Burnout 3: Takedown
Ben gets behind the wheel as EA take control of Burnout
Sequels and franchises are killing the industry, right? With so few original titles of note on the market this Christmas, some people are complaining that gaming simply isn't as exciting as it used to be. I mean, one Splinter Cell is much like the next, each EA update is more or lass identical to the last. If you believe all of that, then you might also think that if you already own Burnout 2 then there's little point in getting this third instalment. Is this you? If it is, then bow your head in shame my child, for Burnout 3 is as far from a by-the-numbers update as you can feasibly get.
You're probably aware by now that Burnout 3 is really quite special. Some have even been calling it the greatest racing game ever made. That's one hell of a claim. With the likes of Gran Turismo 3 and Project Gotham Racing 2 out there, the racing genre has plenty of AAA quality titles available. Whilst your opinion on whether Burnout 3 is the king of racing crop is somewhat dependent on whether you're an arcade or simulation fan, one thing is undoubtedly beyond question - Burnout 3 is THE most intense 4-wheel experience known to man.
As I glance down to my notepad I can't help but notice one particular thing - it's really quite empty. Is this a sign that I'm an incompetent reviewer? Perhaps, but I challenge you to play Burnout 3 and still find time to stop and make notes. Once in it's grip, this game infects you, owns you, infuses you with that "one more go" mentality with a violence that I've never before experienced with a game, outside of maybe the Master League in Pro Evolution Soccer. On paper Burnout 3 does appear to be much the same as it's predecessor and in many ways it is. But think of it like this; Marco from Big Brother is much like Vin Diesel in that they both have two arms, two legs, a head and no hair. However, one of them is a weedy tool whilst the other is a muscle-bound powerhouse. Burnout 3 is like Burnout 2 after a heavy course of steroids and LSD with the volume turned up to maximum.
The most fundamental difference is the shift of focus. Whereas before the largest rewards were to be gained from driving through oncoming traffic and generally taking risks, now the focus is firmly on taking out your fellow racers. Sure, your boost meter will slowly grow as you drift on the wrong side of the road, but take out an opposing racer and not only will your boost bar immediately max out but it will also grow in size. It's a fantastic evolution for the series that amounts to a far more significant shift in play than the simple description might suggest. Get taken out yourself and you're introduced to yet another new feature - Impact Time. Does it involve a bullet-time-esque slowdown? Yes, I'm afraid so. Stop, don't hit me! It works this time, really! Holding down the A button slows everything down and using the left analogue stick you're able to subtly direct the flight of your steaming wreckage with the aim of taking as much out as possible. Take out another driver and you'll still respawn with a rather juicy boost meter.
Takedowns themselves are handled quite superbly. Forget the rather feeble shunting employed in Burnout 2 - now we're talking proper destruction and unbelievable carnage. To begin with you'll probably have the most success simply boosting into any unfortunate sap daft enough to be hugging the wall. Watching them catapult above you as you boost off at 190mph is a real joy. After a while you'll begin to get more cunning. Maybe you'll nudge a fellow racer into one of the pillars that feature heavily on the US tracks, or perhaps guide them into the broad rear of an articulated lorry on a Far East course. Better still, why not kindly direct them into one of the trams on a European circuit? Either way, watching their superbly modelled racer shatter into a hundred pieces and fall back to the ground in a mangled wreck vaguely reminiscent of the motor you were battling with only moments before is absolutely thrilling.
Comments
Top review mate. I'm looking forward ot getting this game and playing it on Live. I wonder if the pasting I served on the rest of the Ferrago team at Gamestars was a fluke or not...
Here's hoping EA pull the finger out and sort the Live side of things. Many complaints do not a happy gamer make.
It wasn't a fluke - I really am that bad. This was proved when I lost, badly, to two consecutive groups of random eastend neds afterwards.
I look forward to my revenge!
Burnout3 wasnt a fluke but the game gets boring after a while
COOOL!!! this games looks and is awsome!! carnt wait 2 smash tose dam bots!!
Cyrax66 is a cheater! ive witnessed it myself! He also uses bad language and is very mean..Specially to noobs that play counter-strike. he shouldn't get the credit for being such a good player!!!!
Sweet
ahahaha u call me a Cheater go do urself, i know who u are ur probaly that 24 year old Virgin ahahahah dude get a Life
Hey Ben hope to see you 11th Nov ;D Live Halo2 :P
been a while M8
why does everyone talk about live, i use PS2 and its system, it better because you dont pay for hahahaha
:?}
i played this game in the Wal-Mart, and it is so awsome! Gonna get for X-mas
Burnout 3 Takedown features Stunning Graphics and
Animations and The audio is one of the best sounding
games I have ever heard of. you can have endless hours of fun playing crash mode.
bob thunk burnout 3 por este awesomeo. ourvwe!
i was playing this in some store somewhere and it was the literallty the best game of all time
i was playing this in some store somewhere and it was the literallty the best game of all time
i was playing this in some store somewhere and it was the literallty the best game of all time
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hello, i'm spamilka
I think "Burnout" shold be rated E.
i may be good a raceing games(like burnout dominator haveing the best trophie in the game)
but this one makes me think why the @#$%!did some one think of this?its the most insane susidel racing game ever!!!!!(complement)
i have played grand turismo 4 and i have class
S lisense but this one takes the cake i mean sure grand tursimo 4 has more cars but does it have crash effects?or damege to the car nope
just a bunch of fuel and tire wear.nothin more so i would give this game a 10/10 and that was just playing the demo!if you poeple comp[lain about this review you truekly do not know what the word racing means.take avvise to my racing xp i have played burn out since the begining and gt.
TO BRAD
aparently you just are not good at the game and have given up do not worry m8.
i have 7 years of xp and still hit a wall
(when i want to);)