Burnout Paradise

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Burnout Paradise
Developer(s)	Criterion Games
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Designer(s)	Alex Ward (Creative director)
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Release date	PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 USA January 22, 2008 EU January 25, 2008[1] JP February 21, 2008[2] Microsoft Windows TBA
Genre(s)	Racing, Open World
Mode(s)	Single player, Online multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: E10+ PEGI: 3+ OFLC: M
Media	Blu-ray Disc, DVD
Input methods	PS3: SIXAXIS Controller, DualShock 3 Controller, PlayStation Eye Xbox 360: Xbox 360 Controller, Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live Vision Microsoft Windows: Keyboard, Mouse

Burnout Paradise (formerly known as Burnout 5) is Criterion Games's newest installment in the Burnout video game series, which was released on January 22, 2008 in North America and on January 25, 2008 in Europe^[3]. It is available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and will be ported to Microsoft Windows. It has an open world set in the fictional Paradise City, with no loading times and no traditional online lobbies or game menus. The song "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses is the game's title music and also featured on the in-game soundtrack.

Contents 1 Features 1.1 Event Types 1.2 Mugshots 2 Demo 3 Reception 4 Expansions 4.1 Windows version 5 Music video 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Features

According to Alex Ward from developer Criterion Games, this game is a "complete reinvention" of the Burnout series.^[4] He also said "To create truly next-generation gameplay, we needed to create a truly next-generation game, from the ground up." Despite being in an open world, the game still retains the high 60 frames-per-second most Burnout games have used.^[5] Day and night cycles and weather conditions have been removed. Records will now be kept on players' drivers licenses and there will be statistics such as fastest time and biggest crash for every street in the game. Unlike in previous Burnout games, Crash Mode, now called Showtime, can now be started at any time and place in the game; though Showtime mode is rather different from the usual Crash Mode.^[6]. Also, for races, players may now take any route to get to the destination. Races and other events are simply started by stopping at any of the 120 traffic lights around Paradise City and applying the accelerator and brake at the same time. Multiple settings have been confirmed to be fully customisable^[7][8]such as:

• "Boost Rules", where the player may choose cars that use the boost styles from previous Burnout games.
• Whether or not there is traffic in an online event.
• Start and finish points for online events with up to 16 checkpoints.

The damage system has also been reworked. There are now two different types of crash based on the car's condition after the crash.^[9] If the player's car manages to retain all four wheels, and not break its chassis, the player may drive out of the crash and continue playing; this is called a "driveaway". If a player's car loses any of its wheels, has the engine damaged too much from an impact, or winds up outside of the game's map, the car is in a "wrecked" state and the player will have to wait until their car is reset. Cars can also be torn into several pieces, be compressed and deform around objects as you crash into them. However, Alex Ward confirmed in the Official Crash FM podcast that cars may not be ripped in half, as concept pictures and early information had stated. There are also other cars which can be obtained by typing in a sponsor code. These only work for certain regions. One of these sponsor code cars is the Steel Wheels version of the Carson GT concept car, which features the car with an armor plate and supercharger. The code for this car could be obtained from pre-ordering the game from certain retailers. When starting the single player mode you are assigned with a learner's permit and a single car. While playing you race and win events to earn points towards a higher license, from a Learners Permit (E-class), D-class, C-class, B-class, A-class, Burnout Paradise (S-class), Burnout Elite (SS-class) up to Criterion Elite (SSS-class). After earning a new license every event that you complete is reset so you can replay the event again to earn credit towards a new license.

Cars now have manufacturer and model names, which are loosely based on real-world cars but are mostly fictional (some of the cars are even based on those from a previous Burnout game, e.g. the Hunter Manhattan is the Classic from Burnout 2). Cars may not be "tuned up"^[10] or customized apart from color changes, which may be done in real-time by driving through the forecourt of a blow shop, which will randomly assign a color to the car, or by selecting the color in the Junkyard where you select your vehicle. Other real-time changes include driving through the forecourt of a gas station to automatically refill your Burnout meter, and driving through the forecourt of a repair shop to automatically repair your car, allowing you to extend a Road Rage or Marked Man event beyond the car's damage limits.^[11]

The online lobby system used by most video games has been replaced by a streamlined system known as "Easy Drive". While driving, players simply hit right on the D-Pad and the Easy Drive menu pops up on the bottom left hand corner of their screen. From there, players are able to invite another player from their friends list. Once friends have joined the game, the hosting player is then able to pick from a variety of events to play. There are also special Burnout Racing Team cars that you can get.

[edit] Event Types

• Race: Races consist of the player and at least 1 other car. The player is given a location to race to. The player can take any route through the city to the location with the aid of a flashing road names at the top of the screen when the player is advised to turn. First one to arrive wins. This is currently the only available mode online. Online races can also include checkpoints that need to be crossed before reaching the finish.

• Road Rage: The player is given a target number of takedowns and a time limit. A Road Rage event is won by meeting or exceeding this target in the given time limit.

• Marked Man: In this event, the player is given a destination. At least 1 opponent is trying to stop the player from reaching the destination by scoring takedowns against them. The player must survive from start to finish in order to win (the player can be part of collisions, but loses the event if he totals the car).

• Stunt Run: Players are given a target score. They must earn points towards that score by using boosts, jumps, drifts and other such stunt moves.

• Burning Route: Each Burning Route requires the player to use a specific car. Once the player is driving the required car, they race against the clock to a specified location. When a Burning Route is won the player wins an upgraded version of the vehicle they completed it with. The upgraded vehicle can boast extra boost power, more base speed or a stronger body (but usually in exchange for another category). This is the only kind of event that doesn't reset when the player earns a new license because it's tied to the car used to run it rather than the license level the player is presently at.

[edit] Mugshots

A "Mugshots" camera feature is available in the Burnout Paradise versions for the PlayStation 3 (using the PlayStation Eye, the PlayStation 2 EyeToy, and other compatible webcams) and Xbox 360 (using the Xbox Live Vision).^[12] When a player is taken down, they will have their photo taken, called a mugshot, and shown to the agressor. These photos can then be saved to your hard drive.^[13] Both versions will allow camera-less persons, or those who do not wish to use their real face, to use their gamertag/PSN avatar, as demonstrated in the downloadable game demos.^[14]

[edit] Demo

A demo featuring a Hunter Cavalry, a Nakamura Ikusa GT^[15] (only available in the Japanese version of the demo, but available in the full game), a stunt run, a race, a time trial activity, 4 player online capability, and 9 online challenges (three each for 2, 3, and 4 players) was made available on December 13, 2007 for both PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Store and Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Marketplace.^[14][16] On January 4 through January 14th, Criterion raised the maximum number of players for the online freeburn in the Paradise demo to 8 players (Which has since returned to 4 players). With it, a total of 13 new Freeburn challenges were made available for players to attempt - 3 challenges in 5, 6 and 7 player sessions, and 4 new challenges for those playing in 8 player sessions.^[17]. As of Thursday, April 17, 2008 the demo has gone offline.

The Demo received mixed reviews.

[edit] Reception

The game has generally been received very well, earning (among other things) the Editor's Choice in GameSpot. However, many of the reviewers have made the point that veterans and newcomers to the game may find the seamless world "daunting" at first.

Review source	Score(s)
Gamesmaster	90/100
PSM3	89/100
Edge	9/10[18]
Official Playstation Magazine	9/10
IGN	8.8/10
Gamer TV	9/10
Game Informer	8.5/10
GameTrailers	8.8/10
EGM	9.0/10, 9.0/10, 9.0/10
GameSpot	9.0/10
1UP	9.0/10
X-Play	4/5
GamesTM	7/10
Official Xbox Magazine	9.0/10
Official Xbox Magazine UK	8/10
360 Magazine	5/5 (5 stars)
Famitsu	36/40
Giant Bomb	5/5

[edit] Expansions

On the official Criterion Games forums, creative director Alex Ward has stated that new cars are in the works. These cars will be available as paid downloadable content. He has also stated that the first of what is to be several islands to be added will be made available as part of an update. Bridges extending from the main section of Paradise City will connect to these islands, offering "a new type of gameplay".^[19][20][21] Forum posts from Ward also alluded to the possibility of underground sections and further online content (including adding sirens to the police vehicles, and horns to the others, which would be used online in some form). Altogether, this expansion project has been collectively referred to as "Freeburn 2.0".^[22] Each update has been given a codename, including "Cagney", "Davis" and "Eastwood".^[23]

Gaming site Kotaku has listed some of Burnout Paradise's new expansions. The update codenamed 'Bogart', will fix several glitches and was due to be released on April 24th. ^[24] It was made available to Xbox 360 users on April 18th and to Playstation 3 users on April 24th.

The Cagney update set to release July 10th, will introduce three new FreeBurn multiplayer modes: Online Stunt Run, Marked Man and Road Rage. Online Stunt Run will involve up to 8 players simultaneously competing for the highest stunt score within 2 minutes. Road Rage will feature two teams: One must race to a checkpoint and then the finish line, while the other tries to stop them. Marked Man will be like a game of tag, with the marked man having no boost, their car will be slower and he/she won't be able to see the other players. One player will act as the Marked Man. He will get points for survival and the other players will get points for taking him down. In addition it will also bring custom soundtracks to the Playstation 3.^[25] Criterion also mentioned that they will aim to add "many more" online modes as time goes on.

On April 23, 2008 it was announced that Motorbikes and Night-Time would appear in the Davis Update, along with tailored locations, challenges and game modes.^[26]

New levels released as islands bridging to Paradise City were announced on April 28, 2008 as apart of the Eastwood Update.^[27]

[edit] Windows version

On May 9, 2008, Criterion officially announced Burnout Paradise will be coming to the Windows platform, a first for the series, with extras including new multiplayer content and community driven content. Not much else is known about the game at this time, but more information will be given in a live podcast at 4pm GMT at Criterion's website. ^[28][29]

[edit] Music video

Wyclef Jean's 2008 music video for his song Fast Car includes footage of Burnout Paradise.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official developer web site
• Official publisher website
• Wikia has a wiki on this subject: Burnout Paradise Wiki

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