Editing Twisted Metal 2

{{Short description|1996 vehicular combat video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Twisted Metal 2
| image = Twisted Metal 2.jpg
| caption = North American PlayStation cover art
| developer = [[Sony Interactive Studios America]]<br>[[SingleTrac]]
| publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
| writer = [[David Jaffe]]
| composer = Chuck E. Myers<br>Lance Lenhart<br>Tom Hopkins
| series = ''[[Twisted Metal]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Windows]]
| released = '''PlayStation'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|November 8, 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony PlayStation: Twisted Metal 2 Press Release |url=http://www.sepc.sony.com/SCEA/hot/press/tm2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961223003056fw_/http://www.sepc.sony.com/SCEA/hot/press/tm2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1996-12-23 |access-date=2023-05-04 }}</ref>|EU|February 1997}}{{vgrelease|JP|August 28, 1997<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine | author=''Famitsū'' staff | date=September 5, 1997 | magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famitsū]] | publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | number=455 | language=ja | title=新作ゲームクロスレビュー |
trans-title=New Game Cross Review | url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=11874&redirect=no| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718050616/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=11874&redirect=no | archive-date=2019-07-18 }}</ref>}}'''Microsoft Windows'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|November 13, 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-11-10.html|title=Now Shipping|author=Staff|date=November 13, 1997|website=[[PC Gamer]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070412/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-11-10.html|archive-date=February 18, 1998|url-status=dead|access-date=December 6, 2019}}<br>"Sony Interactive has released Jet Moto and Twisted Metal 2 for the PC. Both are ports of popular PlayStation games."</ref><ref>{{cite press release | author=Sony staff | date=November 13, 1997 | title=Sony Interactive Studios America Unleashes ''Jet Moto'' And ''Twisted Metal 2'' For The PC. | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sony+Interactive+Studios+America+Unleashes+Jet+Moto+And+Twisted+Metal...-a020028569 | work=[[TheFreeDictionary.com#TheFreeLibrary.com|TheFreeLibrary.com]] | publisher=Farlex, Inc. | accessdate=September 10, 2012 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075206/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sony+Interactive+Studios+America+Unleashes+Jet+Moto+And+Twisted+Metal...-a020028569 | url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Vehicular combat game|Vehicular combat]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Twisted Metal 2'''''{{efn|Known in Europe as ''''' Twisted Metal World Tour''''' and in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Twisted Metal EX'''''|ツイステッド・メタル EX|''Tsuisuteddo Metaru EX''||lead=yes}}}} is a [[Vehicular combat game|vehicular combat]] [[video game]] developed by [[SingleTrac]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. The second game in the ''[[Twisted Metal]]'' series, it was originally released in 1996 for [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[Windows]].

The Microsoft Windows version features slightly cut-down [[graphics]] compared to the PlayStation version but doesn't require a [[3D accelerator]] video card. It also features [[multiplayer]] mode over a [[modem]] line or Internet.

Two years after its release, ''Twisted Metal 2'' was re-released as a PlayStation [[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]] game, however under the developer [[989 Studios]] instead of [[SingleTrac]]. It was also released for download on the [[PlayStation Network]] in Japan on July 26, 2007<ref>{{cite web| author=Spencer | date=July 26, 2007 | title=''Wild ARMs'' on Japan's Playstation Store | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2007/07/26/wild-arms-on-japan%E2%80%99s-playstation-store/ | publisher=Siliconera | accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref> and North America on November 1, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | author=McWhertor, Michael | date=November 1, 2007 | title=PlayStation Store Update: ''Twisted Metal 2'', Y'All | url=http://kotaku.com/317924/playstation-store-update-twisted-metal-2-yall | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128042824/http://kotaku.com/317924/playstation-store-update-twisted-metal-2-yall | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 28, 2013 | work=[[Kotaku]] | publisher=[[Gawker Media]] | accessdate=September 10, 2012 }}</ref> On July 18, 2023, it was then made available for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation 5]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/twisted-metal-games-ps5-ps4-release/ | title=Classic Twisted Metal Games Return on PS5 and PS4 Before TV Series Release | date=July 12, 2023 }}</ref>

==Gameplay==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2019}}
[[File:PS1 Twisted Metal 2 (Twisted Metal - World Tour; Twisted Metal EX).jpg|thumb|left|Roadkill in [[Paris]] colliding with Mr. Slam and throwing its special weapon]]
In concept, ''Twisted Metal 2'' is a [[demolition derby]] which permits the usage of [[Ballistics|ballistic]] projectiles. Players choose a vehicle and an arena—or a series of arenas in the story mode—to engage in battle with opposing drivers. A variety of weapons are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The objective of the game is to be the last remaining player. Two player duel mode makes a return from the first ''Twisted Metal'', and a co-operative mode allows players to fight through tournament mode with a teammate. There is no ending if the game is completed in co-operative mode.

==Plot==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2019}}
In 2006, [[Los Angeles]] is in ruins and its citizens left to struggle for survival after the conclusion of [[Twisted Metal (1995 video game)|Twisted Metal]], a brutal contest held by [[Twisted Metal#Calypso|Calypso]], exactly one year earlier on Christmas Eve. Aboard his airship (running the ticker "CALYPSO RULER OF THE EARTH") in the skies over the destroyed City of Angels, Calypso wonders where the next Twisted Metal will take place; fourteen of the world's best drivers are already assembled to compete for whatever prize they desire. Ultimately, Calypso decides that the world itself shall serve as a battleground. In addition to the remains of Los Angeles, drivers will also battle in [[Moscow]], [[Paris]], [[Amazon rainforest|Amazonia]], [[New York City]], [[Antarctica]], [[Netherlands|Holland]], and [[Hong Kong]].

After defeating all the opponents in Amazonia, the player must face Minion before proceeding to New York City.  The Dark Tooth boss fight takes place after the player defeats all the opponents in Hong Kong; once Dark Tooth (and his flaming head) is defeated, the driver meets with Calypso in New York to receive their prize.

==Development==
SingleTrac began brainstorming ideas for a ''Twisted Metal'' sequel in late 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Twisted Fan |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=79|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=February 1996|page=137}}</ref> Due to the success of the original, ''Twisted Metal 2'' was allotted 16 months for development, much longer than the previous game.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Twisted Metal 2|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=86 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=September 1996|page=80}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = (PS) 86.44%<ref name=GRPS/><br />(PC) 49.50%<ref name=GRPC/>
| Allgame = (PS) {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2343&tab=review |title=Twisted Metal 2 (PS) - Review |last=House |first=Michael L. |publisher=[[Allgame]] |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114205658/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2343&tab=review |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />(PC) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=6188&tab=review |title=Twisted Metal 2 (PC) - Review |last=House |first=Michael L. |publisher=Allgame |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114184357/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=6188&tab=review |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Edge = (PS) 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Testscreen: Twisted Metal 2 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=41 |date=February 1997 |page=89}}</ref>
| EGM = (PS) 8.25/10<ref name=EGM90>{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Twisted Metal 2|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=90|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=January 1997|page=72}}</ref>
| Fam = (PS) 26/40<ref name="famitsu"/>
| GI = (PS) 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=dec96&doc=tmetal |title=Twisted Metal 2 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=44 |date=December 1996 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990910153819/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=dec96&doc=tmetal |archive-date=September 10, 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = (PS) B+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/twistedtwo.htm |title=Twisted Metal 2: World Tour Review (PS) |last=Fletcher |first=Irwin |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |date=November 1996 |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970606110617/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/twistedtwo.htm |archive-date=June 6, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />(PC) B<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/twisted-metal-2 |title=Twisted Metal 2 Review (PC) |last=Anderson |first=Tom |publisher=Game Revolution |date=January 1998 |accessdate=March 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980613214919/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/twisted.htm |archive-date=June 13, 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = (PS) 8.8/10<ref name=GSPS>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/twisted-metal-2-review/1900-2550030/ |title=Twisted Metal 2 Review (PS) |last=Kitts |first=Jeff |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |date=December 9, 1996}}</ref><br />(PC) 6.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/twisted-metal-2-review/1900-2535384/ |title=Twisted Metal 2 Review (PC) |last=Mooney |first=Shane |website=GameSpot |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |date=January 12, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314014627/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/driving/twistedmetal2/review.html |archive-date=March 14, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = (PS) 7.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/08/twisted-metal-2 |title=Twisted Metal 2 (PS) |author=IGN Staff |website=[[IGN]] |date=January 7, 1997 |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>
| Play = (PS) 88%<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Niholson|first=Graeme|url=https://archive.org/details/play-016/page/n39/mode/2up|title=Review: Twisted Metal 2|magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)|Play UK]]|issue=16|date=February 1997|pages=40–42}}</ref>
| NGen = (PS) {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=NGen30>{{cite magazine |title=Twisted Metal 2 |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=30 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=June 1997|page=120}}</ref>
| PCGUS = (PC) 80%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Twisted Metal 2 |last=Williamson |first=Colin |date=March 1998 |page=154 |volume=5 |number=3 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
}}
''Twisted Metal 2'' was both a financial and critical success. The PlayStation version sold 1.74 million copies in the United States alone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |accessdate=September 11, 2012 |date=December 27, 2007 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009200207/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> The PlayStation version has an aggregate score of 86.44% on [[GameRankings]], based on eight reviews.<ref name=GRPS>{{cite web | title=Twisted Metal 2 for PlayStation  | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/199136-twisted-metal-2/index.html | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameRankings]] | accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref> The PC version averages 49.50% on the same website, based on two reviews.<ref name=GRPC>{{cite web | title=Twisted Metal 2 for PC | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199135-twisted-metal-2/index.html | publisher=CBS Interactive | work=GameRankings | accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref>

Critics generally regarded the game as an improvement over the original ''Twisted Metal'' due to its larger, more intricate levels<ref name=EGM90/><ref name=NGen30/> and better cast of characters.<ref name=GSPS/><ref name=GP100/> However, they were divided about the graphics. The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' said that the original ''Twisted Metal'' had mediocre graphics and the sequel made no improvement.<ref name=EGM90/> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Jeff Kitts agreed that there was no improvement but felt the graphics still held up well.<ref name=GSPS/> ''[[GamePro]]'' said the graphics are better than the first game but still mediocre in absolute terms, citing bland and featureless buildings, pixelation, and breakup when close to walls,<ref name=GP100>{{cite magazine|author=Major Mike |title=PlayStation ProReview: Twisted Metal 2|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1997|page=94}}</ref> while ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' claimed, "''TM2'' shows significant improvement with sharper textures, a significant reduction in clipping, and even an improved [[frame rate]]."<ref name=NGen30/> Both ''GameSpot'' and ''Next Generation'' attested that the essential nature of the gameplay was unchanged from the original, and that no change was needed.<ref name=GSPS/><ref name=NGen30/> ''GamePro'' opined that "intense gameplay is what saves, and makes, the game - especially in the two-player head-to-head mode."<ref name=GP100/> Crispin Boyer wrote in ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' that "I wasn't all that crazy about the first ''Twisted Metal'', but this sequel is worlds better, even though it looks like the same old thing at first glance.<ref name=EGM90/>

''Twisted Metal 2'' was a runner-up for ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s Action Game of the Year (behind ''[[Die Hard Trilogy]]'').<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Best of '96|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=92|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=March 1997|page=88}}</ref> The following year ''EGM'' ranked the PlayStation version number 64 on their "100 Best Games of All Time", commenting that "The sheer amount of different vehicles, levels and weapons available at your disposal makes for awesome multiplayer matches."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=120}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> In 2003, ''Twisted Metal 2'' was inducted into [[GameSpot]]'s list of the greatest games of all time.<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web|last=|first=|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-11.html|title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''Twisted Metal 2''|website=[[GameSpot]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017062938/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-11.html | archivedate=October 17, 2007}}</ref>

Frosty Treats, a major [[ice cream truck]] company, filed a lawsuit against Sony contending that ''Twisted Metal 2'' infringed on the company's trademarks through the use of the phrase "Frosty Treats", as well as similarities between the video game clown [[Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal)|Sweet Tooth]] and the company's own safety clown. In ''[[Frosty Treats, Inc. v. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.]]'', the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled against the trademark claims because they were either too generic or were unlikely to cause confusion among consumers.<ref>{{cite web|author=Arnold, Morris Sheppard|author-link=Morris S. Arnold|title=FROSTY TREATS INC v. SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-8th-circuit/1237198.html|work=[[FindLaw]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|date=25 July 2005|accessdate=30 August 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|List of Sony Greatest Hits games]]
* [[List of best-selling video games]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|/twisted-metal-2}}

{{Twisted Metal series}}
[[Category:1996 video games]]
[[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Twisted Metal]]
[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2006]]
[[Category:Video games set in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Video games set in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Video games set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Video games set in Moscow]]
[[Category:Video games set in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Video games set in New York City]]
[[Category:Video games set in Paris]]
[[Category:Video games set in South America]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:SingleTrac games]]