Twisted Metal 2 is a vehicular combat video game created by SingleTrac and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the second game in the Twisted Metal series and was first released in 1996 for PlayStation and Windows computers.
The Windows version of the game has slightly simpler graphics than the PlayStation version but does not require a 3D accelerator video card. It also includes a multiplayer mode that can be played over a modem connection or the Internet.
Two years after its initial release, Twisted Metal 2 was re-released as part of PlayStation's Greatest Hits collection. At that time, it was published by 989 Studios, a company owned by Sony Computer Entertainment America. The game was later made available for download on the PlayStation Network in Japan on July 26, 2007, and in North America on November 1, 2007. On July 18, 2023, it was released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Gameplay
Twisted Metal 2 is a game similar to a demolition derby, where players can use vehicles and ballistic projectiles. Players select a vehicle and an arena, or multiple arenas in story mode, to compete against other drivers. Weapons are found as pickups scattered across the game stages. The goal is to be the last player remaining. A two-player duel mode returns from the first Twisted Metal game, and a co-operative mode allows two players to team up and play through tournament mode together. If the game is completed in co-operative mode, there is no ending.
Plot
In 2006, Los Angeles is destroyed, and its people are left to fight for survival after a harsh competition called Twisted Metal, which was held by Calypso one year earlier on Christmas Eve. Calypso is on his airship, which displays the message "CALYPSO RULER OF THE EARTH," flying above the ruined city. He is deciding where the next Twisted Metal competition will take place. Fourteen of the world's top drivers have already gathered to compete for whatever prize they want. Calypso chooses the entire world as the battleground. In addition to the ruins of Los Angeles, drivers will also compete in Moscow, Paris, Amazonia, New York City, Antarctica, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong.
After defeating all opponents in Amazonia, the player must fight Minion before moving to New York City. After defeating all opponents in Hong Kong, the player battles Dark Tooth. Once Dark Tooth (and his flaming head) is defeated, the driver meets Calypso in New York City to receive their prize.
Development
In late 1995, SingleTrac began thinking of ideas for a new Twisted Metal game. Because the first Twisted Metal game was very successful, the team was given 16 months to make the sequel, which was longer than the time allowed for the original game.
Reception
Twisted Metal 2 was both a financial and critical success. The PlayStation version sold 1.74 million copies in the United States alone. The PlayStation version has an average score of 86.44% on GameRankings, based on eight reviews. The PC version averages 49.50% on the same website, based on two reviews.
Critics generally said the game improved over the original Twisted Metal because of larger, more detailed levels and better characters. However, they had mixed opinions about the graphics. Four reviewers from Electronic Gaming Monthly said the original game had average graphics and the sequel did not improve them. GameSpot’s Jeff Kitts agreed there was no improvement but said the graphics still looked acceptable. GamePro said the graphics were better than the first game but still average, mentioning issues like plain buildings, blurriness, and visual problems near walls. Next Generation claimed Twisted Metal 2 had clearer textures, fewer glitches, and a smoother frame rate. Both GameSpot and Next Generation said the core gameplay was the same as the original, with no major changes. GamePro said the exciting gameplay, especially the two-player mode, made the game enjoyable. Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly said the first Twisted Metal was not great, but the sequel was much better, even though it looked similar at first.
Twisted Metal 2 was a runner-up for Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Action Game of the Year (losing to Die Hard Trilogy). The next year, EGM ranked the PlayStation version number 64 on their "100 Best Games of All Time," saying the variety of vehicles, levels, and weapons made multiplayer matches exciting. In 2003, Twisted Metal 2 was added to GameSpot’s list of the greatest games of all time.
Frosty Treats, an ice cream truck company, sued Sony, saying Twisted Metal 2 used the company’s name and had a clown character similar to its own safety clown. In the court case Frosty Treats, Inc. v. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled against Frosty Treats because the claims were too generic or unlikely to confuse consumers.