Today marks the ten year anniversary of the release of Burnout Revenge in North America, and as a fan of the series I had to take this opportunity to give Burnout Revenge a retrospective. Criterion has created a top tier arcade racing series and titles like Burnout Paradise and Revenge could still stand out as objectively better than some of the next gen racers out there. My Burnout 3 retrospective has what needs to be said about that game; its a masterpiece of the PS2 era that perfects its gameplay around what it wants to achieve, and is worth recommending to even haters of driving games.
First off, I will admit, I did not like Burnout Revenge when compared to Burnout 3 when it was released. I felt the tone was a bit too aggressive, the addition of traffic checking brought it into cartoony aggression, and the tracks were self contained in their own bubble without a feeling of belonging in a greater world.
That said, Revenge has most definitely aged better than Burnout 3 ,and if both of these games were presented as they are now, I would pick Revenge as the game to play because of the HD graphics, sense of speed and award calibre sound design. That's not to say Burnout 3 looks bad 11 years on, but just that Revenge has a much stronger presentation to itself over its predecessor and feels made for a newer generation of consoles, as evident in the Xbox 360 version.
So, does the 360 version significantly improve the game? Is it still worth playing a decade later and with new consoles on the scene? Well, lets find out.
On the 360 version, the first thing I noticed when playing is the intro screen. It has the same female voice as the xbox/PS2 version, but she describes how the game is now all set for the next generation of racing in HD. Its a nice touch and a feast for both the eyes and ears when playing on a widescreen TV with surround sound (another thing only imagined back in 2004/5).
So next up, the differences between what was on the original xbox, and the 360 version.
The menu has a different background, of a high end supercar plastered with the 360 logo racing down the sunshine keyes, along with the traditional burnout theme as opposed to the BT remix of the doors playing to a car weaving through traffic in the older version. The menu itself is fundamentally the same, so its easy to choose whatever race type you wish.
The tracks themselves have more detail, from added barrels to new animations in the skybox like a helicopter flying overhead or a flock of birds. It still has the reddish tinge of aggression that fits the games overall theme of revenge. The sound is improved, more on that in a bit. the game also feels seamless, as transitions from the menu to a race are more fluid thanks to the soundtrack playing through instead of abruptly halting every time a new race is chosen. The loading screens are animated with crashed vehicles instead of wallpapers sliding together awkwardly, but are just as long. Importantly, it still plays and looks like a burnout game should, and is just as fast, so no complaints. A solid upgrade.
Races are in one word:INTENSE. I could not believe the sense of speed that the cars were giving, and these were supposed to be the slowest in the game?! The sound of the car shifting into top gear with boost flowing and dodging oncoming traffic is bound to be on my list of great xbox 360 moments if I ever get round to making such a list.
So, does the 360 version significantly improve the game? Is it still worth playing a decade later and with new consoles on the scene? Well, lets find out.
On the 360 version, the first thing I noticed when playing is the intro screen. It has the same female voice as the xbox/PS2 version, but she describes how the game is now all set for the next generation of racing in HD. Its a nice touch and a feast for both the eyes and ears when playing on a widescreen TV with surround sound (another thing only imagined back in 2004/5).
So next up, the differences between what was on the original xbox, and the 360 version.
The menu has a different background, of a high end supercar plastered with the 360 logo racing down the sunshine keyes, along with the traditional burnout theme as opposed to the BT remix of the doors playing to a car weaving through traffic in the older version. The menu itself is fundamentally the same, so its easy to choose whatever race type you wish.
The tracks themselves have more detail, from added barrels to new animations in the skybox like a helicopter flying overhead or a flock of birds. It still has the reddish tinge of aggression that fits the games overall theme of revenge. The sound is improved, more on that in a bit. the game also feels seamless, as transitions from the menu to a race are more fluid thanks to the soundtrack playing through instead of abruptly halting every time a new race is chosen. The loading screens are animated with crashed vehicles instead of wallpapers sliding together awkwardly, but are just as long. Importantly, it still plays and looks like a burnout game should, and is just as fast, so no complaints. A solid upgrade.
Races are in one word:INTENSE. I could not believe the sense of speed that the cars were giving, and these were supposed to be the slowest in the game?! The sound of the car shifting into top gear with boost flowing and dodging oncoming traffic is bound to be on my list of great xbox 360 moments if I ever get round to making such a list.
hyperdrive has nothing on this
The sound design has a lot to do with this. Boost sounds like a rocket igniting, and shifting to the highest gear at 209MPH really pumps you up as you dodge a seemingly endless road of oncoming traffic. Drift slams sound like tigers clawing into each other, and the sound of near misses comes with the appropriate whoosh of wind past. It truly is award winning stuff that no racer since has managed to capture.
In terms of gameplay, the same modes are available as on the old xbox version. There are the standard races through traffic, time attack, traffic attack, crash mode and road rage. My younger self hated the idea of traffic attack being the default in Revenge, something which got fixed somewhat in Burnout Paradise, but right now I see how it adds to the idea of speed being able to obliterate anything. Traffic attack as a mode is a logical progression, smashing vehicles to set a new record on the leaderboard, and ultimately is a barrel of fun. If you want a way to vent off your frustrations of the work commute home, then look no further!
Traffic Attack as a concept feeds into a larger idea, that there is a lot more traffic on all of the courses, and the mechanic can be a necessity in the urban environments. Even Paradise seems to have a lower traffic count than some of the busy junctions you have to traverse, so in that regard checking traffic works within the game rules.
The track design is absolutely superb for the mechanics. Alternate routes and big air jumps are included into tracks, with windy corners for great drifts, and opportunities to test your top speed on long straights. Leap off Eternal City's Spanish Steps and get a pair of wings.
But the base ingredients of the driving controls are just as perfect as they were in 3, and that is what makes Revenge fun as a racer. The great tracks, presentation and intensity could have been all for nought if the game was a chore to play, particularly since the game has multiple events on similar routes. Thankfully, you could not ask for a smoother arcade racer. The drifting is as responsive as ever, boost works a treat, and you can control your car even at rocket speeds through al manner of obstacles. No other racing series could craft a track like White Mountain's downhill descents, and make it as easy to control round as this game does. Beginners will love it, and Even the best burners will find a challenge when avoiding trickier obstacles at faster speeds on the later levels.
Crash Mode returns, and is a marked improvement over 3. It just feels more self contained, and events are played on dedicated junctions this time around. You get more dedicated crash vehicles, from tiny bangers to mobile diners. The junctions are certainly more creative, with Lone Peak's Doughnut ramp being a particular highlight.
The only downside to the crash mode is the relatively painful loading time. The older versions suffer from a long rewind, while the 360 version speeds up the replay, but not quite as quickly as in 3. The 360 version also removes the golf meter style startup so that's welcome. Admittedly, the loss of the powerups featured in 3 does mean you only score well from the largest crashes as opposed to being given the best route to the 4X powerup, but that is minor. It still is at heart a racing/puzzle hybrid that is still in a league of its own.
Finally there is multiplayer, and the Xbox live feature comes into its own for the series. At the time, there were fantastic team road rage races and crash tour, but the population is so low that the only players left are those willing to break track records. Split screen is present, but with a noticeably lower framerate I would recommend taking turns on the crash mode than racing.
While the game has aged better than 3, it isn't without fault. It has been ten years so don't go in expecting it to look as good as Burnout Paradise or Criterion's later Hot Pursuit. The aforementioned aggressive tone can get a bit much. This is a racer that goes out of its way to make you crash opponents, rather than staying focused on winning by dodging obstacles. The tonal shift feels mean and somewhat unnecessary, but some will like it and others will hate it. Traffic checking may be incorporated into the design, but it takes the suspension of disbelief too far (as if the 200MPH racing wasn't enough for you) and the soundtrack isn't quite as memorable as 3. B3 had a soundtrack that would only exist in 2004, while Revenge has some oddball choices that stand the test of time, but many are run of the mill Burnout.
In the end, Revenge was and still is a blast to play. Some racers have tonnes of mileage but fall flat from being a bore to drive around, but Revenge is the complete dream for an arcade racing fan. You could not ask for better controls, interesting tracks to race around or modes to enjoy. Some may bemoan the tonal shift, but it still shows newer racers how it is done in the intensity department. Any developer making a racer right now needs to learn that 60FPS high speed racing like revenge is better than any form of 30FPS dull racing in a pretty skybox. The tracks have enough alternates to make the world tour just long enough to not wear out its welcome, and multiplayer still excels, even if the population isn't around these days.
If you like racers, Revenge is a must buy. If you hate racers, Revenge is a must buy to challenge your perceptions. Its worth getting even 10 years on.
In terms of gameplay, the same modes are available as on the old xbox version. There are the standard races through traffic, time attack, traffic attack, crash mode and road rage. My younger self hated the idea of traffic attack being the default in Revenge, something which got fixed somewhat in Burnout Paradise, but right now I see how it adds to the idea of speed being able to obliterate anything. Traffic attack as a mode is a logical progression, smashing vehicles to set a new record on the leaderboard, and ultimately is a barrel of fun. If you want a way to vent off your frustrations of the work commute home, then look no further!
Traffic Attack as a concept feeds into a larger idea, that there is a lot more traffic on all of the courses, and the mechanic can be a necessity in the urban environments. Even Paradise seems to have a lower traffic count than some of the busy junctions you have to traverse, so in that regard checking traffic works within the game rules.
The track design is absolutely superb for the mechanics. Alternate routes and big air jumps are included into tracks, with windy corners for great drifts, and opportunities to test your top speed on long straights. Leap off Eternal City's Spanish Steps and get a pair of wings.
But the base ingredients of the driving controls are just as perfect as they were in 3, and that is what makes Revenge fun as a racer. The great tracks, presentation and intensity could have been all for nought if the game was a chore to play, particularly since the game has multiple events on similar routes. Thankfully, you could not ask for a smoother arcade racer. The drifting is as responsive as ever, boost works a treat, and you can control your car even at rocket speeds through al manner of obstacles. No other racing series could craft a track like White Mountain's downhill descents, and make it as easy to control round as this game does. Beginners will love it, and Even the best burners will find a challenge when avoiding trickier obstacles at faster speeds on the later levels.
Crash Mode returns, and is a marked improvement over 3. It just feels more self contained, and events are played on dedicated junctions this time around. You get more dedicated crash vehicles, from tiny bangers to mobile diners. The junctions are certainly more creative, with Lone Peak's Doughnut ramp being a particular highlight.
The only downside to the crash mode is the relatively painful loading time. The older versions suffer from a long rewind, while the 360 version speeds up the replay, but not quite as quickly as in 3. The 360 version also removes the golf meter style startup so that's welcome. Admittedly, the loss of the powerups featured in 3 does mean you only score well from the largest crashes as opposed to being given the best route to the 4X powerup, but that is minor. It still is at heart a racing/puzzle hybrid that is still in a league of its own.
You could say its a blast
Finally there is multiplayer, and the Xbox live feature comes into its own for the series. At the time, there were fantastic team road rage races and crash tour, but the population is so low that the only players left are those willing to break track records. Split screen is present, but with a noticeably lower framerate I would recommend taking turns on the crash mode than racing.
While the game has aged better than 3, it isn't without fault. It has been ten years so don't go in expecting it to look as good as Burnout Paradise or Criterion's later Hot Pursuit. The aforementioned aggressive tone can get a bit much. This is a racer that goes out of its way to make you crash opponents, rather than staying focused on winning by dodging obstacles. The tonal shift feels mean and somewhat unnecessary, but some will like it and others will hate it. Traffic checking may be incorporated into the design, but it takes the suspension of disbelief too far (as if the 200MPH racing wasn't enough for you) and the soundtrack isn't quite as memorable as 3. B3 had a soundtrack that would only exist in 2004, while Revenge has some oddball choices that stand the test of time, but many are run of the mill Burnout.
A lighter tone would have been better
In the end, Revenge was and still is a blast to play. Some racers have tonnes of mileage but fall flat from being a bore to drive around, but Revenge is the complete dream for an arcade racing fan. You could not ask for better controls, interesting tracks to race around or modes to enjoy. Some may bemoan the tonal shift, but it still shows newer racers how it is done in the intensity department. Any developer making a racer right now needs to learn that 60FPS high speed racing like revenge is better than any form of 30FPS dull racing in a pretty skybox. The tracks have enough alternates to make the world tour just long enough to not wear out its welcome, and multiplayer still excels, even if the population isn't around these days.
If you like racers, Revenge is a must buy. If you hate racers, Revenge is a must buy to challenge your perceptions. Its worth getting even 10 years on.
No comments:
Post a Comment