Twisted Metal arrives on the PS3, and... well I would play online, if it worked.
Twisted Metal features car combat, destructible terrain, and many bugs which detract from the fun. There are three stories to play through which will pit you in various car arenas, races, and against bosses. The controls are a mess: some of the button layout makes sense but what driving game has ever used the square button for accelerate? The controls also cannot be customized.
In the various matches you are pitted against a number of AI foes whose job it is, is to be lame and frustrate you. They practically never attack each other and always gang up on you and there are many times where due to various rockets, missles, and bullets hitting your vehicle all in sequence you can do nothing for several seconds but watch your car do rolls down the road. Im not sure if this game is supposed to be all about having mad skills but if the devs are trying to introduce people into the franchise they are doing a rather poor job.
Online mode is hard to even get to work with constanly being kicked while in a match because of what the game calls network problems. And you can be matched with people who already have unlocked everything so they have an innate advantage against anyone that hasnt gone through the story of the emo clown who seems to murder for the pleasure of it.
Graphics B
The various stages look good and simulate realistic cities to some extent. Buildings crumble at seeming the slightest touch or bullet impant yet so does everything on the terrain. So make sure you go into the game not expecting things to have realism and the graphics are good. Nothing that will knock your socks off your make the PS3 sweat, but they are good.
Sound C
Explosions rock just about everything and will be what you hear most. when the din dies down on the off chance, rock and roll tracks play in the background. The voice overs during cutscenes fit in well with the characters.
Fun Factor B-
As much as I have tried to enjoy the game fully it is hard to a lot of times with the cheap AI, the wonky controls, and the game's crashing and online disconnecting bugs.
Replay Value C
I played through the story mode feeling more glad that it was over because I finally beat the cheap bosses rather than feeling accomplished. I must say that overall I am rather disappointed in the game and feel that corners were cut. This is especially glaring since there are still stability problems with the game. It is hard to want to continue to play something if you know it is going to randomly lockup, reset, or kick you from and online match with no warning.
So Twisted Metal PS3 gets a passing grade, but I experienced more frustration than fun with it. LAN matchups with friends are good fun but that is one of its only saving graces.
Final Score C