Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark combat racing game that is extremely violent and gory.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Twisted Metal
What's It About?
From the same creative team responsible for the original car combat game for Sony PlayStation in 1995, TWISTED METAL is dark and twisted tale of the evil Calypso, who puts on the Twisted Metal tournament, and challenges drivers to use whatever they got to take down everyone else -- including multiple weapons of mass destruction. The single-player campaign reprises familiar characters (including Sweet Tooth, Doll Face, and Mr. Grimm), plus it adds live-action sequences to help push the bizarre story along. In fact, gamers will experience separate storylines as these characters and have access to 16 unique vehicles -- from the ice cream truck and souped-up sedans to motorcycles and a helicopter. Along with the co-op mode on one television, there are a number of online modes playable via PlayStation Network.
Is It Any Good?
For mature players, Twisted Metal is a good game, though it's not a perfect 10. This new spin on the car combat genre adds high-definition graphics, fast and responsive control, more weapons, bigger and more destructible environments, live-action story sequences, challenging boss battles, three endings, and on- and offline multiplayer modes. But on the flipside, many gamers have experienced problems going online to play against each other, be it connection errors or joining one mode (such as Nuke) but finding yourself in another (perhaps Last Man Standing). There are a few other niggles, too, such as only having three characters to play, but overall this game delivers an exhilarating action experience and should be a treat for long-time fans of the franchise. Do take heed to the warning on the front and back of the box for the game's intense violence, blood, and gore, and strong language.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether live-action story sequences -- that is, real actors rather than computer-generated ones -- is potentially more disturbing (or desensitizing) to gamers. Images of bloody death, murder, and destruction can be seen in these video sequences.
What is the impact of extreme violence, as is found in this game? Is this no different than a horror movie or worse because gamers can then play in this world?
Game Details
- Platform : PlayStation 3
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date : February 14, 2012
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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