Post by The Chupster on Feb 11, 2008 16:29:37 GMT -5
Dunno how many Burnout freaks are up in here, but I've been playing the game since Burnout 2 on the XBox. That game was my first taste of a racing game that I really, really enjoyed playing, because up until then, Demolition Racer on the Dreamcast had been the only racer I'd ever really fallen for.
I've owned every Burnout game since 2. They're always fun, fast-paced and crazy, though they never really strayed too far away from their base formula- crash into people while racing to win, and crash into people while crashing for points. I mean, fuck, what better formula is there? And is it even possible to mess that formula up?
Well, the answer is no. And yes.
First off, this is NOT your typical Burnout game. Oh, it has the same give-and-go action, but it's not a party game anymore; gone are the split-screen multiplayer and crash mode. This game is built around single player or online multiplayer, and nothing in-between.
That out of the way, imagine a nice, big GTA-style city- one gorgeously envisioned, that encompasses not only a huge, sprawling urban center, but the docks, the countryside- more or less, every type of environment that Burnout has had before.
That's where you play. In this iteration of the franchise, you start off with the entire play area open and you can roam at will, driving around, searching for "collectible" things to crash through or superjumps to make, or you can pull up to any road intersection and partake of various modes of racing.
And unlike other racers, in this one, you can go anywhere you want. Sure, you'll have to keep one eye on the map until you get your bearings, but all that's laid out is where you start, and where you're going. Get there by any means necessary- FIRST.
Along the way you'll have typical races, odd man out matches where you have to get to the end before all of your opponents crash you to death, road rages where you have to destroy as many opponents as you can in a time limit, stunt races where you have to make so many stunt points during a given time limit, and timed laps where you have to beat the time limit to win with a certain car.
Add to that that every stretch of road in the game has its own time trial that you can tackle with any car- simply drive through the beginning of the road and take off, and you're on your way. Or with a press of two buttons, go into a controlled crash that has you bouncing into as much traffic as you can, gaining the power to bounce more as you cause more destruction, to outdo the current recordholder (online or off) for that stretch of road. (Not that you have to stay on said stretch of road.)
Winning races gains you points to upgrade your driver's license. Each upgrade nets you a new car. Winning certain races unlocks new cars as well, but only insomuch as they begin driving the streets of your city randomly, and you have to take them down to gain the car for yourself.
And then there's online, where with the flick of a button, you can invite in friends and others to race in your city with you or cooperate to accomplish special multiplayer objectives. Up to 7 other people can roam the streets of your city at the same time. You can even create new racing challenges.
Bottom line, if you've liked Burnout before but you're set in your ways, stick to the last few releases in the series- this game is not for you. If you just like the white-knuckle action and can adapt to the new play style, you'll do fine- and there are some fantastic moments to be had, including some jaw-dropping drops and massive jumps. If you've tried Burnout before and didn't like it, but felt like it just needed a little something different- now's the time to try it again.
As a Burnout fan of long standing, I have to say, this game is a complete joy. There are some rough spots, but nothing that can't be avoided by learning the lay of the land and taking the time to roam around some. The racing is fantastic, the crashes are scrotum-tightening, and the game itself as a whole is the best arcade racer I've ever played. If you have a 360, snag the demo online and give it a try!
I've owned every Burnout game since 2. They're always fun, fast-paced and crazy, though they never really strayed too far away from their base formula- crash into people while racing to win, and crash into people while crashing for points. I mean, fuck, what better formula is there? And is it even possible to mess that formula up?
Well, the answer is no. And yes.
First off, this is NOT your typical Burnout game. Oh, it has the same give-and-go action, but it's not a party game anymore; gone are the split-screen multiplayer and crash mode. This game is built around single player or online multiplayer, and nothing in-between.
That out of the way, imagine a nice, big GTA-style city- one gorgeously envisioned, that encompasses not only a huge, sprawling urban center, but the docks, the countryside- more or less, every type of environment that Burnout has had before.
That's where you play. In this iteration of the franchise, you start off with the entire play area open and you can roam at will, driving around, searching for "collectible" things to crash through or superjumps to make, or you can pull up to any road intersection and partake of various modes of racing.
And unlike other racers, in this one, you can go anywhere you want. Sure, you'll have to keep one eye on the map until you get your bearings, but all that's laid out is where you start, and where you're going. Get there by any means necessary- FIRST.
Along the way you'll have typical races, odd man out matches where you have to get to the end before all of your opponents crash you to death, road rages where you have to destroy as many opponents as you can in a time limit, stunt races where you have to make so many stunt points during a given time limit, and timed laps where you have to beat the time limit to win with a certain car.
Add to that that every stretch of road in the game has its own time trial that you can tackle with any car- simply drive through the beginning of the road and take off, and you're on your way. Or with a press of two buttons, go into a controlled crash that has you bouncing into as much traffic as you can, gaining the power to bounce more as you cause more destruction, to outdo the current recordholder (online or off) for that stretch of road. (Not that you have to stay on said stretch of road.)
Winning races gains you points to upgrade your driver's license. Each upgrade nets you a new car. Winning certain races unlocks new cars as well, but only insomuch as they begin driving the streets of your city randomly, and you have to take them down to gain the car for yourself.
And then there's online, where with the flick of a button, you can invite in friends and others to race in your city with you or cooperate to accomplish special multiplayer objectives. Up to 7 other people can roam the streets of your city at the same time. You can even create new racing challenges.
Bottom line, if you've liked Burnout before but you're set in your ways, stick to the last few releases in the series- this game is not for you. If you just like the white-knuckle action and can adapt to the new play style, you'll do fine- and there are some fantastic moments to be had, including some jaw-dropping drops and massive jumps. If you've tried Burnout before and didn't like it, but felt like it just needed a little something different- now's the time to try it again.
As a Burnout fan of long standing, I have to say, this game is a complete joy. There are some rough spots, but nothing that can't be avoided by learning the lay of the land and taking the time to roam around some. The racing is fantastic, the crashes are scrotum-tightening, and the game itself as a whole is the best arcade racer I've ever played. If you have a 360, snag the demo online and give it a try!
