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Twisted Metal 4

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Twisted Metal 4
Developer(s)989 Studios
Publisher(s)989 Studios
SeriesTwisted Metal (series)
Platform(s)PlayStation
ReleaseOctober 31, 1999
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single player, Multiplayer

Twisted Metal 4 is the fourth game in the Twisted Metal vehicular combat high selling series, released in 1999. It was the second and last attempt at the Twisted Metal series developed by the recent game company 989 Studios and was an improvement over the previous game.

The game was re-released as part of Sony Greatest Hits program.

Overview

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 predecesors. Its intro video details the tournament's story, starting around the 1900's 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 venered by the chaos he created, as time went on Sweet Tooth became jealous of Calypso, until he decides to initiate a coup d'etat helped by a group of midget clowns, and takes control of Twisted Metal.

It is also stated Calypso's source of powers comes from a mysterious ring that consumes the souls of those who die, increasing his strength and youth. It is due to Sweet Tooth having taken it that he possess the same abilities as Calypso to grant wishes.

Development

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

In development of Twisted Metal III, it was found that the source code for Twisted Metal II had turned up missing. Because of this, the entire source code and physics engine and to be done over again. The new source code introduced advanced physics simulation and AI techniques to the series. However, the new engine is viewed as somewhat buggy in comparison to the previous two titles.

In development of Twisted Metal 4, the game was reworked to improve upon the shortcomings of Twisted Metal III, smoother gameplay and softer physics. Levels were expanded further and a much varied arsenal of weapons was created exclusively for the game, much of which remained on this game only.

While the game received better comments compared to its prequel, and it also became a best-seller, it was still panned by the fans of the first two installments of the series.

Game features

Twisted Metal 4 retained the original system of its predecesor, Twisted Metal III, albeit it was adjusted to be much quicker and flexible. It also introduced new features, most of which did not returned in following games:

  • Expanded weapon repertoire: Unlike Twisted Metal III which included few new weapons to the ones created in Twisted Metal 2, Twisted Metal 4 includes a much diverse set of weapons to pick during gameplay. Among the most notable new weapons are Freeze Remotes, Proximity Mines and missiles that shoot forward a barrage of smaller projectiles.
  • Save game: Twisted Metal 4 discards the password system of its predecesors and instead allows players to save their progress in the Memory Card. The data allowed a total of 30 different campaigns to be saved, both single and co-op.
  • Create-A-Car: A mode that allows players to create their own car to be used in the game. The mode includes 9 different vehicle types, each with different paint jobs and accessories to use, as well as an unique special attack and a warcry that'd activate when used. It remains to date the only home-console car combat game to use such mode.

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 charactes appears as stage bosses without story. Unlike previous games in the series, each stage counts with its own boss to defeat in order to advance. Every boss becomes selectable after defeating it.

Vehicle Name Vehicle Type Driver Story
Calypso Soviet nuke mobile Calypso De-throned master of the contest, competes to claim it back.
Captain Grimm 4-wheeled pirate ship Captain Grimm A deceased, skeletal pirate captain out for Sweet Tooth's soul.
Drag Queen Funny car Dennis 'Petunia' Flanders An obscenely large cross-dresser that wants to keep up his hobby.
Gen. Warthog WW1 tank Not named A war veteran seeking the mightiest army on Earth.
Goggle Eyes Bug-extermination van Not named A first rate chemist that desires to eliminate all the bugs on the world.
Meter Maid Meter Car Zanita Corbett A young female officer out to deliver a traffic bill.
Microblast Real-size toy car Not named A circus performer who is troubled by his short stature.
Mr. Zombie Dragula Rob Zombie A zombified rockstar that wants to "let the world hear his wails".
Orbital Sleek sports car Not named A secret spy with half his face covered by a metal plate.
Pizza Boy Pizza delivery hatch-back Connor Nazang A white rapper delivery boy who enjoys illegal car racings.
Quatro Xeon Hoverbike Quatro Intergalactic bounty-hunter out for Sweet Tooth's head.
The Joneses Station wagon Ralph & Meg Jones A family that is searching for a permanent house.
Trash Man Dump Truck Not named A huge, childish garbage man wishing for a world made of trash.
Crusher Scrap Crusher Unknown First boss on the game.
Moon Buggy 6-wheeled moon trekker Unknown Second boss on the game.
Super Thumper Luxury lowrider Unknown, even though it's most likely Bruce Cochrane Third boss on the game.
RC Car Life-size RC car Unknown Fourth boss on the game.
Super Axel Armored 2-wheeled vehicle Unknown, even though it's most likely Axel Fifth boss on the game.
Super Auger Crane cab with oil drill Unknown, even though it's most likely Buster Cobb Sixth boss on the game alongside Super Slamm.
Super Slamm Bulldozer Unknown, even though it's most likely Simon Whittlebone Sixth boss on the game alongside Super Auger.
Minion War tank Minion Seventh boss on the game.
Sweet Tooth Armored ice cream truck Needles Kane Final boss and current master of the contest.

Levels

Construction Site

A construction yard with four different areas. Includes a controllable crane that lets the player pick up enemy cars and drop them on strategical places, such as flamethrowers.

Neon City

A futuristic city. Includes a subway train that moves along its rails and rams any unsuspecting player on its way.

Road Rage

A large set of freeways that converges on themselves. The player can find certain speed pads that shoots their character forward with great force.

The Bedroom

A giant-sized bedroom, decorated with Sweet Tooth's imagery.

Amazonia 3000 B.C.

A prehistoric version of Amazonia, possibly based on Twisted Metal 2 own Amazonia level.

The Oil Rig

An oil rig located high above the surface. Falling outside the stage means instant death. Only Level with two bosses

The Maze

A giant maze with various different tiers. Its walls are decorated with depictions of Minion's, Sweet Tooth's and Calypso's faces.

The Carnival

Final stage on the game, a carnival which seems to be propiety of Sweet Tooth. It has two tents, a central fire ring area, a spooky course and a roller coaster.

Reception

The game was panned by critics and fans, though it did receive more favorable reviews than its predecessor, Twisted Metal III. It has an average score of 69% at Game Rankings.

Some fans of the first two Twisted Metal titles do not view 989 Studios' games (the third and fourth games) as true entries in the Twisted Metal franchise and canon. Fan site Twisted Metal Alliance protested the games, even going as far as setting up a petition against 989 Studios and potentially Sony. This ended when Incognito Entertainment, formed by members of SingleTrac, the studio responsible for the first two games, was put in charge of developing Twisted Metal: Black and future games in the franchise.

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