![XBLA horror game Deadlight "is NOT a zombie shooter," says dev](http://www.oxmonline.com/files/imagecache/featured_content/deadlight-feature-300.jpg "XBLA horror game Deadlight "is NOT a zombie shooter," says dev")
Burnout Paradise
Things move fast in Paradise City. You’ve heard that the grass is green and the girls are pretty, but with drive-thru body shops and absolutely no cops, there’s no stopping anytime in this torque-obsessed ’burg. Cars don’t even have speedometers here, for there are only two speeds: too fast and dead stop. This is a metropolis for drivers with steel nerves, lead feet, and brass balls. Welcome home.
No longer a linear affair, Burnout Paradise offers a free-roaming city environment — think Test Drive Unlimited with a death wish and put-up-or-shut-up challenges at every traffic light. Your 75-car garage is split into three classes. The nimble, fragile Speed roadsters work best in regular races and time trials, but you can also win those with Stunt cars, even if their balance makes them best suited for the trick-filled Stunt Runs. The beefy Aggressive class was built for chaos in the survival-oriented Road Rage, Marked Man, and Showtime events, and it’s these three destructive events that feel the most satisfying.
In Road Rage, you hunt and take down X number of competitors as you blaze around the city; when you’re the marked man, the start and end points are clearly defined — you just need to survive in-between to win. Showtime, meanwhile, is a worthy, on-demand sequel to Crash Mode. Tap both bumper buttons at any time to make your car tumble down the road. You’ll get cash for each car you smash, not to mention a distance bonus — a great combo can flip your car all the way across town. The series’ signature spectacular wrecks pack more impact (and shrapnel) than ever: you’ll be surprised how the tiniest bump can send your hot-rod careening through traffic. And while that physics demonstration looks as lovely as any of the lush scenery, we’re not sure why crash segments are unskippable.
Several similar, small end-user tweaks would have smoothed out Paradise’s very few rough edges. The visuals’ muted colors and bloom effects sometimes make it hard to read the road, while competitor and target cars don’t have any markings to help you know your enemy. You can’t set waypoints on the map or zip directly to a location as you do in Skate, but that latter restriction is clearly intentional. The only way to truly learn the city is to explore it, and you’ll find many unmapped tunnels, shortcuts, ramps, and alternate routes that prove crucial as the game progresses. At super speeds in advanced races, your car’s turn signals and flashing street signs won’t give you enough warning — you need to foresee and commit to drift turns long before you get to crunch-tacular T-intersections. Think of it like learning a Halo map, only on a much larger scale.
Knowing every shortcut becomes crucial online. In addition to traditional leaderboard races, Burnout Paradise offers a unique Freeburn Mode. A few easy taps on the D-pad, and you’re suddenly on Xbox Live, cruising the city with other humans — no loading required. The social and largely cooperative Freeburn Challenges dare you to jump over each other’s cars or pull off synchronized barrel rolls between city cruises. They’re the online gaming equivalent to “Let’s ride bikes,” and they’re a lot of laid-back fun.
Burnout Paradise’s online and offline challenges cram in a lot of value and variety. As long as you’re willing to explore the city’s nooks and crannies, drive offensively, and take a hell of a lot of risks, you’ll find it supremely rewarding.
On Xbox 360
+ Constant challenge — you’ll never run out of races.
+ Unique, casual Freeburn Challenges online.
- Hard-to-spot opponents could use icons or glow effects.
? How could a limited demo do this sandbox city justice?
9.0
Related
More like this:
Dark5tar1
June 27, 2009 at 12:35pm
wow u r just a stupid h8r if u dont like Burnout its one of the best games and best series ever
shadowthunder66
September 10, 2008 at 11:16pm
Just got this a couple of days ago and I'm completely addicted. Can't wait for the bikes & the Island update. Excellent work Criterion - keep it up! "You gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?" - The Outlaw Josey Wales
Scars4Life8989
June 08, 2008 at 2:04pm
Very fun game. It is hillarious when u r racin then the guy in front of u runs into a civilan car hahahahahaha.
badassguy_69
February 28, 2008 at 6:40pm
I am very satisfied with this game, with the many options you get from the very begining makes the reply value sky-rocket. the only problem i seem to have is the controls could have been slightly better. i find myself crashing into more cars now than i did in all the other burnout games. seems like i dont even hit a car and i find myself being thrown around like a rag doll.
ScreechSkater
January 31, 2008 at 10:22pm
This game is amazing simply because of Avril Lavigne. Nah in all seriousness it is the best racing game I have ever played in my life, forget boring Forza and Gran Turismo tracks, this is where it's at. XBL GT - ScreechSkater22
acura07
January 26, 2008 at 2:03pm
At last they answered my needs, a open wheel Burnout with open driving! Here I come Paradise City!!!!
nobru28
January 25, 2008 at 6:07am
I CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY BURNOUT PARADISE. THE TRACKS ARE AMAZING AND SO DOES THE GAMEPLAY. VERY COOL !!!!!
SaikosisFilms
January 24, 2008 at 12:36am
Oh yeah, the "Criterion Fever" Achievement is a very cool idea! FINALLY! A virus you WANT to catch! -Saiko (GMR TAG: SAIKOSIS Films) SAIKOSIS FILMS. & SOGGY CRACKER COMIX. www.youtube.com/saikofilms
SaikosisFilms
January 24, 2008 at 12:34am
I'm glad the OXM staff gave this game a proper rating! GI was too consumed with little details that were not a reason to lower it's rating. (c'mon, if you don't like the music, turn it off! custom soundtracks remember??) I didn't think this game was going to be that great either, but once I started, tried freeburning, and sent some great mugshots, I was officially HOOKED! This game rocks and if you want to add your mug to my line up, hit me up!!! -Saiko (GMR TAG: SAIKOSIS Films) SAIKOSIS FILMS. & SOGGY CRACKER COMIX. www.youtube.com/saikofilms
GSKILLERCOOKIES
January 23, 2008 at 5:28pm
Gamertag: KILLEROFCOOKIES. I really wanna get this! I've played 2 and 3 so I know this is a great game! Oh and I played the demo too! 1467 Achievements Unlocked!
SharpShot303
January 23, 2008 at 7:17am
GamerTag=LORD SNIP303 ya this game is acctually looking pretty good some of the other games of burnout have had some truble in the past but this game doesent look so bad.
oldguygamer
January 22, 2008 at 8:49pm
From the oldguygamer: I'll bet I can get lots of achievements with this game. Has anyone played it yet besides the OXM guys? I like Forza 2 alot, and this seems to have some of the same concept.
Connect with OXM Online
Featured Content
Take-Two offers no assurances that the company will renew its expiring deal with...
Bungie's contract with Activision includes four sci-fi shooters, a year of Xbox...
Failed Kinect integration proves that you can't teach an old serpent new tricks.
This month's issue
Features
Crysis 3 announced!
Reviews
Trials Evolution, Devil May Cry HD Collection, South Park XBLA
Previews
Assassin's Creed III, Halo 4, Deadlight, and more!
OXM Twitter Feed
- OXM: 2K may not have BioShock to rock October, but it has another top franchise on tap, with XCOM: Enemy Unknown on 10/9 http://t.co/QLyswSRB11 hours 23 min ago
- OXM: Lego Batman 2 pre-order DLC lets you choose from heroes like Captain Marvel & Nightwing or villains like Bizarro. http://t.co/XxhkAskd13 hours 50 min ago
- OXM: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is here...and it's amazing! Don't miss our red-hot review: http://t.co/yRZ8GMtt @GhostRecon @Ubisoft @RedStorm15 hours 24 min ago
