Burnout 2: Point of Impact
Score: 90% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Acclaim Developer: Criterion Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: Burnout, originally an arcade game racer, had one feature that separated it from the rest of the racing genre -- it was not afraid of crashing. In fact, it featured perhaps the most indisputably outlandish and powerful crashes ever seen in a game. Nevertheless, the title was still a mediocre race title. But that single aspect of massive domino effect crashes kept Burnout in the minds of racing fans. With Burnout 2: Point of Impact, improvements have been put into every aspect of the racing title with significant improvements to graphics and gameplay, but most notably on the memorable crashing mechanism. Visually, Burnout 2 incorporates some of the most detailed vehicles and atmospheres to date. Reflections seem to glare off of bus windows with unprecedented realism. Night courses, featuring dynamically lit streets and the eye blinding lights of oncoming traffic, are also very well received. The daytime scenes, though slightly pixilated, also present a large amount of atmospheres and surroundings. Ranging from lamp posts to garbage bins to that inner city deli, the amount of urbanization and realistic feeling achieved in Burnout 2 is remarkable. Cars are Burnout 2's true line of success. Without true-to-life vehicles there would be no way to succeed in making such amazing crashes. Tires rolling off the streets, axles sticking out of their respective vehicles and massive dents and jams in vehicles are just some of eye candy seen during races and through crashing. However, the cars are generic vehicles without any real defining qualities of real vehicles. This, however is not an incredible drawback, as the faux modeled cars react, physically and visually as well as one would expect and in some cases, help to remind you that what you're doing is not real. The sound effects are quite good. Tires screeching and crumpling metal, as well as other effects expected in a car wreck are captured brilliantly. However, the music is mediocre. Music seems to take a backseat to everything else in this game, rearing its ugly head in techno hybrids and horrid rock riffs. Thankfully, the lack of emphasis on music is taken care of by everything else in this title.
Gameplay: Burnout's claim to fame was its strangely unique crashing system. Sure, there was a typical race occurring, but players tended to get the most out of this title by watching themselves get banged up and toppled through continuous attempts at destruction and 'close calls'. The tradition continues, religiously, with Burnout 2: Point of Impact's compilation of nail-biting gameplay and racing modes. Two modes, Race mode and Crash mode, are available to players. An option for multiple players is also allowed for both modes. Race mode splits the screens and Crash mode has each player take turns. The multi-player objectives are basically identical to the single player objectives, except with the added bonus of an additional opponent. Race mode, the default mode, standard in every racing game is a ladder system that takes you through various tracks and scenarios in a specific order. This mode, however, is not as default as one would expect. Where most racers pit the player against a certain set of opponents and instruct the player to loop through the courses in a certain amount of time repeatedly, Burnout 2 includes varying styles of races in its repertoire. Starting with a standard four person race, pitting you and your opponents over a series of preselected tracks, each following some basic theme, the first style is a typical winner-takes-all race. Attempting to avoid crashing while racing amidst full traffic can be quite hair raising. Finishing higher after the series of races will unlock the next set of races. Head-to-head races put you against only one other vehicle in a one on one race to finish first. Hot Pursuit races let you do the most damage by placing you in a police car trying to cause enough damage to an enemy vehicle to stop it. These races can unlock more courses or even the car that you were in pursuit of. By introducing such aspects to the game, it adds a nice change in the games flow and keeps the monotony of standard arcade racing to a minimum. Crash mode puts Burnout 2's signature feature in the spotlight. As you travel briskly down a strip of road, your only priority is to cause as much damage as possible. As soon as your car hits another, the game moves into a slow motion, bullet-time like presentation, alternating camera angles between your car and the chain of events that follows from the damage you caused. Assuming you've hit a vehicle at just the right moment, you may trigger a chain of events that causes multiple crashes, diversions, and sequences. Some cars attempt to avoid collisions, often causing a collision of there own. Each car that touches another car or hits something as a result of your crash racks up the damages which makes for some outrageous, movie-like crash sequences.
Difficulty: As players progress through the various match-ups and races, the levels tend to become more complex, and rivals gain better control and speed from their vehicles. Nevertheless, if you have unlocked various vehicles it should be possible to equal the wits of the AI opponents.
Game Mechanics: Driving in Burnout 2: Point of Impact is not as simple as in traditional racers. Using a system known as a 'Burnout' system, driving on the edge is expected and rewarded by filling your turbo meter, which boosts your speeds temporarily. Drifting, getting air, closely passing cars, pedestrians or opponents, and driving in the wrong way of traffic increase the turbo meter. These responsibilities seem easy to accomplish at first glance, but quickly take a back seat upon keeping track of dodging other traffic and winning the race. This interesting aspect incorporates an added thrill to the game's requirements and attention. Aside from keeping track of your Burnout meter, most aspects of Burnout 2 come off without causing more trouble than other racing games. Adrenaline runs high on this title, and keeping up with the speed of the game may be the only thing that gets in the way of driving these cars. All the car styles (compact, truck, hot rod, and others) have the same control layout. Some vehicles, however, run smoother in different settings. Burnout 2 has all the qualities of a top notch racing game, and allows for the imagination of crazed road rage to be taken out safely in the confines of your own home.
-==Boy, GameVortex Communications AKA Kyle Prestenback
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