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GAME:
Twisted Metal
is a now-old establishment by Sony, and has seen an incarnation on
all of their platforms so far. Twisted Metal: Head-On is the
version designed specifically for the PSP. But even here you can see
not much has changed.
A vehicular shooter, Head-On
features 3 main single-player modes…the quick access Challenge
mode, the tournament-style Endurance mode, and the mode for
deeper play: Story mode. Though use of the word story may be
slightly exaggerated here.
In Head-On, we get
a total of 10 environments to drive around, as well as 14 vehicles
with unique features to play with.
Whatever way you choose
to progress through the game, you still have the same sort of
enhancements such as weapon and item drops, upgrade items (for
destroying enemies) and even special energy-required abilities such
as being able to freeze your enemy in their tracks. This gives the
game slightly more depth than a simple run-n-gun, but is still found
problematic in the strategy department. Typically you’ll find
yourself driving in circles trying to get behind another car to
blast, for example.
With some unlockables to
be found in the single-player mode, you’ll probably want to attack
this first…especially to get your hands used to the dynamics of
the game. After this, Head-On features a rewarding
multiplayer experience with a few local friends, or even online
against up to 6 opponents. As long as you have a wireless access
point, you can set up an account for free and frag to your heart’s
content.
Unfortunately you really
have to enjoy the game to want to get thrashed online, and Head-On
isn’t exactly innovative in design. But if you want a quick
distraction, I would recommend the game for fast-paced carnage.
TECHNOLOGY:
Unfortunately the
technology of the PSP handheld system can only go so far, but Sony
has done a great job adapting the game to the limitations of the
system, and pushing the limits of handheld technology.
The graphics are nicely
rendered, particularly some of the arena environments…and 3D
models don’t bog the system down under 25fps or so. Likewise, the
game effects and soundtrack are a nice touch to the experience.
Handling on the game is
proportionate to the specs of the system…there doesn’t appear to
be any visible issues with the gameplay as far as slowdown
goes…though online play really depends on your connection to the
router as well as the server.
OVERALL:
Head-On,
in my opinion, is best in small doses. It’s fun to take the
destruction online for a few rounds and challenge the AI to a battle
every so often…but it isn’t one I have found myself returning to
time and again.
With some unlockables to
keep you busy and a solid multiplayer function (one of the most
advanced in the handheld world), it will probably keep fans of the
series happy if nothing else.
Game: C+ (Got some
options)
Technology: A- (Next-gen
handheld)
Overall: B- (Fun enough)
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