Had a go of the demo last night having loved the series throughout (even including the lesser popular entries) and was ready to finally sample the PS3 online goodness.
Twisted Metal was always waiting for a fully realised online version (PS2 rerelease withstanding).
The demo is relatively generous with a level, 8 vehicles, 2 modes, offline and online available. The visuals of the game are on the low to middling end. Car models aren't too bad but the level is pretty sparse and plain. The sound effects and music being very reminiscent of the early TM entries on PS1. There are three control set ups available mimicking the original face button led set ups or more conventional trigger based controls. Going back to TM and being online leads it to feel more fiddly to control than memory would suggest as the quicker required responses don't come so naturally in cars. There may be more in the final game but the available weapons seem to the same as in previous games too adding to the sense of this being an update more than a sequel.
Health packs have replaced regeneration stations removing some of the risk/reward to healing too. If this seems a bit scattershot it's because I'm finding it hard to really settle on a position with it. At it's core it's the same Twisted Metal it's always been but I guess that's part of the problem as there's nothing PS3 about it, I'm unsure how much that negatively affects the experience. The games visuals are definitely too light though and the game needs slowing down quite a bit as it feels too random with everyone just charging around and spamming the fire button hoping it hits. Smaller tighter levels would be a major plus too.
The dev's have promised no DLC as there'll be full content on the disc which hopefully means plenty levels including more traditional and better designed ones await but I've gone from looking forward to it to being very review dependent now.
Twisted Metal was always waiting for a fully realised online version (PS2 rerelease withstanding).
The demo is relatively generous with a level, 8 vehicles, 2 modes, offline and online available. The visuals of the game are on the low to middling end. Car models aren't too bad but the level is pretty sparse and plain. The sound effects and music being very reminiscent of the early TM entries on PS1. There are three control set ups available mimicking the original face button led set ups or more conventional trigger based controls. Going back to TM and being online leads it to feel more fiddly to control than memory would suggest as the quicker required responses don't come so naturally in cars. There may be more in the final game but the available weapons seem to the same as in previous games too adding to the sense of this being an update more than a sequel.
Health packs have replaced regeneration stations removing some of the risk/reward to healing too. If this seems a bit scattershot it's because I'm finding it hard to really settle on a position with it. At it's core it's the same Twisted Metal it's always been but I guess that's part of the problem as there's nothing PS3 about it, I'm unsure how much that negatively affects the experience. The games visuals are definitely too light though and the game needs slowing down quite a bit as it feels too random with everyone just charging around and spamming the fire button hoping it hits. Smaller tighter levels would be a major plus too.
The dev's have promised no DLC as there'll be full content on the disc which hopefully means plenty levels including more traditional and better designed ones await but I've gone from looking forward to it to being very review dependent now.
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