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Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Acclaim
Genre: Racing
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 04 Oct 02
User Rating
9.4 (29 votes) -
- A racing game that encourage crashes? Offensive driving at its finest.
More Screens (6 total)
Overview
Burnout was a game originally for the Playstation 2 that made its way to all three major platforms. Burnout was a game that had a lot of great things going for it but also had some major flaws that held it back from being a true classic racer.
Gameplay
If you haven't played the original Burnout, here is a little background of exactly what this game is all about. This is not going to be your Gran Turismo 3 simulation, but a very fast paced arcade style game, where you're actually encouraged to crash and partake in what the game terms as "offensive driving".
You start off in the game with a mandatory Driver's Training mode, where you will have to go through lessons on how the game works. From turning and braking to cutting off traffic to raise boost level. It may sound like a tedious task for Burnout veterans, but this license mode serves as a nice tutorial for beginners to the series to learn Burnout 2's gameplay mechanics.
You will find through the training mode that one of the most important portions of Burnout 2 is being a wreckless driver to fill your boost meter. This can be accomplished by executing the abovementioned offensive driving maneuvers, such as driving fast on the wrong side of the road, narrowly avoiding incoming traffic, powersliding on turns and getting air on road bumps. When the meter is filled, you can use the boost, which produces an exhilarating sensation of extreme speed.
But that's not all. If you manage to fill your boost meter while using the initial boost, you get a second and more powerful boost. Fill it up while using that one, and you'll get the ultimate rush, the aptly named burnout boost. This is where Burnout 2 differentiates itself from the competition, and it does so with absolute aplomb.
There are several different modes in Burnout 2, including of course a Championship mode, in which you will spend most of your time on but also a very addicting Crash mode. The crash mode is a mode in which you crash. The object is to go as fast as you can and create the biggest wreck possible. This is really a great mode to play with friends because first it becomes addicting, and second creating huge 20 car pileups is just plain fun.
The championship mode of Burnout was pretty weak and unorganized. In Burnout 2 it is really a lot more structured and it still maintains the same amount of fun that the original Burnout had. The customization of cars is still present and for the most part it is still also a lot of fun to mess around with.
Along with the great championship and crash mode comes along a pursuit mode. That can be played as both a multiplayer mode and a single player mode, and in both cases it is a lot of fun.
One of the biggest issues with fast paced arcade racers is how they control. The controls of Burnout 2 have some excellently smooth controls that allow you to swerve in and out of lanes with a breeze. Another nice part of Burnouts controls is really how easy they are to learn and get used to. So this is really a game you could probably just pick up and play.
The sound in Burnout 2 is also pretty impressive. The sound effects really just sound excellent. The sound of the two cars hitting each other could sound better. The revving of the engines and then screeching of the brakes all sound above average and really keep you in the racing feel. Along with the great sound effects comes some nice rock music to keep you up and ready for all the twisting and turning you will have to do throughout the race.
Graphics
Really the most noticeable problems with the original Burnout on the PS2 had to be the graphics, which were just plain below par. This is no longer the case with Burnout 2, and in fact this may be one of the best looking racing titles on the PS2.
Every track in which you race on has it's own sharp and unique feel to it. This is a lot better then before when all the courses looked the same. Along with the better looking courses come some extremely well detailed vehicles. When going at the top speeds in Burnout is really where the strength of the graphics are shown. During these high speeds, everything maintains a nice framerate, so there will really be no slow down, and everything still stays relatively sharp.
Really what the Burnout series is known for is there crash sequences and that holds true with this version. Watching the instant replays of the crashes is just pure pleasure and they all take great camera angles to make the crash look even better.
Fun Factor
One of the most important things of an arcade racing title like Burnout 2 is they have to be light hearted and entertaining. This is so true for Burnout 2. It is really a game where you can sit back and just have fun. The multiplayer is really where the game can just become a party of great times with the Crash and the Pursuit levels to choose from that will really keep you occupied for a long time.
Overall
The only complaint I can come up with is the Championship not being as deep as I would hope. This is not a very long game but it has a great replay value when you have friends over. If you own or don't own the original Burnout then this should be a definite contender for your wish list this holiday season.
- Gameplay
9.0 - Graphics
9.0 - Fun Factor
10.0 - Overall
9.0
