Burnout Revenge

"A very solid port, that is definitely worth trying even if you've played the game already."

Even if you've already played Burnout Revenge on Xbox or PS2, the Xbox 360 version is undoubtedly still worth trying at least. Trust me, I was really skeptical when I popped this into my 360 as I had already played quite a bit of Burnout Revenge on my normal Xbox. It didn't take very long before I was hooked all over again.

Gameplay 8/10
The gameplay really hasn't changed all that much from the original Burnout Revenge. Your reflexes are still put to the ultimate test as you dodge and weave cars like as if you were Vin Diesel in The Fast and the Furious, and you still have your thumb almost glued to the Boost button to get that much needed extra speed that you will definitely need if you want to succeed.

Just like previous Burnout games, you have your regular race mode, crash mode, road rage mode, and a couple of other variations. Everything has been polished up for the 360 version though, and this is immediately noticeable in crash mode. You always start with a full boost now, so you can get on in the action without having to worry about it. Furthermore, restarting crash mode is a ton faster making it a ton more fun as well.

If you've never played a Burnout game, this is an arcade-style racer whereas unlike others, you actually feel like you're going really really really fast. Not only can you also smash opposing cars off the road, you are actually encouraged to do so! Additionally, the AI is solid and fair, and you rarely feel cheated and always that you simply weren't good enough. Even fans of realistic driving games should give this game a try at least, as there is nothing else quite like it.

Finally, we got the new Multiplayer enhancements exclusive to the Xbox 360. If you ever enjoyed playing Burnout online, this is the way to go, as the menus are clear, concise and effective. You can easily pop into a game right after signing in, and it's great fun. The new "Rival" feature is complemented with a great tracking system that keeps track of almost everything you do online.

Graphics 8/10
Arguably worst than the graphics of Project Gotham 3, the graphics are still great, and one of the reasons to try the game. Unless you're really picky, you won't be disappointed.

Sounds 8/10
I'm not particularly fond of the music, but it's alright. The sounds however, are great. The cars revving up can be really exciting, and the crashes are absolutely satisfying. If you got a good audio system, this game has got some of the best audio for a 360 game so far.

Final Verdict 8/10
Perhaps it's just me, but the game just seems more smooth than ever, and even if you've played Burnout Revenge before, give this one a rental at least, and you can be sure that the polish they've done is much more than a thin coat of paint. For those who've never played a Burnout game before, this is an awesome place to start.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/03/06