Burnout Revenge - Review
Added March 15th, 2006 by Kisan Parikh
Introduction:
Burnout Revenge, the latest racing title for the Xbox 360, is the port of the highly entertaining Xbox title. The game is essentially the same, but it does include a few more features. Of course, the Xbox 360 version takes advantage of the upgraded hardware and also includes a few more online features. However, are these changes enough to make you shell out $60? Let’s find out.
Gameplay:
Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360 plays exactly as its Xbox counterpart. The same fast-paced, arcade-styled gameplay is present, and the game-modes are generally untouched. World Tour, the main single player mode of play, remains the same as before. The object of World Tour is to advance through the rankings by successfully completing events. Each race allows you to earn up to five stars that are used to help you advance Revenge Rankings. Once you acquire enough stars, you advance. In this manner you are able to unlock different tracks and cars. All of the previous modes of play make their return on the Xbox 360 mode. Your game modes include: Traffic Attack, Road Rage, Eliminator, Grand Prix, Burning Lap, and Crash.
Burnout Revenge, the latest racing title for the Xbox 360, is the port of the highly entertaining Xbox title. The game is essentially the same, but it does include a few more features. Of course, the Xbox 360 version takes advantage of the upgraded hardware and also includes a few more online features. However, are these changes enough to make you shell out $60? Let’s find out.
Gameplay:
Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360 plays exactly as its Xbox counterpart. The same fast-paced, arcade-styled gameplay is present, and the game-modes are generally untouched. World Tour, the main single player mode of play, remains the same as before. The object of World Tour is to advance through the rankings by successfully completing events. Each race allows you to earn up to five stars that are used to help you advance Revenge Rankings. Once you acquire enough stars, you advance. In this manner you are able to unlock different tracks and cars. All of the previous modes of play make their return on the Xbox 360 mode. Your game modes include: Traffic Attack, Road Rage, Eliminator, Grand Prix, Burning Lap, and Crash.
Traffic Attack was the new mode featured in the Xbox game. You are forced to ‘check’ as many other cars as possible. Basically, any car in Burnout Revenge, except for oncoming and oversized vehicles, is at your mercy. You are able ram them out of your way and even into other racers. Crash makes its return, except the Xbox 360 version has tweaked this mode just a bit. Now, instead of having to earn a perfect start, you are given one automatically. This doesn’t really make much of a difference, so it’s safe to say that the mode is basically untouched.
So what is new in the Xbox 360 version? Both of the new features in Burnout Revenge are seen in the Xbox Live aspect of the game. In Burnout Revenge, the entire ‘revenge’ aspect of the game was limited to the singleplayer races. After being taken out by an AI car, you were told that this car was your rival. You were rewarded with extra boost to help you win the race. Now, this revenge system has been taken online. After being taken out by another racer, you are shown that they are your rival. They are clearly labeled as you race, and taking them out is very rewarding. Besides the nice feeling of redemption, the game gives you extra turbo and Gamer Score points.
At the start of every race, you are shown who your rivals are. The game keeps track of how many takeouts they have had in a row against you. Also, you are shown racers who will be seeking revenge on you. The entire Xbox Live revenge system is pretty fun, because it makes takedowns a bit more personal. It’s always great to watch a rival slam into a wall.
The other new online feature offered in the Xbox 360 version is the Save and Load system. After every World Tour event, you are shown a replay, just as before. Now, you can record a 30-second clip of the action and save it to your hard drive. Additionally, you are able to upload up to three clips onto EA’s servers. You can make the clip available to friends and even recommend clips to others. EA keeps a list of the top 20 clips, and making the list will score you achievement points.
Burnout Revenge’s gameplay remains almost identical to the Xbox version’s. While there are a few more features this time around, there really isn’t enough to re-interest those who have already played the Xbox version. Don’t get me wrong, the gameplay is as fun as ever, but we’ve already seen it before.
Graphics:
This is, obviously, the aspect of the game that was improved the most. Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360 is much more detailed than the Xbox version, but it isn’t quite as good as other titles such as Project Gotham Racing 3. The best part of the upgraded new visuals is that cars splinter into even more pieces during crashes. This can be seen in Crash Mode, where bits of car and debris fly everywhere. You really get a good sense of the amount of destruction this time around.
So what is new in the Xbox 360 version? Both of the new features in Burnout Revenge are seen in the Xbox Live aspect of the game. In Burnout Revenge, the entire ‘revenge’ aspect of the game was limited to the singleplayer races. After being taken out by an AI car, you were told that this car was your rival. You were rewarded with extra boost to help you win the race. Now, this revenge system has been taken online. After being taken out by another racer, you are shown that they are your rival. They are clearly labeled as you race, and taking them out is very rewarding. Besides the nice feeling of redemption, the game gives you extra turbo and Gamer Score points.
At the start of every race, you are shown who your rivals are. The game keeps track of how many takeouts they have had in a row against you. Also, you are shown racers who will be seeking revenge on you. The entire Xbox Live revenge system is pretty fun, because it makes takedowns a bit more personal. It’s always great to watch a rival slam into a wall.
The other new online feature offered in the Xbox 360 version is the Save and Load system. After every World Tour event, you are shown a replay, just as before. Now, you can record a 30-second clip of the action and save it to your hard drive. Additionally, you are able to upload up to three clips onto EA’s servers. You can make the clip available to friends and even recommend clips to others. EA keeps a list of the top 20 clips, and making the list will score you achievement points.
Burnout Revenge’s gameplay remains almost identical to the Xbox version’s. While there are a few more features this time around, there really isn’t enough to re-interest those who have already played the Xbox version. Don’t get me wrong, the gameplay is as fun as ever, but we’ve already seen it before.
Graphics:
This is, obviously, the aspect of the game that was improved the most. Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360 is much more detailed than the Xbox version, but it isn’t quite as good as other titles such as Project Gotham Racing 3. The best part of the upgraded new visuals is that cars splinter into even more pieces during crashes. This can be seen in Crash Mode, where bits of car and debris fly everywhere. You really get a good sense of the amount of destruction this time around.
The sense of speed provided by the Xbox title was good, but the effect of speed in this game is even better. As you fly around turns and apply boost through the straightaways, you get the great illusion of moving faster than 200 miles per hour. High-definition TV owners will really see the most change, as the title has been optimized for HDTVs.
Audio:
The sound in this version of Burnout Revenge is great. All of the revs, screeches, and crashes are not necessarily realistic, but they add to the arcade gameplay. Explosions are a definite highlight, and these sound effects really add to the experience. The soundtrack from the Xbox version makes a return appearance. The tracks are pretty solid, and of course, you can always switch to custom soundtracks if you like your own music better.
Controls:
The controls are the same as in the Xbox version. The mechanics are easy to learn, and you always feel in direct command over your vehicle. The Aftertouch feature works just as well as in the Xbox version. After your car crashes, you are able to control its movements for a short time afterwards with the thumbstick. This is great for moving in the way of other racers who are trying to pass. Everything seems to work just as well as before in terms of controls.
Replay:
The amount of replay you will receive from the Xbox 360 version of Burnout Revenge depends entirely on if you have played the title on the Xbox. Those that have not will definitely enjoy going through the World Tour mode and then taking the game online. For those who have already beat World tour, the Xbox Live mode would be the most-played mode. If you are tired of Burnout Revenge for the Xbox, you really want to avoid this title, because the online rival system and replay clips won’t be able to keep you entertained. I think that gamers who haven’t experienced Burnout Revenge (or haven’t played it much) will definitely get a lot of replay value out of this title, but others will receive little to none.
Audio:
The sound in this version of Burnout Revenge is great. All of the revs, screeches, and crashes are not necessarily realistic, but they add to the arcade gameplay. Explosions are a definite highlight, and these sound effects really add to the experience. The soundtrack from the Xbox version makes a return appearance. The tracks are pretty solid, and of course, you can always switch to custom soundtracks if you like your own music better.
Controls:
The controls are the same as in the Xbox version. The mechanics are easy to learn, and you always feel in direct command over your vehicle. The Aftertouch feature works just as well as in the Xbox version. After your car crashes, you are able to control its movements for a short time afterwards with the thumbstick. This is great for moving in the way of other racers who are trying to pass. Everything seems to work just as well as before in terms of controls.
Replay:
The amount of replay you will receive from the Xbox 360 version of Burnout Revenge depends entirely on if you have played the title on the Xbox. Those that have not will definitely enjoy going through the World Tour mode and then taking the game online. For those who have already beat World tour, the Xbox Live mode would be the most-played mode. If you are tired of Burnout Revenge for the Xbox, you really want to avoid this title, because the online rival system and replay clips won’t be able to keep you entertained. I think that gamers who haven’t experienced Burnout Revenge (or haven’t played it much) will definitely get a lot of replay value out of this title, but others will receive little to none.
Summary:
This title is almost exactly the same as its Xbox counterpart. This version is just as fun and exciting as before, but it isn’t an incredible leap forward. It is slightly better due to the enhanced visuals and new features, but that isn’t enough for those who have already played the game. I’d recommend this title to those who have never played the Xbox version or have little experience with it. Others would find the game to be too much of the same and a waste of $60.
This title is almost exactly the same as its Xbox counterpart. This version is just as fun and exciting as before, but it isn’t an incredible leap forward. It is slightly better due to the enhanced visuals and new features, but that isn’t enough for those who have already played the game. I’d recommend this title to those who have never played the Xbox version or have little experience with it. Others would find the game to be too much of the same and a waste of $60.
