Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360)

As you complete races and challenges, you earn points towards your next license permit: going from learner all the way up to the top, as you do so you’ll unlock new bonuses and cars. You’ll notice that there are some new game-types in the game like Marked Man, where you’re tasked with getting from point A to B and surviving as computer AI bad-guys try to take you down.

There are also various ways to earn boost in BO:P. Each car type gathers it differently, speed cars will gain boost for fast driving and reckless abandon. Stunt cars will gain it for insane air and rolls/flips. Aggressive cars will gain it from smashing into other vehicles and takedowns.

The graphics for the game are gorgeous, each car is well designed and modelled, the crash physics are excellent and there’s once again a feeling of insane top speed that only the Burnout series can provide. The only problem is, with all this open ended city gameplay, secrets galore and challenges there’s no actual feeling that you want to do any of them except to get the next permit.

Unlocking cars is fun for a while, but there’s no way of appreciating the sheer automotive carnage that ensues when you plow into another car and send them crashing off into a wall. Or you get hammered into a pylon and the crash physics deform it around the metal pole. It’s there in glorious slow motion for a few seconds and then it’s gone, never to be repeated in the same way, the moment lost.

The races are spectacular with plenty of short cuts and total freedom; you’re not confined to a single track. They’re A-B races with no need for laps or anything; you put your foot down and battle to the end regardless. Yet after you’ve done a few, you start to see the shine flake off the paint and the graphics don’t make up for the fact you’re missing the feeling of accomplishment. Your annoying radio announcer rambles on in the background and you’re left feeling suddenly disconnected from the game.

I reached a critical mass of sorts with it, too much freedom in a way. It was nice to see those reigns come off, but I wouldn’t have minded a little more meat on the bones since I don’t really desire to constantly one-up my friends who’re online or race custom races with other users. Sure there are people out there with a highly competitive spirit that probably think I’m talking a load of old cobblers, yet for me, it’s a simple case of: I got bored.

Which is the first for a Burnout game.

The truth is, open ended gameplay, big cities and spectacular crashes don’t make up for a lack of important features and modes missing from an otherwise fun and decent game.

Perhaps another Burnout game will reset the balance, but for me, Paradise City isn’t as fun as getting some Revenge.