Burnout 2: Point of Impact

"I've completely ruined my car, caused $30 million dollars and damage, possibly killed a few people. Does anybody have some Band-Aids?"

Burnout was a racing title released late last year. Most people would remember it for its fast paced racing action, and crazy assed crashes. Of course, the game was not without its problems, mainly in the graphics department (very jagged, but the GC and XBox versions did not suffer from this problem), as well as some minor gameplay faults, such as the replays of crashes slicing up the action. Criterion Games, known mainly for Renderware, and quirky titles such as Trickstyle and Airboarder, have really pulled their finger out on Burnout 2, and produced a very high quality title.

If you're a fan of simulation racing or have a complete lack of tolerance for arcade racing, you might as well head off right now, because Burnout is pretty much as arcade-like as it gets. There's no need to learn the rails - pick up a pad, and you're off. Burnout is fast-paced, over-the-top, pure racing action.

Improving a proven formula is the name of the game here, and Criterion haven't disappointed us in the slightest. Graphics were the main problem with the original version - it was plagued by horrible aliasing problems. Thankfully these have been fixed, and Burnout 2 looks absolutely brilliant. Secondly, there's a larger variety of tracks, 32 in total over 6 different locations. As you progress through the game certain sections of the tracks open up, providing newer ways to progress through the race. Of course, there are more cars now - 21 in total, 14 normal and 7 hidden, including a police car and a student driver car. Finally, two new modes, Crash and Pursuit, both of which are absolutely fantastic, and bring Burnout 2 to the forefront of the PS2's huge software library.

As I've mentioned before, graphics weren't really one of Burnout's strengths, but Criterion have gone back to the drawing board, and really done a fantastic job of improving things. While most of us would know that the PS2 is a bit of a bitch when it comes to RAM, Criterion have produced graphics which put some XBox and Gamecube games to shame. Burnout runs at a constant 50 frames per second, and thanks to the addition of a 60hz mode, the game can be played the way it was meant to be - full screen and at 60 frames per second. Textures on the side of the road can be a little sloppy, but as you are travelling so fast normally, you won't really notice these, should you not be paying attention to the road. Environments are particularly nice - especially when they are subject to weather, such as rain. The cars are of basic designs, such as 4 Wheel Drives, Utes, sports cars, etc. but with a bit of polish, some nice chrome, a lot of brilliant reflection effects, they begin to look very pretty. For those of you out there with psychotic driving tendencies, the crash damage has been improved, the cars are just about completely destructible. Bonnets, wheels, doors fly off when you crash, the car's frame will buckle, glass will smash, and sparks will fly everywhere. Finally, the game was meant to have supported Progressive Scan, but I cannot seem to find a place to activate it (I do have a TV that supports it, but no component cable - could it be an autodetect thing?).

Audiophiles will be happy to know that Burnout 2 fully supports Dolby Pro Logic II. While the game features the usual crashing, smashing, and general driving sounds you'd come to expect from a racing game, there are a few special touches. When you hit the turbo, the screen pans a little, the music volume goes up a few notches, and the tempo of the music completely changes - music speed and rhythm is relative to your speed. While the music is straight forward hard rock, I found it to be very pleasing, especially with surround sound on.

Starting with Offensive Driving 101, Burnout 2 teaches you 6 different tricks which you will need to know if you wish to survive in the big bad world of.....driving really fast. These include driving in the wrong lane, burnouts, turboing, passing cars as close as possible without hitting them, and jumping. Once you are finished with training, its onto the Championship, where the brunt of the game is. You start of on your first series of three races. Racing is pretty simple. Pull dangerous stunts, such as driving on the wrong side of the road, or pulling burnouts and skids, and a turbo meter will build. Use the turbos, and be first over the line. . Win them and soon after you will be on your way into the pursuit mode. In the pursuit mode, you take the role of a police car, and must cause as much damage to a getaway car as you possibly can. Of course, the championship mode builds on these, and eventually it just becomes a bit repetitive. Outside of the racing modes, there is the Crash mode. Your mission: cause as much damage as you possibly can by starting a traffic accident. You rack up a basic score (measured in $) and each extra car that crashes in will cause your multiplier to raise. My personal best was $33.9 Million, caused by an absolutely insane accident. The physics involved in the crashes are absolutely mind boggling, if a little overstated. Gameplay is all around very fast paced - running at a constant 60 frames per second (if you're in 60hz mode). Despite the fast speed, the cars stay glued to the road (thank you, arcade physics), but thankfully, they will fly if something or someone decides to collide into them (ahem, Polyphony Digital should take note that when you smack into a car, they should move off their predetermined rail tracks :P). Computer AI cars actually have faults, they get involved in crashes, spin out, and so on.

Controlling Burnout 2 is a simple task. The left hand stick controls your steering, X accelerates, Square brakes, Triangle changes your view, R1 turbos - that's all you really need to know. Being an arcade game, the special driving techniques, such as slides, burnouts, skids, etc. are all very easy to pull off. The cars themselves are very responsive.

Multiplayer modes are present in the form of single race, crash and pursuit modes. I think one can gather from the amount of praise I have put into the single player versions of these races that the multiplayer versions can only be better, especially for pursuit mode.

I can't say I really have any problems with Burnout 2. I think the championship mode gets a little repetitve, and perhaps the crash mode is a bit easy (beaten in an hour sitting), but I think there is plenty around to keep people coming back for more. While Crash may be a little short lived, it can be very competitive between you and a bunch of your mates.

Now, down to the business end of the equation;

Graphics: 9.1

It looks bloody brilliant, and gives titles such as GT3, not to mention games on the more powerful next-gen systems, a run for their money. Constant high framerates and 60hz modes score high in my book every time.

Sound: 8.7

I'm a bit of a sucker for hard rock in games, and in a game such as this it helps with the adrenaline. Particularly good when in Turbo mode. The sound effects are a little stock standard, but they do their intended purpose.

Gameplay: 9.0

Brilliant arcade racer. Crash and pursuit modes are just the icing on the cake. Easy to pick up, and hard to put down.

Control: 8.8

Very tight controls, very easy to learn.

Lastability: 7.9

While the championship mode is over a bit quickly, and the Crash mode can easily be flown through in an hour, things can become very competitive between yourself and a few friends.

Improvements: 9.4

Burnout 2 is exactly what you want your sequels to be. Just about every fault of the original has been fixed, and several brilliant new modes have been added.

Pro's

- 60 hz mode
- Constant, smooth framerate
- Crash mode
- Insane crashes
- Pursuit mode
- Great graphics
- Aurally pleasing
- Tight Controls

Con's

- Championship gets repetitive
- Crash mode can easily be finished in an hour
- Acclaim's marketing campaign in the UK for this game

Does this game belong in my collection? Yes

Anyone looking for an arcade racing, quit reading this review and buy this game now! If you're more of a sim buff, give it a rental and see if you like it. Even if you don't like racing games, I'm sure you can find some sort of enjoyment in Burnout 2.

Overall: 9.1 (not an average, adjusted to 9 for GameFAQs)

I can't speak highly enough of this game. I wasn't really a fan of the original, but this game has really taken me by suprise. I thought perhaps Arcade racing was a thing of the past, but Criterion have proved me wrong with a very solid title, one of the best in the Playstation 2 library. Now, it's time to see if I can cause another one of those $33 million dollar crashes.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/13/02, Updated 10/13/02