There's basically two things that can happen to a 'series' of games. Either the sequels get better - or they get worse. Twisted Metal: Black takes the Twisted Metal series to a whole new level.

The 'Black' in the name refers to a character in the game, the dark mood of the game, and the theme song, 'Paint it Black', by the Rolling Stones. There is a teaser of the song at the intro to the game, the song in its entirety during the credits, and a multitude of variations of the theme are woven into the background music of the game.The sound effects are handled nicely and the music is very good, but the visuals are amazing. With the various weapons in the game, there are of course, a lot of special effects, explosions, beam weapons and my favorite, the missiles. There's just something cool (and unsettlingly refreshing) about letting loose a swarm of missles on the motorist ahead of you. Even the menu is handled artistically, with zooms and pans between the characters to be selected and closeups on elements (such as Sweet Tooth) to reveal option selections. I won't ruin it for you - just explore the menus and see how cool they are. Overall, the production quality of TM:B really shines.

Eye-candy and ear-candy is nothing unless the game is fun to play. Twisted Metal: Black has 'fun' in spades... and in chains, no doubt! The game is rated 'mature', and I think it definitely has earned that rating. TM:B allows you to run over innocent(?) bystanders, shoot down planes, destroy buildings, blow up amusement parks, and generally cause horrific mayhem while participating in a bloodsport in which the object is to put a bunch of pyschopathic mental ward patients in cars and have them try to kill each other. You play one of the lunatics. This is (obviously) great fun! ...but it's also not the kind I would want a young child playing. This could possibly give a child a distorted view of the world. But then again, I wouldn't let a child watch porno or horror flicks over and over, so what do I know?!

If you like the previous Twisted Metal games, you'll love this one. You'd have to be crazy not to!

What are you... afraid of some measly lunatics racing around in heavily armed modified vehicles chasing you for sport? Why, just do what I do! Just get in your car, drive out there and - - (akk-akk-ackack-akk-akk-akk-akk ...UNgggg......thud.)


July 17
Oh, looks like he wasn't quite done with what he was writing. Well, I don't think he'll be writing anything else, so I guess I'll have to finish it for him. Shooting other people in cars can be hard. Sometimes you have to try again and again and again and again and again and again- until you get that funny pain in your face from smiling and straining against the staples. Yes, sometimes it's hard to kill... and then again, sometimes it's hard to stop...

(Taken from notes found upon the person of the victim at the scene of the crime)
Make sure to mention:
-game plays very nicely
-excellent addition to PS2 library
-must-have for Twisted Metal fans
-cool branching path
-vibration compatible
[[excellent game - score in hi 90s]]
Don't forget: CALCULUS QUIZ TOMORROW! (Note: the last part was circled in red, but does not appear to be related to the same topic as the rest.)