G4 recently sat down with legendary video game designer David Jaffe, and the creator of Twisted Metal gave us the inside word on a bunch of different aspects of the new Twisted Metal experience. He detailed the game's single-player and multiplayer as well as its maps and more on X-Play, and gave us an exclusive look at the Twisted Metal's unlock system.

Judging from our Twisted Metal previews, this is a game you're going to be playing online a lot. So, we thought we'd ask Jaffe a bit about TW's unlock system.

"The unlock system is not just about balance. Choices are the most important thing in the game," Jaffe said. "Every time you level up... you're given, basically, a token, and depending on the level you're at, you almost 'go shopping.'"

Players can take their earned points and do more than unlock new vehicles though. You'll also be able to unlock new skins and combat upgrades to change the way you murder other players.

"It changes the way you play, but doesn't change it where you're a super-player, "Jaffe said. "You're still in a balanced experience. I'm really excited about that. As much as I enjoy online gaming, that's the one thing I hate. I cannot stand gaming online and getting wiped out by someone who happens to have been playing for a few weeks longer than me."

Twisted Metal comes out for the PS3 on February 14 -- hey, that's Valentine's day!