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There’s something about the shattered glass and twisted steel that makes gamers cringe as they watch their car helplessly tumble down the busy streets of Paradise City.
“Burnout Paradise” for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, Criterion Games’ latest entry in the “Burnout” franchise, brings signature white-knuckle racing and arcade feel to the open road.
The biggest draw to “Paradise” is the new open-world mechanic.
Instead of participating in canned races and challenges selected from a menu, players are dropped into Paradise City, a city by the bay with fast cars, busy streets and plenty to do.
Almost every intersection in Paradise City has an event, which can range from simple point-to-point races to scored stunt runs, many
“Burnout” favorites mixed in between.
To start a race, just pull up to a stoplight, hold the brake and step on the gas.
The open-world racing game idea isn’t new, but “Paradise” does its best.
The only complaint about the setup is the lack of a retry option when players mess things up.
If players want to redo an event, they have to turn themself around, go back to that intersection and try it again.
Early on, it’s not that frustrating, since other races will be waiting near the finish line.
Later, however, when players have already done many of the races, backtracking adds a little too much insult to injury.
Speaking of injury, Criterion has outdone itself in the crash department.
Beyond simple broken windows and crumpled fenders, cars twist and mangle themselves into gnarled piles of metal and glass.
Crash just the right way, and players can send wheels or even the whole engine block sailing.
Visceral crashes are just icing on an already gorgeous game.
Burnout games are known for being pretty, but Paradise goes beyond expectation.
The sun-washed streets of Paradise City are beautifully crafted with nary a framerate dip in sight.
Like any good racing game these days, online play is a must.
The game’s Freeburn mode lets players drive with others across the streets of Paradise City, turning it into a giant vehicular playground.
At any time, simply press right on the D-pad, select Freeburn and players are set.
Players can organize races or specific challenges to compete in, or can just go about doing their own thing in the same “make your own fun” vein as “Crackdown”’s co-op or the Forge in “Halo 3.”
360 Core owners need to be wary, as the game’s online mode requires a hard drive.
Also, with no split screen for both PS3 and 360, if you don’t plan to play online, expect to drive solo.
With its arcade feel and instantly gratifying drive anywhere mentality, “Paradise” is great for squeezing in a race or two between classes, and with hundreds of shortcuts to find and cars to unlock, it will always have plenty for one to do.
For anyone looking for something new to dive into, or just want something to pick up and play, take “Burnout Paradise” out for a spin.
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