Absolutely awesome racing game! (Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360))

Member Name: shamis4

Product:	Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360)
Date:	12/07/08 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great free roam racing game

Disadvantages: Takes a while to adjust to such a large city

Burnout Paradise is the most recent racing (and crashing) game in quite a long series of great, well structured arcade racing games.
However this one certainly breaks away from the norm and enters into this new 'open-world gameplay', and in my opinion they have certainly succeeded and have created a massive 30km wide city perfectly suited to Burnout's nature - to race and crash!

At first the city can be very overwhelming particularly if you were used to the structure of the previous titles where you merely selected your mode and car and then finished the race. But once you get used to the city and this new style of game you will truly understand how it is an awesome game and one of the best racing games i have ever experienced.
It has a variety of different races and events you can participate in by just driving up to a set of traffic lights and starting the event. The events range from normal races and one on ones to road rage - where you must take down a certain number of other racers, or marked man - where you must make it to a designated destination without being taken down by the cars pursuing you. There is also stunt run where you must complete jumps and drifts and other skill aspects to gain a certain number of points; or burning run where you must complete a race in a very quick time by using your speed boost. There are over 100 different events to choose from.
As you progress and win more races you also get better licences and aim to get the Burnout Licence and rove you are the best driver. The better your licence the better cars you can unlock and more challenges can be participated in.

If you don't fancy doing any of these races then you can always roam around Paradise City and try and destroy some of those billboards (120) or crash gates (400), or even complete some of the famous stunt jumps (50). If that doesn't take your fancy you can try and set some time records on any of the 64 different roads or a showdown record. Showdown is where you crash your car and have to do as much damage as possible - remember to hit those buses for multipliers.

We now get onto the online where this game just gets even better! You can play online with up to 8 players from across the world and again there is so much you can do. You can try and complete some challenges and there are hundreds of challenges to do from taking down another player to completing a double barrel spin from a certain jump!
Or you can just roam around with your friends and take each other down (and if you have a web cam then a photo will be taken of you as you are taken down - how funny!).
You can also compete in loads of online races and as of the 10th of July a new download pack is available to download which not only adds more vehicles but also adds many more online modes from marked man to road rage. This game is good enough and is now getting even better.

All i can say is that i don't know if we will ever have a racing game as good as this! Well done Criterion!


Summary:

* Open world: The world of Paradise City is completely open for exploration. Tour around the streets to locate events, and opportunities to cause serious vehicular mayhem. Do anything, anywhere, any time.
* Serious destruction: The game promises the most explosive pile-ups ever, with an unprecedented level of crash deformation.
* Accessibility: No more popping in and out of menus, now the gameplay is seamlessly integrated with your exploration of the city.
* Online play: Burnout Paradise smashes racing conventions with innovative online features. Visit Paradise City with a friend, and bring your cars.

Summary: Best racing game ever!