by Jay "THE FLEA" Wade
After Twisted Metal 3 and 4, the TM series was wrecked beyond recognition.
Then Sony released Twisted Metal Black and saved a dying series. But instead of transporting a weaker graphic version of TM:B to PS1, they make a “kiddie” version called Twisted Metal Small Brawl.
All your favorite TM characters are children and are tormented by a Bully nick-named Calypso.
He bullies kids to play a radio controlled car combat game, and promises what ever they wish if they win. (Of course they may not get exactly what they wanted)
The characters includes mini versions of; Sweet Tooth, Crimson Fury, Mr. Grimm, Shadow, Thumper, Outlaw, Warthog, Twister, Mr. Slam, Spectre, Hammerhead, Axel and Darkside.
There are a few others, but they are new secret boss characters.
The weapons are also kiddie versions of the classics. Most are the same but are called fireworks and their special weapons are childish versions of what they had in the original.
The levels are small compared to TM1, 2, and Black. There is no large hide and hunt levels. Just small arena levels like; Playground, a Kitchen, a Treehouse, a minigolf course, a meat locker, a football field, a movie theater and a funhouse.
They have some environment dangers, some are cool others are silly. This game feels like its trying to be the next Battle-Bots.
The graphics are weak, the levels look like they are in need of a lot of touch-ups and the cars look bland and thoughtless of any detail.
The control is way to loose, you turn and you be lucky if you can say on any platform.
And you’ll find your self stuck between forward and reverse at times.
Lucky this game is a pushover and has little challenge, you’ll more likely die from falling off the treehouse then to get blasted to pieces.
The movies are sad, they are bad children caricatures of classic TM characters.
Their wishes are silly and over the top goofy.
I Guess Calypso stole the devils powers as a young boy, maybe he beat up Minion while he was in kindergarten.
TM:SB is playable, but so was TM 3 and 4. If you hated TM 3 and 4, then you might want to avoid TM:SB like a bad accident on the side of the road.
If you liked TM 3 and 4's gameplay, then you have little taste in a good car combat game and maybe you’ll get a little enjoyment out of TM:SB.