulty curve is also an issue. The game starts of easy and you will have no trouble clearing the first course or two - even if an absolute beginner. Cut then to races where every computer a.i. has decided that its not the winning that matters but insuring that the human driver looses. If judged on the single player campaign than it would be difficult to recommend TM but, as mentioned, the real action is in the multiplayer.

Online play runs as smoothly as offline and I experienced no lag. Jumping into quick matches did take far too long to set up and I had to rely on browsing through available game sessions rather then letting the computer pair me up. Tracks are diverse with action ranged from suburbs, to ice rinks to roof top showdowns and there is a lot to see and find. The sheer amount of destructible physics, however, while fun can weaken the unique feel of the levels. Team and death matches are available plus a new 'nuke' mode requiring teams to capture and sacrifice opposing teams leaders in order to launch missiles at the other squad's statue. It does provide some fairly decent team based action but I found the rules a bit too over worked to get excited by.

Even with the Twilight Zone / Tales from the Crypt macabre sensibility, the single player story felt too dark and out of place with the mindless action. Nor would I ever recommend this to anyone who focuses on single player campaigns. As a multiplayer game it succeeds in providing a fun competitive arena but does not reach the game play highs of past iterations.

Rent or Buy: Buy

Graphics: 3/5
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Replay: 4/5

Overall: 3.5/5

Reviewed by: JP Gallagher