Take me down to remastered city.
It is hard to fathom that it has been a decade since the last proper Burnout game was released. In its prime, this series was considered one of the best arcade racing games of all-time. The insane crashes and the sense of speed are still unparalleled to this day. With the influx of remasters flooding the current console cycle it was only a matter of time before the series returned. Burnout Paradise has returned complete with the iconic DJ Atomica and a little Axl Rose to set the mood.
Burnout Paradise was the first game in the series to adapt the open-world methodology. I remember when I reviewed the original game how skeptical I was going in. The series had always been event-based and linear, and the idea of tossing that aside in order to craft a seamless world where players were literally driving to each event seemed crazy at the time. Paradise also remains the most divided game in the series. Some people adored it, while others hated the change. Ten years later and not much has changed.
MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
This remaster comes packed with all of the DLC from the first game. This includes an entirely new island full of events to explore, a ton of cars unlocked right from the get-go, and even the inclusion of bikes that were added down the line. The game also features the quality of life improvements that were patched in over time such as being able to restart a failed event. Yes this was a thing when the game launched. Failing an event meant having to drive all the way back to the starting point to try again. It was annoying then, and it would have been unforgivable in today’s gaming world.
The game has also received a facelift for the new consoles. On Xbox One X and PS4 Pro the game runs at 4K at 60fps and it is glorious. The engine may be ten years old, but the speed and design are outstanding. Seeing the world of Paradise City rendered at this resolution really takes me back. It also makes things pop-out in the world more. Billboards are easier to spot and oncoming traffic easier to dodge. The game just looks and runs so well it is hard not to appreciate it.
It has never been argued that there is not a lot of content in Paradise. There are a plethora of challenges and races to complete, and a ton of hidden items and cars to collect. The online mode takes challenges to the next level with tasks specific to the player count in any given game. There are also social aspects such as the crash camera (yes it still works) and leader boards that could keep gamers busy for months. Top that on with all the DLC included and this is one stacked package.
This makes my next point hard to talk about. The price point feels a bit excessive. For a remaster $39.99 feels like a bit too much. Comparing that to the backwards compatible game on 360 and toss in all the DLC though and it comes up to roughly the same price. So it makes it even harder to argue. Still it is all about perception. Paying $40 for a game that is nearly a decade old that adds nothing new outside of a spruced-up visual package can seem harsh.
Burnout Paradise is as divisive as it has ever been, but now for other reasons as well. Still going back to this game brought back so many memories of playing with friends and the sense of speed is simply unmatched. I really enjoyed revisiting the world and think anyone who has fond memories will find more than enough here to warrant the price tag. Newcomers who never played the original are in for a treat though. There is nothing quite like Burnout Paradise and I hope the series makes a full return with a proper sequel in the near future.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
