 Yes you read that right, Twisted Metal 2 for PC! I was surprised when I found out recently that one of my favorite PlayStation franchises made it's way to the Windows platform 11 years ago. As far as PC games go and as far as ports of hugely popular titles, this one is apparently quite uncommon to find these days. According to what I've read, Sony was afraid that their then popular but not dominating PlayStation platform, would potentially lose sales if the game was offered on more than one system. So shortly after release, they yanked the title and ceased printing. Did it work? Well TM2 sold over 2 million copies worldwide on the PS1, who's to say if PC sales would have affected it in the long run?
So to get right down to it, this would be considered an enhanced port. While the gameplay, design, graphics and sound are very similar to the console version, it does have the advantage of, in some cases, improved textures and vastly improved anti-aliasing. The greatly improved smoke and fire effects are the most obvious things that stand out. So much so in fact that they almost look too good as far as matching the rest of the game. Being able to significantly raise the resolution on a PC monitor definitely has it's advantages over the PlayStation, even the PS2's smoothing filter doesn't match what the PC version does standard. Soundwise, the game is virtually identical to it's console counterpart in every way, even right down to the menu effects and music.
Having spent many hours on the PS1 version, I can safely say I'm qualified to compare it's control to the PC version for you enthusiasts out there. The button mapping for the keyboard or a game controller has everything you'd want for a title in it's day but while playing, I find the game feels a bit more floaty controlling the vehicles, even the more nimble ones like Mr. Grimm.
As for gameplay, if you haven't at least played a Twisted Metal game once in the last 13 years, where have you been hiding? Seriously though, it's basically the same as the PlayStation version. Vehicular combat with exotic weapons and unique vehicles set in arenas and vastly different locales around the world. Addictive, colourful and fast!
Now here's where the PS1 and the PC versions part ways: multiplayer. Where the PlayStation had 1 or 2 player gameplay, the PC version has 1-8. Unfortunately, due to the game's age and it's availability, I wasn't able to easily jump into a player match as of the time of this writing. I will say however that there are small groups of hardcore fans out there keeping the game alive, and using the Kaillera client for network play. You can also run it on modern machines without too much hassle. I personally have tested it on Windows XP SP2 using a user-made patch that makes small improvements and changes and also using by using Win95 compatibility mode unpatched (though it was a bit less stable than with the easily downloaded patch).
So there you have it, a popular, memorable game that helped define one of the highest selling game systems of all time, that had a short stint on another non-Sony system. I've giving it an 8.5/10 because it's a fun title even on PC and because as a collector, I find it to be a great conversation piece and treasured item.
Twisted Metal 2 PC - RF Generation game page.
 September 30, 1997 (11 years ago): Fallout is released.
September 30, 1998 (10 years ago): Fallout 2 is released.
Consoles: Windows PC
If you have not played either of these RPG titles, you should at least try. Set in a violent post-apocalyptic future, Fallout games stood out with their dark humor, art-deco designs (many items and technology the player encounters are from the 1950's), and themes meant for more "grown-up" audiences (plenty of 'casual' language and blood). The player explored the world in real-time, while combat was turn-based and used "action points" (like in the awesome X-COM: UFO Defense). Many balanced skills made it actually possible for the player to rely more on stealth, or diplomacy, instead of force. Furthermore, the quests often had multiple outcomes, granting varying experience and affecting the player's karma.
As for myself, I was glad to see an RPG that did not have any elves or magic, but instead lots and lots of guns, which I liked. The art direction was another thing I liked, as well as many pop-culture references (like a card game called "Tragic: The Garnering", or the Nuka-Cola drink).
As I am sure many of you know, after shutting down Project Van Buren, a Fallout sequel in development, Bethesda purchased the rights to the franchise from Black Isle and is about to release a sequel of their own, Fallout 3, on October 28th of this year. I know that I will buy it, play it, and hate it, but continue playing it. I could go on a rant about Bethesda and their "experience" in game-making, but there are other sites on the Internets for that.
To reminisce, here is the opening video from Fallout, along with the awesome music ("Maybe" by The Ink Spots) and narrated by Ron Perlman:
Continue reading Today in VG History: Fallout 1 & 2
 PC gamers rejoice! This May, Electronic Arts will be publishing Mass Effect for the PC. The kick-ass award winning "western" RPG that Fox News loves so much will be available in a mere 3 months from now.
As with BioWare's usual standard, this won't be a straight up port. It has several enhancements and optimizations for the PC platform, among them:
- Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
- High resolution visuals - Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
- Fully customizable controls - PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
- Run & Gun Control - Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
- New decryption mini-game.
- New inventory screen GUI and functionality - The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.
Of course with it being such a great looking game with further enhanced graphics, it'll be a pig to run on a decent system. So don't expect to get your game on or see all of the great hardcore pr0n on your 486 DX or Pentium 90.
Original article:
http://kotaku.com/355399/mass-effect-coming-to-pc
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