Twisted Metal: Black
Encyclopedia
Twisted Metal: Black is a vehicle combat
video game developed by Incognito Entertainment
(formerly Incog Inc.) for the PlayStation 2
video game console. It is the fifth installment to the Twisted Metal
series and was released June 18, 2001. An online enabled multiplayer-only variant, Twisted Metal: Black Online, was released later as a free send away.
Both Twisted Metal: Black and Twisted Metal: Black Online were reissued as part of Sony Greatest Hits program.
that 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 and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The objective of the game is to be the last one standing.
The basis of the plot follows the same structure as in all the previous games: Calypso runs a car-based contest called Twisted Metal (though in the game the contest is never called that), in which the various characters compete risking their lives to claim the tournament's prize - any single wish they desire, no matter the difficulty, rarity or even reality of such wish. It should be pointed out that while Calypso is indeed malevolent, characters who have malevolent wishes (which make most of the cast) have their wishes granted without him tricking them on the wishes, while those seeking more noble ends find that Calypso usually has the last laugh. In a somewhat different take from previous games, each character has their own story, which they narrate from their own point of view. Each of them starts with them being visited by Calypso, who knows what they desire and offers them in his contest. More of the characters' background is revealed in their midpoint cutscene, which happens after the sub-boss Minion is defeated.
The game instead takes place within a single city known as "Midtown", with most competitors coming from the city's mental asylum, "Blackfield".
Twisted Metal: Black has a diverse cast made up from both new and returning characters, some of which have changed drastically from their previous appearances. There are a total of fifteen selectable characters.
division, Sony sought to return the franchise to its roots for the PS2 incarnation. To do so, they handed off the franchise to newly formed developer Incog Inc., which was founded by several previous employees of SingleTrac
, the developer responsible for creating the Twisted Metal franchise, including several of the key developers behind the first two Twisted Metal games.
Over the course of development, several features were cut from the final product. It was originally intended for Thumper to be included, but he was cut as the developers felt the character did not fit in with the storyline. Warhawk was also supposed to be playable, but was removed due to time constraints.
Due to explicitly violent storylines of the characters, Twisted Metal: Black is the first game in the series to receive a Mature (M) rating by the ESRB
. It was also due to this that the PAL
version of the game suffered the removal of all the character's movies. When it was revealed that it was possible to shoot down a 747 during play in one of the levels, it was removed from the PAL release as well, and instead the plane was seen crashed at the start of the level.
The song used in part of the opening title screen and the ending credits is the song "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones
.
and a rating of 9.6 out of 10 from IGN
. In Gamespot's Best and Worst of 2001, the game was nominated for Best Shooting Game, and came in ninth in their Game of the Year category.
Details on the game were revealed in the PlayStation 2
port of Twisted Metal: Head On, Twisted Metal Head-on: Extra Twisted Edition. It was originally planned the levels of Harbor City to be greatly expanded and inter-connected with one another, giving a greater feeling of a single, complete world rather than stand-alone levels. According to bonus material on Extra Twisted Edition, the project was scrapped because of the deaths of six key developers in a plane crash.
The four completed levels were included in the game as a bonus feature entitled Twisted Metal: Lost.
Vehicular combat game
Vehicular combat games are typically video or computer games where the primary focus of play concerns automobiles or other vehicles, normally armed with guns or other weaponry, attempting to destroy vehicles controlled by the CPU or by opposing players...
video game developed by Incognito Entertainment
Incognito Entertainment
Incognito Entertainment was an American video game development company founded in May 1999 and is the developer of titles such as Twisted Metal, Warhawk and Jet Moto. The team was formed by former employees of SingleTrac, it was based in Salt Lake City and was part of Santa Monica Studio...
(formerly Incog Inc.) for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
video game console. It is the fifth installment to the Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal is a series of vehicular combat video games published by Sony Computer Entertainment, and developed by various companies during its tenure. The series began on the PlayStation in 1995 and currently features seven games, with an eighth installment currently in production...
series and was released June 18, 2001. An online enabled multiplayer-only variant, Twisted Metal: Black Online, was released later as a free send away.
Both Twisted Metal: Black and Twisted Metal: Black Online were reissued as part of Sony Greatest Hits program.
Overview
In concept, Twisted Metal: Black is a demolition derbyDemolition derby
Demolition derby is a motorsport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another...
that permits the usage of ballistic
Ballistics
Ballistics is the science of mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, gravity bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.A ballistic body is a body which is...
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 and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The objective of the game is to be the last one standing.
The basis of the plot follows the same structure as in all the previous games: Calypso runs a car-based contest called Twisted Metal (though in the game the contest is never called that), in which the various characters compete risking their lives to claim the tournament's prize - any single wish they desire, no matter the difficulty, rarity or even reality of such wish. It should be pointed out that while Calypso is indeed malevolent, characters who have malevolent wishes (which make most of the cast) have their wishes granted without him tricking them on the wishes, while those seeking more noble ends find that Calypso usually has the last laugh. In a somewhat different take from previous games, each character has their own story, which they narrate from their own point of view. Each of them starts with them being visited by Calypso, who knows what they desire and offers them in his contest. More of the characters' background is revealed in their midpoint cutscene, which happens after the sub-boss Minion is defeated.
The game instead takes place within a single city known as "Midtown", with most competitors coming from the city's mental asylum, "Blackfield".
Twisted Metal: Black has a diverse cast made up from both new and returning characters, some of which have changed drastically from their previous appearances. There are a total of fifteen selectable characters.
Development
After the poorly received versions of Twisted Metal produced by Sony's 989 Studios989 Studios
989 Studios was a division of Sony Computer Entertainment America that developed games for the PlayStation consoles and Windows personal computers. Their titles include Twisted Metal III and 4, Syphon Filter and 2, Jet Moto 3, Bust a Groove, EverQuest and others...
division, Sony sought to return the franchise to its roots for the PS2 incarnation. To do so, they handed off the franchise to newly formed developer Incog Inc., which was founded by several previous employees of SingleTrac
SingleTrac
SingleTrac Entertainment Technologies was a video game developer, mostly for the PlayStation platform. The management team and much of the original development team came from Evans & Sutherland, bringing their 3D graphics and software engineering skills into the video game industry.Its most famous...
, the developer responsible for creating the Twisted Metal franchise, including several of the key developers behind the first two Twisted Metal games.
Over the course of development, several features were cut from the final product. It was originally intended for Thumper to be included, but he was cut as the developers felt the character did not fit in with the storyline. Warhawk was also supposed to be playable, but was removed due to time constraints.
Due to explicitly violent storylines of the characters, Twisted Metal: Black is the first game in the series to receive a Mature (M) rating by the ESRB
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games as well as entertainment software in Canada, Mexico and...
. It was also due to this that the PAL
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
version of the game suffered the removal of all the character's movies. When it was revealed that it was possible to shoot down a 747 during play in one of the levels, it was removed from the PAL release as well, and instead the plane was seen crashed at the start of the level.
The song used in part of the opening title screen and the ending credits is the song "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
.
Reception
Twisted Metal: Black garnered highly positive reviews from various video game publications. It received a rating of 9.5 out of 10.0 from GamespotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
and a rating of 9.6 out of 10 from IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
. In Gamespot's Best and Worst of 2001, the game was nominated for Best Shooting Game, and came in ninth in their Game of the Year category.
Twisted Metal Black: Harbor City
Twisted Metal Black was to have a sequel titled Twisted Metal Black: Harbor City, though it was never officially announced and the project was later scrapped.Details on the game were revealed in the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
port of Twisted Metal: Head On, Twisted Metal Head-on: Extra Twisted Edition. It was originally planned the levels of Harbor City to be greatly expanded and inter-connected with one another, giving a greater feeling of a single, complete world rather than stand-alone levels. According to bonus material on Extra Twisted Edition, the project was scrapped because of the deaths of six key developers in a plane crash.
The four completed levels were included in the game as a bonus feature entitled Twisted Metal: Lost.