E3 2007 Preview
The world is
a free-roaming one, and ripe for destruction … on a vehicular level, that is.
Welcome to the next installment of the Burnout series. EA showed off Burnout
Paradise at a pre-E3 event in Los Angeles and the game looks next-gen, plays
well and delivers in the fun category.
Graphically
impressive, the game plays out sandbox style with players allowed to drive
anywhere at any time, enter races when they wish to or hook up online for more
challenges. And, of course, as you progress new vehicles can be unlocked.
Only the
free world mode was available for play, with EA keeping other modes under wraps
for the time being. In a nice twist, if you use a camera attached to either your
360 or PS3, a snapshot will capture the look on the face of a live opponent as
you beat them in an online game. Horror, disgust, anger … you may see a bevy of
expressions in this quick little snapshot of defeat. The game does not allow for
the victor’s face, though, so that look of “in your face” won’t be shared.
During the
event, a little hands-on time was available and the game played well. The
controls were tight and the handbrake hotkey really allowed for the power slides
that can make or break a racing effort.
Burnout was
fun and with the sandbox feel, the game seems to take on a new personality. Look
for it to release on the PS3 and 360 platforms in the fall.
