Twisted Metal: Head-On

Because you like your metal to be twisted, and your games to be good. Because no multiplayer-enabled console should launch without a frantic, shoot-everything-in-sight vehicular combat game. And because Sony knows we love the Twisted Metal series, the PSP lands on planet Earth with a game that doesn't seem so alien.

Twisted Metal: Head-On is a port/remake of the PS2 version. None of it feels entirely ported over, but very little of it feels entirely new. I'm not complaining though. Twisted Metal has always been Twisted Metal, AKA vehicular combat at its best.

Blasting the player with everything its got, Head-On comes fully loaded with 10 levels and over 12 psychotic drivers to control. The environments are big, gritty, and highly destructive. Newcomers will missile everything in sight as a result of their lacking skills, while series veterans will missile everything out of joy, curiosity, or both. You never know what might blow up. You never know when a bomb will unintentionally take out an enemy in the process.

Twisted Metal is loved for its multiplayer, but the single-player experience of Head-On is very rewarding. The standard battles aren't too nightmarish, but the boss battles are quite a challenge. They're a big step up from the regular enemies, each of which has a life meter similar to yours. Bosses, however, may have several hit points that must be struck before their energy meter (force field?) can be penetrated. It took me more than a couple of tries to take down the first boss. Blame it on the few hours I've spent with the series (prior to Head-On I hadn't played a TM game in over a year). Or blame it on my twisted meddling with other games (Tekken 5 needs my dedication).

The location of the boss' weak points are particularly challenging, forcing players to use a little more thought than they would expect from a vehicular combat game. "It has weak points all over its body, from top to bottom. I shoot and shoot, but my homing missiles aren't doing anything!" Then you realize that if you shifted into reverse and quickly accelerated, the boss wouldn't have time to turn his vehicle around before you could get a shot off.

Now that those hot spots have been hit, you notice one final target: the roof of the boss's vehicle. It's not the easiest weapon to use, but Napalm is your best (and perhaps only) way to hit the roof. It's also a great weapon for damaging multiple enemies at a time. Napalm is thrown forward, reaching long distances very quickly. It'll explode on impact, but there's a smirk to be had if you pull the trigger as it flies through the air. It'll explode, leaving a nice trace of destructive goodness, harming everything in its path (including you if you're not careful).

Head-On includes all the other Twisted Metal favorites: a weak machine gun with unlimited ammo, homing missiles, fire missiles, power missiles, ricochet discs, remote bombs and swarm missiles.

The coolest weapons are those that belong to each individual character. Warthog fires a cluster of missiles that are more powerful than any of the standard pick-ups. Twister creates a tornado that whirlwinds the crap out of anyone who gets sucked into it. Mr. Slam, a deadly-looking construction vehicle, will pick up and slam the player who's foolish enough to drive near him when he's got his special attack loaded.

Learning how and when to use each of these weapons is a fairly difficult task, one that I look forward to every time a new Twisted Metal game comes out. It's the vehicular combat equivalent of a fighting game. Though not as deep, Head-On's characters have individual gameplay qualities that must be mastered both as a player and as an opponent. It's okay to dislike a character, but if you don't learn his or her traits, you might as well throw in the towel now and save yourself some embarrassment.

Chances are you will dislike one of the characters, if not several of them. Twisted Metal's storyline has never been lighthearted. On PSone and PS2 it seemed to get darker and more demented with every sequel. Head-On's characters are more about freedom and survival. Captain Jamie Roberts wishes to stop the contest, putting an end to Calypso's curses. Simon Whittlebone, a cranky architect who died after falling from the top of his biggest tower, wants to win the competition so that he can get back to Earth. Mortimer Scharf accepts the fact that he's dead, but needs to win in order to rest in eternal peace. Some drunk kids dug up his grave. He's been awake and miserable ever since.

Sometimes we're all awake and miserable. It's late. You've got work or school in the morning and you just can't sleep. What to do? Reach for the best night light a gamer could ever ask for: PSP. Fire up Twisted Metal: Head-On, and turn those boring, toss-and-turn moments into something you'll end up looking forward to. If your parents want to know why you're turning in so early, you could always tell them that your girlfriend is spending the night. When they see the room is empty they'll assume she took off, allowing you to continue your obsession without being interrupted.

Gameplay: 9.0
Twisted Metal: Head-On is like an all-you-can-eat buffet at your favorite restaurant. There are delicious delicacies (vehicles) everywhere in sight. You can get a side of mashed potatoes (weapons), 10 all-natural chicken strips (environments), or go straight for the dessert (boss battles). Whatever your desire, Twisted Metal: Head-On is here to satisfy your taste buds.

Graphics: 8.5
Large-scale 3D environments and noteworthy explosion effects. Not on par with the PS2's visuals, but that won't stop anyone from saying, "I can't believe I'm playing this game on a handheld!"

Sound: 8.0
Vehicular sounds and Twisted Metal music.

Difficulty: Med/Hard
It seemed like a walk in the park ... then the boss came in, huffing and puffing, yelling and screaming, demanding his way or else. "Or else what?" Or else game over for you. Of course, if he gets his way it's still game over. Better start practicing. Human relations can't help you with this management problem.

Concept: 8.0
A no-brainer. Head-On is high on quality, high on replay value, and high on multiplayer enjoyment.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Why-Fi? Without it, you can't play against five deadly real-life opponents. LAN or online play available, ensuring a long lifespan for the game.

Overall: 9.0
Wipeout Pure is the number-one reason to buy a PSP. On March 24th, Twisted Metal: Head-On will be number two. Head-On is the first top-of-the-line multiplayer game designed for a handheld. It's vehicular combat at its finest. It's satisfying, but will leave you hungry for another bite.