Sound:  
The sound in Burnout is above average at best. Screech and crash effects sound as realistic as possible. The hum of the engine changes with the speed of your car, and yes – there is a button to control your horn. The music is borderline average. It does not add to the intensity of Burnout, which is a shame because some high tempo, Daft Punk-like music would have definitely made the game that much more exciting. All in all, the sound isn’t bad, but could have been much better.

Gameplay:  
Burnout does not offer a lot of gameplay modes, but what is available is still enjoyable. It is very difficult to make an original racing game, but Burnout gets the job done. This game is a splendid mixture of arcade racer and driving simulator. It’s you versus four opponents in crowded streets, stretching highways, and open roads. Not only do you need to watch out for tight corners, but traffic as well. The traffic AI is amazing – cars drive the speed limit and obey traffic signals. If you go into oncoming traffic, some drivers freak out and swerve into the same direction that you do, causing quite a wreck.

In Burnout, you are rewarded for driving recklessly – but are also punished for making the wrong decisions. At the bottom of your screen is a meter, which fills up as you drive irresponsibly, and at the same time, avoid accidents. When the bar fills up completely, it starts to flash red. You can then execute a burnout (hence the name), and your speed greatly increases. Every time you crash, however, your burnout meter empties. You fill your burnout meter by executing powerslides, near misses, and spending time in oncoming traffic. Successfully combining any of the three fills your meter up even faster.

The opponent AI is as realistic as I have seen in any racing game. These cars do not follow a preset path – they behave just like any human opponent. You can run them off the road and into other vehicles or walls, but they can always swerve or brake at the last minute – which could cause some major damage to your vehicle. Shame on you anyway for trying to cheat.

Here’s the breakdown of gameplay modes:

Championship: Just like any racing Championship mode, choose your vehicle and race in a variety of tracks to become the best

Single Race: Pick a level you have already completed and practice your racing skills against the computer-controlled opponents

Head to Head: Multiplayer modes that will be explained later

Time Attack: Race against the clock to achieve the best lap record.

Special: Two original gameplay modes that keep the replay value going strong

The Championship mode is pretty much cut-and-dry. Choose your car and race against four opponents. If you finish the race before time is up, and in a predetermined position or higher, you go on to the next track. If you cannot complete a track in the time allotted, or finish below the required position, you can retry the course – at the cost of one credit. You have three credits per championship. Lose them all, and you’re forced to start over.

Single Race is also just like any other racing game’s single race mode. Race against the opponents and try to finish in first place. If you don’t finish, there are no consequences. This is most beneficial when trying to get familiar with the layout of a specific course.

Time Attack is similar to Single Race, sans the computer-controlled opponents. Pick a car and a level and race to earn the best time. If you choose to replay the same level after you finish it, you can race against your “ghost” – a semi-transparent representation of your performance on the previous race. It is unfortunate that Criterion did not include the option to save your “ghost.” That would have been another little bonus that would have greatly added to the replay value of Burnout.

The Special modes are truly Burnout’s best. In a very interesting fashion, Face Off mode offers players the chance to earn extra cars – if they can beat them in a race. This mode is unlocked by completing the first Championship mode. If you can beat the hidden car in a race, you unlock as a playable vehicle. This is an excellent way to earn the hidden cars, as opposed to unlocking them after winning a few races.

Survival mode is for the best of the best. Just like any real street race, get into one major accident and it’s game over. This is a fun mode – and extremely challenging. If you can make it through the entire course without crashing once, and earn a reputable position, then I tip my hat to you.

Crash Replay is also enjoyable, but should have offered more. During your race, all your best crashes are recorded, and are available in the Crash Replay mode for viewing and saving. You can watch these crashes after finishing your race, and can change the camera angle and replay speed to get a better view of the accident. Crash Replay is fun to watch, but only for a while. The replay options are pretty much limited to speed and camera angles. I would have personally preferred a replay mode similar to that seen in Driver, but I can’t complain about what is given.

The big problem with this game has to do with the crashes. When you do get into an accident, you are “treated” to two or three short replays of your crash, each from a different angle. This is interesting at first, but after a while it does get somewhat monotonous. To make matters worse, these auto replays cannot be turned off. To make matters even worse, the timer still counts down during the replays. So if you have 3 seconds left, are nearing a checkpoint, and get into an accident, the game will be over when you respawn. This is very annoying, especially when the race starts to get intense. However, it does not make Burnout impossible to play. Also, when playing Championship mode, you need to complete every race in one sitting – there is no saving and coming back later.

Control:
Perfect. That’s the only way to explain the control in Burnout. The control is tight and responsive, which is extremely important. A game like Burnout is dependent on tight turns and last-minute choices. Tight control is imperative to races in Burnout, and Criterion could not have done a better job with the controls.

There are two preset control schemes – one uses the A button to accelerate; the other uses the R button. It would have been nice to have a fully customizable control scheme, but I am having no problems with the two that are in the game.

Multiplayer:
Multiplayer, or 2-player Head to Head mode, is all that makes up multiplayer in Burnout. In Head to Head, you and a friend race against the computer and each other with the same rules as in the regular modes. You can turn on Survival mode in multiplayer, making the avoidance of crashes even more important. The game does slow down during the 2-player mode, but just a hair – nothing spectacular. More modes would have been appreciated, though, as would a 4-player option.

OVERALL:
Burnout is one of the better racers out there. Driving 90+ mph in everyday traffic conditions has never been this much fun. The graphics are awesome, the gameplay modes are fun and challenging, and the originality of the game make it a must-own for die-hard racing fans. There isn’t much to unlock in Burnout, but because it is so demanding, you will have earned every car and track you get. Those who are just looking for a little arcade racing action may want to give this game a rent, though.

 

The Lowdown on  Burnout Aesthetics: Awesome Control: Awesome Gameplay: Average Multiplayer: Above Average Sound: Average Innovation: 5/6 Lasting Appeal: 5/6 Overall: Very Good! "A Must-Buy"