Burnout Paradise

I know this is late to review, but I just bought and started playing this game last week...

I had played a Burnout game about 4 or 5 years ago and loved all of it. I just recently started to play Burnout Paradise and I like it a lot.

In the last game I played, in the main mode there was just a world map and you would select which events you wanted to do. While racing, or crashing, there would be a set track like most racers. It was fun and I enjoyed it while I was able to play it. In this new Burnout, it has a free roam feature that lets you explore Paradise City (and the Paradise Island DLC) and discover what there is to find. I personally like this feature over the way Burnout used to be. Also, while in a race or event, you still have that freedom. There are no more walls with arrows or some kind of barricade that tells you which way you are supposed to go; you go whichever way you like.

I don't know what the online play was like in previous Burnout games, but I think the online play is great in this one. It has a constant flow of information on what records you're friends have broken and what streets they now own. If you want to go online with other racers, you can access a menu that appears while you are free roaming. You don't have to press pause or go back to the main menu. The connection is, if not instant, almost instantly and you don't have to wait in a lobby or anything. There are also quite a few challenges/events to enjoy and compete in when playing online with a few friends.

I have read a few things about this game online. Some people say that it is extremely realistic. The only things to me that are "extremely" realistic are the crashes and the sound of the engines. When you crash or wreck your vehicle, the game will most likely go into slow motion and show you all the crinkles, bending, and smashing of the car. Depending on how you crash, you will see pieces of metal and rubber flying everywhere. The wheels will come off and if you crash into something sideways, your car may even start wrapping around what you crashed into. The engines do sound realistic, but when you are on a straight a way, if you are holding the throttle the whole time the car will continue to shift up, and up, and up. It doesn't stop unless you start to slow down or the alternative, which would be crashing/wrecking.

Burnout Paradise has quite a few cars to choose from, including cars from previous games. This wide variety lets you try out Paradise City a few different ways. I have a few personal favorites that I tend to stick with. There are three different kinds of boost though. Aggression, Speed, and Stunt. You can also stick the cars in these boost categories. If you have some built up frustration, grab an aggressive car and go on some road rage. If you feel like showing off your moves and getting some style points, get into a stunt car and jump off a few ramps in a stunt event.

If you like cars, smashing stuff, and insane jumps, this could be a good game for you. I like it a lot. It's an especially great time if you can get some friends online and drive around whether it's racing, or wrecking each other all over the city.