While the Twisted Metal line of vehicular combat games has had uneven episodes, the developers at Incog have thankfully brought the series back in black, and it has never been better. Twisted Metal: Black pushes the envelope in terms of graphics, gameplay, and content. It's a tremendous game, but parents should keep in mind that it carries a Mature rating from ESRB and its content may be unsuitable for younger players. Gamers old enough to handle it will be treated to a must-have game for the PlayStation2.

Twisted Metal: Black is one of the best-looking games on the market. The character design, animations, particle effects, and lighting effects are all topnotch, yet the game still runs at a speedy frame rate--even in multiplayer modes. The game isn't all about looks though, as gameplay is very deep and contains several modes. You'll want to play single-player story mode several times just to see how the game ends for its numerous compelling characters. Each character has a story line that's simple yet captivating. More importantly, each of the characters' vehicles has meaningful differences, so players are bound to find a rig that fits their playing styles.

With its slick gameplay, interesting characters, wide variety of modes, and breathtaking graphics, Twisted Metal: Black is the best vehicular combat game yet, and, so far, the best PlayStation2 game of the year. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Incredible graphics
• Deep gameplay
• Strong replay value

• Controls can be tricky at first
• Boss fights can be frustrating