Twisted Metal 4

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Twisted Metal 4
Twisted Metal 4.jpg
Developer(s) 989 Studios
Publisher(s) 989 Studios
Director(s) Jonathan Beard
Producer(s) Jonathan Beard
Darrin Fuller
William Todd
Programmer(s) Jim Buck
Mike Riccio
Matthew Titelbaum
William Todd
Artist(s) Baz Pringle
Jonathan Beard
Diane Covill
James Doyle
Darrin Fuller
Thai Tran
Nikola Trifunovic
Julius C. Willis III
Writer(s) Jonathan Beard
Matthew Titelbaum
William Todd
Julius C. Willis III
Composer(s) Chuck Doud
Series Twisted Metal
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release
  • NA: November 16, 1999 [1]
Genre(s) Vehicular combat
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Twisted Metal 4 is a vehicular combat video game developed and published by 989 Studios for the PlayStation. The game was released only in North America on November 16, 1999 and was re-released for the Sony Greatest Hits line-up in 2000. [2] Like the previous installment, it was not released in PAL regions.

Contents

Twisted Metal 4 is the fourth installment in the Twisted Metal series and the second and last installment to be developed by 989 Studios. The game's plot centers on Sweet Tooth, the long-time mascot of the titular Twisted Metal competition, overthrowing Calypso, the mysterious organizer of the competition, in a coup d'état. He then takes over the mantle of granting the winner of the competition a single wish, regardless of price, size or even reality.

Twisted Metal 4 received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who considered it to be an improvement over the previous Twisted Metal III , particularly in terms of level design.

Gameplay

Quatro in the Construction Yard attacking the Joneses PS1 Twisted Metal 4.jpg
Quatro in the Construction Yard attacking the Joneses

In concept, Twisted Metal 4 is a demolition derby which permits the usage of ballistic projectiles. Players choose a vehicle and an arena—or a series of arenas in the story mode—to engage in battle with opposing drivers. A variety of weapons are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The objective of the game is to be the last one standing.

The game's plot takes a different turn of events compared to its predecessors. Its intro video details the tournament's story, starting around the 1900s as a circus-type caravan that traveled across the country spreading destruction everywhere. A young Sweet Tooth finds himself amazed by the contest and runs off in its pursuit, entering and eventually winning. As his wish, he desires to become the star of Twisted Metal, which Calypso gladly grants. At first revered by the chaos he created, as time went on Sweet Tooth became jealous of Calypso, until he decides to initiate a coup d'état helped by a group of little clowns, and takes control of Twisted Metal.

It is also discovered that Calypso's source of powers comes from a mysterious ring that consumes the souls of those who die, increasing his strength and youth, and Sweet Tooth having taken it, finds that he possess the same abilities as Calypso to grant wishes. He tends to cheat people with their wishes like Calypso does as well.

Development

After a contractual dispute with the developer of the first two games in the series, SingleTrac, Twisted Metal development duties were handed over to Sony's in-house development team, 989 Studios.

In development of Twisted Metal III, the source code and physics engine for Twisted Metal 2 weren't available because they were property of SingleTrac. Therefore, new ones had to be created from scratch instead. The new source code introduced advanced physics simulation and AI techniques to the series.

In development of Twisted Metal 4, the game was reworked to improve upon the shortcomings of Twisted Metal III, introducing smoother gameplay and softer physics. Levels were expanded further and an increased arsenal of weapons was created which would ultimately become exclusive to this game.

Characters

The game includes a total of 13 selectable characters from the start. Most characters were original characters created for the game, whereas a few of the returning characters appear as stage bosses without story. Unlike previous games in the series, each stage counts with its own boss (two bosses in The Oil Rig) to defeat in order to advance. Every boss becomes selectable after defeating the story mode at least once. The musician Rob Zombie is included in the playable characters due to the large number of his songs on the previous installment in the series, Twisted Metal III.

Reception

Twisted Metal 4 received mixed to positive reception from critics, holding a rating of 68.04% based on seventeen reviews according to review aggregator GameRankings. [3] GameSpot 's Joe Fielder said that the game was a "huge leap" ahead of Twisted Metal III , commenting on the improved level design, control and physics, but remarked that the latter two "remain a little too touchy and unforgiving", and that the graphics, while "prettier" than those of Twisted Metal III, "aren't nearly as sharp as the graphics in its current main competitor - Activision's Vigilante 8: Second Offense ". [10] GameRevolution 's Brian Chin also considered the game to be an improvement over Twisted Metal III and noted that the level design has improved from the previous installment, but cited some unsatisfactory levels, physics problems, and the repetitive soundtrack as negative points. [9] IGN 's Marc Nix commented negatively on the "toy car" control, look and sound of the vehicles, but noted the "colorful" graphics and "well-done" interactive environments. [11] GamePro 's Dan Amrich said the game would satisfy fans of the Twisted Metal series, highlighting the addition of more weapons, option to create custom cars, visual improvements and hip-hop metal soundtrack, but noted that the increased speed occasionally made it difficult to spot enemies and expressed disappointment towards the recycled sound effects from previous installments. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ "Game Informer Magazine - News Story". Game Informer . May 24, 2000. Archived from the original on May 24, 2000. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Twisted Metal 4 for PlayStation". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Twisted Metal 4 for PlayStation". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. 2008. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ Thorpe, Damien (1999). "Twisted Metal 4 - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  5. ↑ Hsu, Dan; Hager, Dean; Johnston, Chris; Chou, Che (January 2000). "Review Crew: Twisted Metal 4". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 126. Ziff Davis. p. 234.
  6. ↑ Conlin, Shaun (1999). "Reviews: Twisted Metal 4". The Electric Playground . Elecplay.com Productions. Archived from the original on February 10, 2001. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  7. ↑ McNamara, Andrew; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (January 2000). "PlayStation Review: Twisted Metal 4". Game Informer . No. 81. Sunrise Publications. p. 37.
  8. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone; Weitzner, Jason; Mylonas, Eric; Ngo, George (February 2000). "Viewpoint: Twisted Metal 4; PlayStation Reviews: Twisted Metal 4". GameFan . Vol. 8, no. 2. Shinno Media. pp.  13, 27.
  9. 1 2 Chin, Brian (November 24, 1999). "Twisted Metal 4 - Playstation Review". GameRevolution . Net Revolution Inc. Archived from the original on October 25, 2004. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Fielder, Joe (November 16, 1999). "Twisted Metal 4 Review for PlayStation". GameSpot . CNET Networks. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Nix, Marc (November 22, 1999). "Twisted Metal 4 review". IGN . Snowball.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig (January 2000). "Reviews: Twisted Metal 4". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . No. 28. Ziff Davis. p. 92.
  13. ↑ "Reviews: Twisted Metal 4". PSM . No. 29. Imagine Media. January 2000. p. 53.
  14. ↑ Amrich, Dan (January 2000). "PlayStation ProReviews: Twisted Metal 4". GamePro . No. 136. IDG. p. 84.
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