Twisted Metal: Head-On
Encyclopedia
Twisted Metal: Head-On is a video game developed by Incognito Entertainment
and released by Sony
on March 24, 2005 for the PlayStation Portable
and February 5, 2008 for the PlayStation 2
. Head-On shares not only the distinction of being the seventh game released in the Twisted Metal
series, but also is the first game in the series to ship fully online-enabled.
Head-On is a direct sequel
to Twisted Metal 2
, ignoring the events of Twisted Metal III
and Twisted Metal 4
. Akin to other games in the series, Head-On revolves around the same theme of a man named Calypso holding a vehicular combat tournament called "Twisted Metal" with the promise of granting the winner whatever they ask for. In 2006, Twisted Metal: Head-On was one of the first games in the PSP Greatest Hits line in the U.S.
and was released on February 5, 2008. The game was developed by Jaffe's newly formed studio Eat Sleep Play and was retitled Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition. The game received a graphical overhaul with new special effects, higher resolution textures, and 60fps gameplay.
It contains extra features and bonuses such as the live action end movies from Twisted Metal
,(which at this point, had never been officially released) a behind the scenes documentary, and a concept art book. There is also a code to download a Twisted Metal soundtrack. The game contained an answer to a question Twisted Metal fans have been asking for a long time. After fans deciphered a message in the Dark Past documentary as reading "Twisted Metal is coming on psthree", Jaffe confirmed it himself.
The PlayStation 2 port did not have online play.
s that players can access via teleporters, which range in location from the Eiffel Tower
to the Great Pyramids. These are small games where players must collect power ups while circumventing obstacles that require a variety of tactics, including jumping over chasms, and destroying helicopter
s using napalm
bombs. The catch is that the games are timed, forcing the player to think on their feet, as it were, while maintaining a balance of caution and risk. Players reaching the end of the mini-game prior to the timer's ending keep all their powerups. Several characters can only be unlocked by completing the minigames on certain levels.
Incognito Entertainment
Incognito Entertainment was an American video game development company founded in May 1999 and is the developer of titles such as Twisted Metal, Warhawk and Jet Moto. The team was formed by former employees of SingleTrac, it was based in Salt Lake City and was part of Santa Monica Studio...
and released by Sony
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
on March 24, 2005 for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
and February 5, 2008 for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. Head-On shares not only the distinction of being the seventh game released in the Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal is a series of vehicular combat video games published by Sony Computer Entertainment, and developed by various companies during its tenure. The series began on the PlayStation in 1995 and currently features seven games, with an eighth installment currently in production...
series, but also is the first game in the series to ship fully online-enabled.
Head-On is a direct sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metal 2 is the second and most successful game in the vehicular combat Twisted Metal series...
, ignoring the events of Twisted Metal III
Twisted Metal III
Twisted Metal III is a vehicular combat video game developed and published by 989 Studios for the PlayStation...
and Twisted Metal 4
Twisted Metal 4
Twisted Metal 4 is a vehicular combat video game developed by 989 Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation...
. Akin to other games in the series, Head-On revolves around the same theme of a man named Calypso holding a vehicular combat tournament called "Twisted Metal" with the promise of granting the winner whatever they ask for. In 2006, Twisted Metal: Head-On was one of the first games in the PSP Greatest Hits line in the U.S.
PlayStation 2 port
In 2007, it was announced by David Jaffe that Twisted Metal: Head-On was to be ported to PlayStation 2PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and was released on February 5, 2008. The game was developed by Jaffe's newly formed studio Eat Sleep Play and was retitled Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition. The game received a graphical overhaul with new special effects, higher resolution textures, and 60fps gameplay.
It contains extra features and bonuses such as the live action end movies from Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal is a series of vehicular combat video games published by Sony Computer Entertainment, and developed by various companies during its tenure. The series began on the PlayStation in 1995 and currently features seven games, with an eighth installment currently in production...
,(which at this point, had never been officially released) a behind the scenes documentary, and a concept art book. There is also a code to download a Twisted Metal soundtrack. The game contained an answer to a question Twisted Metal fans have been asking for a long time. After fans deciphered a message in the Dark Past documentary as reading "Twisted Metal is coming on psthree", Jaffe confirmed it himself.
The PlayStation 2 port did not have online play.
Twisted Metal: Head-On
The full game is ported over from the PSP to PS2 with all the same modes from the PSP version.- Story Mode
- Drivers choose their vehicle and progress through a series of arenas.
- 2-player split-screen
- Challenge Mode
- Drivers choose their vehicle, arena, AI controlled enemies, then go off to battle.
- Endurance Mode
- Drivers take on an endless onslaught of AI controlled opponents until the driver's death.
- Has an exclusive level, Transylvania Castle.
Sweet Tour
Players can run around as Needles Kane and explore a new level on foot and learn factoids about the Twisted Metal franchise straight from the developers. This is simply a bonus feature and not to be confused as a real game. Sweet Tour was going to be a new adventure mode to be included into Twisted Metal: Black 2 (aka Twisted Metal: Harbor City) before that game was cancelled. It contains two levels: Asylum and Impound Lot. The asylum is where Sweet Tooth has been captured and locked up in a cage. However, he escapes which leads him to explore the abandoned asylum to find an exit. The second level, the impound lot, is the place where the cars are parked and it has many traps.Minigames
Head-On also includes minigameMinigame
A minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...
s that players can access via teleporters, which range in location from the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
to the Great Pyramids. These are small games where players must collect power ups while circumventing obstacles that require a variety of tactics, including jumping over chasms, and destroying helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s using napalm
Napalm
Napalm is a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with gasoline or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device, primarily as an anti-personnel weapon...
bombs. The catch is that the games are timed, forcing the player to think on their feet, as it were, while maintaining a balance of caution and risk. Players reaching the end of the mini-game prior to the timer's ending keep all their powerups. Several characters can only be unlocked by completing the minigames on certain levels.
External links
- Twisted Metal: Head On Extra Twisted Edition - Official US Website
- Twisted Metal: Head-On - Official Site UK
- Twisted Metal: Head-On at Playstation.com
- Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition at GameRankings