Burnout: Paradise

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Burnout: Paradise

Preview

Formerly Burnout 5, Paradise is sure to impress.

Now that you've had your Revenge...


Burnout: Revenge is currently the only next-gen Burnout game on the market, but come winter that is all going to change. Electronic Arts and Criterion Games have been saving the best for last, it seems, with the release of Burnout: Paradise. Like its predecessor, Paradise will be released on the XBOX 360 but it will also debut on the PlayStation 3, giving fans a better chance of having access to the game.

Strap yourself in, 'cause you're going for a ride


With the advent of next-gen, the graphics engines used in video games have drastically increased in power and detail. Paradise pulls as much as it can from the improved systems, and it shows in the fine detail. Light refracts off windows, the paint positively shines in the sunlight... and, best of all, the flames from your NO2 roar out of your speakers.

And what would a racing game be without NO2? The traditional blurry effect that comes with such a boost has been enhanced quite a bit for Paradise; you literally lose all sense of shape and almost all sense of color with just a shot of that precious liquid. Your car of choice retains its dimensions, though, so you can still gaze upon that sweet ride you spent 20+ hours customizing to look perfect.

Look out world, here I come!


Paradise strays from the Burnout tradition by moving away from the sequential gameplay found in all other Burnout games. It seems like Criterion has taken a page from the Need For Speed franchise and created an open-ended world for you to explore. The entire city is yours to investigate, and much has been done to ensure that you enjoy it.

The world featured in Burnout: Paradise is fully interactive, as well. You will crash into anything that gets in your way -or that you get in the way of- and you will get points for all the mayhem and destruction that you cause. These points can be used to purchase upgrades for your ride, as well as newer, faster cars that can improve your reputation. No word as of yet as to the variety of vehicles up for grabs, but the ones we have been shown are sweeter than you would ever have thought possible.

You will need that slick ride for sure, as online racing is a big part of Burnout: Paradise. It is also brand new to the series, so it will be interesting to see how Electronic Arts and Criterion will manage this new aspect of their popular franchise. It is also unknown whether or not gamers with the 360 version will be able to race against those using the PS3's. While it makes sense that such a thing will be included, gamers have been let down before by such situations.

Crash and burn


The word "Crash" has become a synonym for "Burnout" in gamers' minds, as each Burnout game to date has had some of the most spectacular crash engines especially when compared to other racing games of its time. Paradise will not disappoint, according to Electronic Arts. With the removal of load screens and sequential gameplay, not to mention the supremely awesome power of both systems, the crashes featured in the latest Burnout can't help but be spectacular.

The hype so far has been great, but if history has taught us anything, it is that promises can be broken. While Paradise looks to bring the Burnout series to a whole new level, it is taking a bit of a risk. Will the series rise up to new heights, or crash and burn? Only time will tell.