"Twisted Metal: Black" is just that - black. It's what you'd see if you were on a bad trip of LSD while locked up in an insane asylum. The "Twisted Metal" series was known for being the centerpiece of the vehicular combat genre of video-gaming, where people in outfitted vehicles engage each other in deadly tournaments. The most successful and acclaimed entry in the "Twisted Metal" franchise, the Playstation 2's "Twisted Metal: Black," adds some much-needed darker elements to what was in 2001, a waning series. It goes without saying that this is the "Blackest," darkest, most violent and disturbing entry yet. The developers went to great pains to create a "Twisted Metal" experience that captured the violent fury and insanity that was only hinted at in its predecessors. The game-play is greatly polished from previous games in the series, and the controls are easy to use. The biggest improvements, I feel, are the characters and the fully interactive and beautifully rendered environments. The characters this time out are all mental patients, participating in the Twisted Metal tournament in an effort to have any wish of theirs granted. As you can see, the story isn't much, but the deeply dark and twisted characters featured here make up for it. Sure, some cheesy voice actor gives the characters some life, but their stories range from insane to utterly horrific (i.e., "Twisted Metal" mascot, Sweet Tooth). If you wanted to know what went on in an insane asylum, look no further than "Twisted Metal: Black."
10/10
10/10