Burnout still going strong (Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360))

Member Name: DavidG91

Product:	Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360)
Date:	01/07/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Online options, DLC, lasting value

Disadvantages: No Crash mode

The Burnout series has been going for a while, and in doing so, has never really grown old and tired. Paradise is a perfect example of this, as the game is great again.

Burnout Paradise brings something slightly new to the game, it is now a free roam racer. You aren't restricted to menus and car selection screens, rather, you can now just race whenever you're in the vicinity of the starting line, a solid addition to the game. The freeroam also allows players to search for things such as gates, billboards and stunt jumps.

There are many game modes to partake in, there is the standard race, a returning road rage mode, a returning and more realistically timed burning lap, or now route, as well as a stunt run. There are also "Side game modes" in "Showtime", a strange version of crash mode, and "Road Rules", where you basically have to race down all the streets in a time limit.

The major flaw to this game is perhaps the lack of the Burnout 2, 3 and 4 Crash mode. A massively popular part of the Burnout series which was bizzarely removed by Criterion, and subsequently replaced with "Showtime". Showtime can be fun to play, however, it's not as realistic or enjoyable as the crash mode was. The loss was, and still is, a massive shame for the game, and many Burnout fans as well.

A big part of the game, and also notable high point, is the online. You can choose to do any of the single player modes at any time whilst free roaming online. The more used option however, is to take part in 1 of the 500 challenges available to you (Including DLC). These challenges are either normal or timed, and there are 50 normal challenges to do in each player category (eg. 2 player, 4 player etc.) all the way up to 8 players. These will keep you playing for a while as it takes a long time to complete them.

Talking of DLC, there is a lot of it. The first set of DLC, which was motorbikes, timed challenges and a few online cars were completely free. These were followed by the Cops and Robbers add on, which is an online game mode with just about 30 cars, which costs 800 MS Points - Which is considered a bit steep. The other smaller add ons were mainly cars packs which all vary in price. The main DLC released by Criterion was Big Surf Island, which costs 1000 MS Points. It comes with challenges, new events and vehicles. The amount of support by Criterion following the release of Burnout Paradise is astounding and there are signs that it will continue.

Summary: About as good a racing game as is currently available.