Twisted Metal: Head-On videogame
Specs
Title: Twisted Metal: Head-On Extra Twisted Edition
Genre: vehicular combat video game
Developer: Incognito Entertainment (PSP), Eat Sleep Play (PS2)
Publisher: SCEA
Director: David Jaffe
Producer: Gene D. Martin
Designers: David Jaffe, Scot Campbell, T. Don Henderson
Artist: Gene D. Martin
Writers: Tom Kling (stories), Gene D. Martin (stories), David Jaffe, Scot Campbell
Composer: Inon Zur
Series: Twisted Metal
Platform: Play Station Portable, Play Station 2
Release dates: PSP - NA: March 24, 2005 & EU: November 4, 2005; PS 2 - NA: February 5, 2008
Modes: Single-player, Multi-player
Synopsis
The game play revolves around Calypso, a man who holds vehicular combat tournaments called "Twisted Metal".The drivers choose their vehicles and progress through series maps/arenas fighting Artificial Intelligence controlled enemies until death. Transylvania Castle is an exclusive level, the map is highly interactive due to the setting - Romanian castle and its surroundings - which poses many threats to the drivers.
Personal view:
It is always the scary castle, you can even hear subconsciously the cry of the wolves and owls at night. The Romanian map, Transylvania, is shown through one symbol - a medieval castle, a strong ominous fortress in the center, coming out of a shattered green glass. One could as well prepare for a horror movie intro, only it is a car-mageddon type of gameplay. You have death match your opponent, get the power ups available and destroy from the inside of the vehicle.
This game's stage must have been a delight to the surprise of the players. This massive castle might be overwhelming at first sight, BUT as the action unfolds you discover it is without doubt stimulating. When driving at that speed, it is impossible to omit the portals, long tunnels or the gloomy gates. The tall pillars looming above, the bridges and wall environment look comforting when trying to win a death match.
The vampire fortress with its burning torches looks nothing like Bran or even Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, giving that spine-chilling vibe and goes along so well with the heavy metal soundtrack. It seems like the developers got sidetracked a bit and drifted away from reality.
Then the player is thrown into the arena, the inside of the Castle on a gothic music background. The gates are mere memories of Vlad the Impaler's customs, looking as if the spikes are ready to pierce through the car. The gray castle looks majestic though, despite the bleak hexed trees fighting the cold dead weather, the one Saul Bellow despised in "The Dean's December". Although I don't think Bellow will like to visit this place, the players really love this kind of background.
