Twisted Metal: Hello, Mr. Grimm

Twisted Metal includes an online multiplayer mode designed to facilitate an e-sport experience in which skilled players can compete in a balanced arena. Even though matches burst at the seams with flaming metal hulls and outlandish weapons, the development team has worked to ensure that this Twisted Metal packs the best multiplayer the series has ever had. But you still have plenty of options if you want to wreck shop solo and face off against massive boss characters.

Unlike past Twisted Metal games, the latest Twisted Metal divides its story between just a small selection of characters, including Sweet Tooth, Dollface, and Mr. Grimm. During Sweet Tooth's campaign, everyone's favorite demonic clown runs into the Brothers Grimm -- the first major boss. An intimidating encounter, considering the "boss" is actually two house-stomping monster trucks equipped with a small nation's worth of weapons.

This battle will heighten blood pressures within moments. Both trucks unleash devastating ordnance onto the stage causing buildings to erupt and cars to swerve in response. The trucks also release a shockwave attack that requires a well-timed jump to avoid.

Just like the many video game bosses of the past, defeating one of the trucks will send the other into a fervor, making it a much more difficult opponent to finish off. Whittle it down to low enough health and the truck deploys additional armor that protect it from your weapons. Guess what that means? You need to drive Sweet Tooth's ride directly under the truck and give your gunner enough time to leap onto the undercarriage and plant a bomb to blow off the armor. Precarious, and equally fun.

If the battle against the Brothers Grimm is any indication of the quality of the Twisted Metal boss fights, color me intrigued. And for those of you eager for a real car combat challenge, crank up the difficulty on this one and punish yourself with a truly maniacal fight.

Twisted Metal launches on February 14th, 2012.

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This article is based on a gameplay demonstration conducted by Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe. The session was supervised by Sony representatives. The game build used was feature incomplete.

Ryan Clements writes for IGN's PlayStation Team. You can follow him on myIGN and Twitter.

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