Burnout Revenge Xbox Review

Racing fans are very particular about the type of game they enjoy. If you have a game that has too much simulation added, some are turned off and if there is too much arcade style, others get turned off. Being a fan of this genre myself I have decided if the game is fun, it really does not matter! Let’s be honest any game that has a good angle, plenty of action and offers a challenge, that’s the main goal right?

Fans were not really sure what to think of the first Burnout game. I don’t think the game companies involved were sure for that matter. You had a game that featured racing and high impact accidents. Part of the problem was the TV ads and the marketing campaign aimed this for the die-hard racing fan. I myself had to really look hard to find something good to say about the final product until I really got what they were after. Burnout was always meant to combine the high-speed racing with huge accidents, in other words, ultimate mayhem.

The series finally began to show this in the second game. It also won just about every award a game could win. The third game has finally found that right mix of high-speed racing, accidents and my favorite part, the takedowns. Now with the bar set so high, the newest version of the series is out. Is Burnout Revenge the best of the series? Read on to see what XBS thinks of this high octane racing game.

Gameplay

The game takes place one year after the last and is accurate in the time frame. Fans of the series will notice the opening intro sets the tone of the new game right away. If you loved the gameplay and style in Burnout Takedown, you will think Burnout Revenge has been shot up with steroids! The opening grabs your attention and lets you know there are huge changes. Whenever a game changes the formula and was a hit itâ€™s a huge risk. Revenge takes the risk and it pays off big time for fans who love a real challenge and an insane arcade racer.

Fans will notice the single player mode is now more challenging as well as fun. You’re not just playing the events to unlock cars. Now bragging rights are on the line with a ranking system. Players will also notice a few changes in the games mechanics. The takedowns are there, the crash events are there also everything from last year. Only this time you have so many new options, the catch? You will need to rank up to earn all the new moves and of course those great cars. One thing that stood out besides the new DJ introducing the game and the flashy intros is the game no longer holds your hand while playing.

I loved Burnout Takedown, but I grew tired of the DJ in the game telling you where every key part in the game was for the signature takedowns. Now the game still offers hints but with multiple shortcuts and ramps. It’s a brand new game and one that works great. Throw in the new events where you have to smash as many cars as possible in a time limit and the game shows that it’s going forward while still having all the roots of the series intact.

There are eleven levels and you need to unlock each by beating the events. All the favorites are back; crash, race, elimination and the all-new traffic attack mode. Long time fans will notice a few of tweaks to the overall gameplay but this time the game has found its missing element. The car this year is the ultimate weapon and revenge is more than a catchy tag line. You get rewarded for aggressive driving and the more insane you’re driving the bigger the rewards. Sure it’s over the top and certainly an arcade style but it’s very addicting. Where else can you earn a bomb to blow up the guy that took you down in a race? This year that’s just one of the weapons.

The cars are new and long time players will see their favorites back with some new looks. You will also get a chance to test how well you handle a car in the hot laps. The cars have a new look and some special versions of past favorites including the Dominator, Hot-Rod and even a new Formula race car. For fans of the crash mode they included a few new special bigger vehicles as well as a new start system. Everything added works great, looks great and plays great.

If you thought Burnout Takedown was a little too easy, then Revenge is made for you. Those new will learn the ropes and be able to play as well. I normally breeze though the single-player mode. This time the game will take hours to beat and is the largest to date for the series. The added intros the new signature takedowns and the trophies all add a new high tech look and feel to the game.

Control / Playability

Learning the controls will come pretty easy for those who have played the other versions. They added a few new control features and the intros show you how to use them. The manual also explains everything very well. The layout of the controls is great and the learning curve is less than 30 minutes. Mastering the controls and tactics will take a while and even veterans will learn new things this year.

Each button needed is easy to reach and responds great. Nothing to complain about and the new crash starts will remind sports fans of a kicking meter. It’s explained as you reach each new level or event and this really was needed for players. It now shows you the controls in action and then helps you learn easier than reading. Again, the game has more advanced moves that can only really be learned by playing the game.

Xbox Live

Takedown fans will remember the online problems last year when the game was first released. Revenge has some of the same issues and one that will have a few gamers calling up EA or Microsoft. There is a glitch for whatever reason in that the game will flag certain gamertags locking them out of the online mode. Now I waited for a patch or for EA or Microsoft to resolve the issue. An answer was found and is easy but a bit time consuming. You will need to make a new account online at EA.com and re-link your gamer tag to EA.

Okay, the online mode has issues and while there is no good reason for it, the game is just too much fun to make a big fuss over this. It is easy enough to get on if it does flag your gamertag. The online mode has a few new additions I really like. You will notice you have an offline raking and rating, online you need to play to earn the right to use those really fast cars. The system awards points for time and place in an event or scores in crash mode. You can turn off the restrictions and race whatever you like or play it as it was meant to.

Rooms are a lot like last year except now if you’re in race mode and want to change to crash or takedown; you simply take the whole party with you and make a new room. This is a great addition and one that was needed last year. You can set the room to public or private and the boot button is there for annoying players. The host can change tracks without ever leaving the room. You still need to use the EA message service to type to friends not in the room. No voice message options but overall a huge improvement.

The ranking system also will cut down on those who exploited a glitch last year and reach a ranking untouchable. I love this and glad to see EA changed the ranking system. Everything is easy to find and making rooms are even faster now. I did not experience any lag I did get the now famous â€œUnable to connect with all playersâ€ and was booted a few times. This happens and is normally a conflict with another player’s settings or modem. Just like last year EA will be making improvements and already the past week I have seen improvements in this area.

Graphics / Presentation

The cars look great this year and they added a lot of details. The paint, chrome and new prototypes are great looking. Another added feature is the new trophies you earn and will see the awards in a way that fits the game. The game has some new graphics and some new camera angles all are an improvement and not overused. Every track looks fantastic and with the multiple shortcuts and paths makes for some very interesting races.

The new graphics and camera angles are not used for a gimmick it’s used to showcase the game and visually the game looks great. With the new ranking and story angle, the graphics add the right touches to make it all come together. Even the traffic vehicles look good and won’t look like the same car or bus over and over. Another improvement over last year’s version and really makes the game hard to put down.

Burnout Revenge Xbox Screenshot

View all Burnout Revenge Xbox Screenshots

Audio

The soundtrack is better this year although I have to say personally I prefer the custom soundtrack. All the sounds of the motors, gears changing and crashes are top-notch. Everything sounds different with each car picked. I liked this as well. The DJ does a great job as the guide, not like last year.

She is almost used in a way that enhances the role and the game. She sounds very professional and this is also a change from last year’s DJ. He sounded at times too scripted and almost at times tried too hard. The sound is great overall and the EA Trax provide a wide range for those interested or do not have any songs on their Xbox to use the custom soundtrack feature.

Replay Value

The game is loaded with replay value. The single player mode alone will take a long time to complete 100 percent. Die-hard fans will want to grab every signature takedown and car but the game allows you to enjoy it at any skill level. The crash events are challenging and improved a great deal from last year.

Throw in the insane traffic attack events and this is just a blast to play. The online mode is better balanced and the lobby is well made. It’s hard to find anything bad to say about the game. Well, except for the trouble if your gamer tag is flagged but it’s something that can be worked around.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 9.4/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

The high score shows how much I love this game. It has something for any racing fan and is a well designed game. I loved the new challenges the multiple routes and the revenge weapons. I would have liked to see a version come out without any issue with the online mode but again the game is too good and it’s something that will be fixed.

Having logged too many hours on last year’s game, this one beats it hands down in every way. Burnout Revenge will entertain racing fans off or online and is just a blast to play. I have no doubt this one will be taking home a lot of awards this year. So far hands down it’s the best racing game I have played all year. It’s arcade racing mixed with some real skill needed and keeps players hooked for hours!