by  Project Genesis
| Mar 27, 2008 |
REGARDING GRAPHICS: Twisted Metal games have always had not... spectacular graphics, but this game DOES have better graphics than its original version (available for PSP). More specifically, the special effects and explosion effects are all enhanced, the vehicles were re-rendered to be more life-like, and the lighting and textures in the stages have been touched-up. I give the graphics of TMHO:ETE a 4.0 out of 5.
REGARDING MUSIC: I've never actually had problems with the Twisted Metal 'Twisted Symphony'; I find that the music for each level is suitable. The basic musical theme for the Twisted Metal series has always more-or-less been hard-core heavy metal, usually late 70s to 80s, Def Leppard style. The music for the series is awesome and really helps to immerse the player into the world they are destroying. My personal favorite tracks from TMHO:ETE are 'Vampire's Teeth' and 'I've Got a Sweet Tooth'. They really fit the theme of TMHO:ETE and are generally just awesome tracks. I give the music of TMHO:ETE a perfect five.
REGADING CONTROLS: The controls for TMHO:ETE are straightforward and easy to remember, but if you don't like the 'Classic' controller layout, you're going to be a little annoyed when playing TMHO:ETE. It's not that that's the only layout to choose from, it's just that every time you start a playing session, you're going to have to pre-set them first, EVERY SINGLE *bleep*ING TIME. And also, for whatever reason the 'Head-On' layout that was available in the PSP version is not available in this edition. Those are not too bad of setbacks, but it will probably take awhile to remember to change the control layout everytime. I give the controls of TMHO:ETE a 4.3 out of five. They take awhile to adjust to, but they're okay otherwise.
REGARDING GAMEPLAY: The gameplay, to sum it up, KICKS ASS! I've never really played a more fun series than Twisted Metal, and, I think, TMHO and TMHO:ETE are staples of the series. They are so addictively fun that I'm sure they have kept many up late. The game is unique from the series because unlike its predecessors, it A) has unique mini-games for each level that require a different strategy and perspective to beat, and B) in this incarnation of Twisted Metal, defeating enemies yields upgrades that will improve your odds of winning, big time. Another example of unique gameplay is the Special Weapon upgrade mechanics. When your driver's special weapon is upgraded, a charge-up or button-mash mechanic is added to multiply each weapon's damage potential. As far as I know, no other game in existence has come up with such fun and creative gameplay. I give the gameplay a perfect five! Let's face it, Twisted Metal kicks ass!
REGARDING ART/CREATIVITY: Twisted Metal is one of the most creative series I know of. First of all, it was the first vehicle-combat game. And also, the creators have managed to come up with such a wide variety of based-on-real-life vehicles each equipped with their own special weapon. Each S.W. is unique and suits the vehicle its used by, which is very important. The levels that have gone into each game are creative renditions of real-life places (with the exception of TM:B) that you can tell right away "Oh yeah, this is definitely Paris" or "Hey, this is New York!". The game is artistically and gameplay-ily so creative that it would be EXTREMELY difficult to establish a worthy rival series. I give this aspect of the game a perfect five as well.
REGARDING REPLAY VALUE/TARGET AUDIENCE: Twisted Metal was never intended (especially Twisted Metal Black) for little children to play, but nonetheless, it is a very refreshing and unique gameplay experience in seemingly perfect balance that almost never gets old. It is such an immersive and entertaining multiplayer experience that it leaves 99% of fans begging for more. It's just too bad that TMHO:ETE isn't online-compatible. As fun as it is to smash CPUs, fighting TM veterans from across the world is WAY more fun. Me, I'd play TMHO:ETE millions of times before it gets old. I give this aspect a perfect five... do I see a pattern?
TMHO:ETE really delivered fans what they were asking for, especially with its massive number of bonus features, created especially for the hard-core fan. I really love being able to witness the history of TM and also what could have been... like Twisted Metal Lost, the unfinished sequel to TM:B. Here you can play the four completed levels and as the vehicles from TM:B (plus a new one, I think). I also really love the asylum. Here you can play as Sweet Tooth and explore tons of bonus content, all on foot, giving players a taste of what was planned for TM:L. This game is really fun and jaw-droppingly cheap, at just $20.00! The game is totally worth it (hell, it should cost $59.99!), and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who have never played a Twisted Metal game. It is unparalleled when compared to the rest of my vast video game collection, and I think it will stay that way... till the next TM game!
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