Twisted Metal was once a series synonymous with the PlayStation. This car combat series created by developer SingleTrac was one of the biggest hits for the console, and it established itself as the premiere destruction derby-style car combat game. However, the series has not received a major release since 2012's soft-reboot simply titled Twisted Metal for PlayStation 3. The series, once a PlayStation titan, has lost its luster, and car combat-based games have largely fallen out of style.
However, there is a way to bring back Twisted Metal -- one which would present car combat in a new way and allow the series to evolve to meet the gamers of today. A new Twisted Metal that turned the series from a purely arena-based car combat game into a roguelike would make sense inside the constraints of the game while also injecting classic Twisted Metal characters and lore into the ultra-popular roguelike genre.
At its best, Twisted Metal has been focused on ridiculous characters, fun destructible environments and an absolutely over-the-top story full of all manner of gritty and fantastical elements. All of these facets could provide an excellent setup for a fresh and exciting take on the roguelike genre.
Twisted Metal doesn't require a complicated setup. Its world is a dystopian nightmare where the streets are filled with people cowering in fear at the prospects of the next Twisted Metal Tournament. The mysterious, omnipotent figure Calypso offers a simple but enticing prize for competitors: win the tournament and he will grant them whatever they desire. The best games in the series, Twisted Metal, Twisted Metal 2 and Twisted Metal Black all follow this simple but intriguing premise.
Handfuls of deranged, psychopathic and vengeance-fueled combatants create their own machines of destruction and enter Calypso's tournament to win his prize. In order to win, the characters have to battle through numerous arena-style destructible levels and face powerful bosses to reach Calypso and demand his reward. A roguelike Twisted Metal could feature a series of levels with periodic boss fights that players must progress through without dying to ultimately earn a unique ending for each character. This setup could even feature multiple bosses for each level that are randomly chosen each run, much like the excellent roguelike shooter Enter the Gungeon.
A Twisted Metal roguelike could stand out by offering players multiple characters to select and take through the game for unique endings and unlockables like new paint jobs and cosmetic customizations for the game's murderous machines. Twisted Metal is filled with memorable characters who have unique vehicles and special moves. Deranged ice cream truck driving serial killer Sweet Tooth, self-righteous police officer Outlaw and narcissistic small-time movie actor Spectre are just a few of the characters who could be selectable in the pursuit of Twisted Metal Tournament victory. By assembling a roster of unique characters, a Twisted Metal roguelike could encourage replayability and experimentation -- a must for any good roguelike.
Even in the level design, a Twisted Metal roguelike could provide an original experience that is also true to what came before. Some of the best roguelikes, like the recently released Returnal and modern classic Spelunky, are brimming with secret areas and hidden mechanics. The Twisted Metal series was designed around this concept, with past games featuring all manner of destructible level geometry and secret areas that could only be accessed by, for example, blowing up the Eiffel Tower with a well placed remote charge. A roguelike Twisted Metal that leaned into this by creating a handful of massive arena-style levels full of intricate secrets and powerful hidden weaponry has so much potential.
Ultimately, the best way to bring back old video game franchises is to inject them something new. Good revivals celebrate a series' past while also looking to the present and future, providing new experiences. By resurrecting the forgotten car combat genre and infusing it with roguelike mechanics, a new Twisted Metal deliver both a great vehicle shooter and a great roguelike.