I feel the need for speed! (Burnout 3: Takedown (Xbox))

Member Name: soamiguy

Product:	Burnout 3: Takedown (Xbox)
Date:	05/11/05 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: pick up and playability ! ! graphics, feeling of speed

Disadvantages: dj can become repetitive, gets very hard !

Lets get one thing straight from the start. I rock at computer games. Unless they are driving games. I am rubbish at them. I don't know why - I can drive after all! I normally just avoid them because then I can go around thinking about how great I am at games without facing up to the evil reality of the driving genre.

Then I played burnout 3. I had tampered around with the first burnout and, while I thought the graphics were pretty good, I wasn't really given any indication that I was playing a prequel to what would become one of the most addictive and enjoyable racing games of the next gen consoles.
Not that burnout 3 is just another run of the mill racing game. You don't have to actually pass your driving test again (like the gran tourismo series), you aren't invited to spend weeks 'modding' your car (juiced, need for speed) or given any rocket launchers or flame throwers (mashed). What your are able to do is cause damage. As in Grand Theft Auto levels of damage.

In the main bulk of the game you work your way across 3 continents (america, europe and aisa) fighting it out with cpu controlled drivers in different game modes. They are: Race - does what it says on the tin! Road Rage - you have to take down as many other drivers as possible before the time runs out or your car falls apart, Face off - one-on-one race where you win your opponents car, Burning lap - a ridiculously fast lap in an F1 car just against the clock Pursuit - chase and hit 1 particular car before taking him out (anyone remember arcade classic 'apb'?), Elimination - 6 laps where every lap last place is eliminated and finally Grand Prix - you recieve points for your place over 3 races.
You are constantly encouraged in all modes to take out the opposition and cause as much damage as possible; during an event your boost bar (a kind of nitro injection) is increased for every car you take out, you are given a new car for compiling enough points and takedowns, aswell as unlocking new events and awards. You are constantly rewarded for taking risks - driving safely on the right side of the road gets you nothing here.

If this were not enough gameplay for the single player there is also 'Crash mode' in which the amount of havoc and damage you are required to create hits all new levels of chaos. The premise is simple. You, a crossroads and a lot of traffic. Your aim: cause the most amount of damage possible. This is measured in $ value so it's best to aim for the bigger vehicles such as tankers or busses. There are also various pick ups which multiply your final score.

The graphics are sublime, no driving game gets anywhere near creating the genuine feel of speed you get from this title and the sound - with it's punk rock upbeat soundtrack and growling motors fit perfectly. The only downside is the dj, Striker, whose script is very entertaing but limited. You will find yourself repeating levels over and over again as the game progresses and you are treated to the same lines over and over again. It's a minor niggle though and I really can't recommend this game enough, especially as you can usually pick it up for under £30 - to anyone who can hold a pad.

Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable game even for those who are not normally fans of this genre.