Twisted Metal 4 is a 1999 vehicular combat game developed and published by 989 Studios and released exclusively in North America for the PlayStation. It is the fourth game in the Twisted Metal series and the second and last developed by 989 Studios.

The Story Behind Twisted Metal 4

Other planned additions included larger interactive arenas, new weapons and vehicles, stages made specifically for deathmatch, easier combination attacks and a larger role for Sweet Tooth. Pre-release plans for vehicle customization included choices of wheels, body style, engine, weapons, call sign and colors. A fifth 989 Studios entry was approved after Twisted Metal 4 shipped, but was canceled in December 1999 when the company shifted away from PlayStation games and sequels ahead of the PlayStation 2.

The series returned in 2001 with Twisted Metal: Black, but it broke from the earlier games' continuity and instead introduced reworked characters, new backgrounds, and new storylines. By September 1999, the vehicle physics had been revised to allow more airborne stunts, and cars showed visible damage when struck. The team did not receive the source code used for the first two games, which remained under SingleTrac's ownership.

How Twisted Metal 4 Plays

Players can also perform "combo attacks" by entering button sequences. The Create-a-Car option allows players to customize a vehicle by selecting its body size and style, paint scheme, special weapon, and battle cry. All vehicles carry standard machine guns, while weapon pickups include missiles, napalm that spreads fire on contact, remotely detonated bombs, proximity mines, and multi-warhead "MIRVs".

The latter option allows the player to pool lives. Players can select from a starting roster of 13 vehicles with varying attributes, while additional vehicles, including the bosses, can be unlocked using passwords. Some arenas contain interactive mechanisms and hazards, including a magnet that lifts and drops vehicles and a moving train.

Why Players Still Load It Up

PlayStation Magazine welcomed its improvements over Twisted Metal III, particularly in its physics, level design and pacing. Reviewers for Electronic Gaming Monthly and GameFan were less impressed, criticizing the series for repeating a formula they felt had grown stale. Reviewers for Game Informer, GameSpot and Official U.S.

The larger arenas were praised for their varied layouts and interactive features, but GameRevolution found some later stages difficult to navigate. The controls and physics received differing responses. In a retrospective that year, Official U.S.

Twisted Metal 4 — Frequently Asked Questions