Burnout 2: Point of Impact

"Rule 1: Don't Crash - Rule 2: CRASH, SMASH, BASH!"

INTRO

Burnout was very popular, one of the reasons being that the crashes were spectacular. The game has now got 3 sequels, Burnout 2: Point of Impact, Burnout 3: Takedown and Burnout 4: Revenge. Unfortunately, Burnout 3 and 4 were cancelled for the Gamecube so the last one was 2. But 2 is the pinnacle of the Burnout series.

GAMEPLAY

This game is fast. VERY fast. The speed the cars move at is incredible. Naturally, the aim of the game is to win each Grand Prix by finishing the races before the other 3 cars. But that doesn't mean that the fastest car always wins. As usual, the races take place in different places, for example, on an interchange or around an airport terminal. All the tracks are littered with other cars. It is a great feeling when you crash for the first time by hitting one of these cars. The crash physics are phenomenal. Every time you crash, a slow motion cutscene starts. The incredibility of the crashes depend on how fast you are moving. Moving slowly means you'll just skid to a halt or something. Moving quickly means you'll fly into the air and land with your tyres and paintwork flying off. Another good thing is when you crash any other cars behind you or in front of you will collide and become part of the wreckage. This also includes rival racers. You must be careful if you are right behind another racer because if they crash you'll crash into them. To go really fast you must use boosts. To gain boosts you must fill your boost bar. To do that you must drive recklessly, for example, driving on the wrong side of the road, catching air, driving to within inches of other cars and drifting. A little like Crazy Taxi. there are 2 views to choose from. 3rd person and 1st person. 1st person really is something when your going fast. When you start a new game you will be given a tutorial. This will place you in different missions teaching you how to fill up your boost bar by drifting, driving on the wrong side of the road, inching past cars and catching air. Once you complete all the levels you will unlock the Grand Prix. Complete that to unlock more Grand Prixs and so on. There are around 10 cars to start with and about another 10 to unlock. No Gran Turismo car customisations here. Just choose a car, a color and transmission and then your racing.

Grand Prix

In this mode you must win trophies by winning races. The amount of races in a Grand Prix varies from Grand Prix to Grand Prix. The least amount is 3 races, the most is 7 races. A win earns you a Gold medal and 3 points, 2nd earns you a silver medal and 2 points, 3rd gets you bronze and 1 point and 4th gets you no medal and no points. The car with the most points at the end of a Grand Prix wins. Getting Gold on all races unlocks extra levels, such as Pursuit levels.

Pursuit

In this mode you take control of a Police Car and you must hit the target car a certain number of times before they reach the finish. Do so and you complete the level and you unlock a new car (usually the car you were trying to hit).

Crash

One of the factors that made Burnout so popular now has its own game mode in this game. In this mode you are placed in a certain area and your aim is to drive into other cars and cause a huge pile up. The award you get depends on how well the crash was. You will be given a total amount of money depending on the damage you did. The more damage, the more money and the bigger the chance of getting Gold. This mode really shows off the crash physics.

GRAPHICS

The graphics are nice. They look even better when you are boosting. The scenery is great. There is one track that has you driving around an airport terminal on a rainy night. It looks brilliant. The car colors are great as well.

SOUNDS

As soon as you enter the menu screen, the usual rock music starts. The music continues into the game and the music gets louder when you boost. Usual racing music.

DIFFICULTY

Not that hard at fist but when the speed of the cars increases then it becomes frantic. Getting Gold on all tracks and crash areas is hard.

LIFESPAN

You'll never get tired of starting up your console and heading down the wrong way on an interchange at breakneck speed. Unlocking everything takes quite a bit more effort than you think. Will last for ages.

PROS

+Nice music
+Beautiful graphics
+Extremely fast
+Pick up and play
+Breathtaking crashes

CONS

Why would it be a 10/10 game if there were cons?!?

CONCLUSION

Get this game if you love racing games, crashing or rock music even. A must buy. 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/06/06