Gaming Target - Xbox: Burnout 2: Point of Impact

Written by Leigh Culpin on February 11, 2003

First Impressions: Where traffic accidents are a good thing! Well, sort ofЕ

Acclaim's entry into the racing genre has a sequel coming, one that's already out for PS2 owners Ц Burnout 2: Point of Impact. However, categorizing it with the racing genre isn't necessarily accurate Ц if there was such a thing as extreme racing, this would undoubtedly be it. The game even has a mode simply entitled УcrashФ: something lacking in the original, though the potential was very clearly there, since Burnout featured some of the most impressive crash mechanics seen on any console. Couple this with exhilaratingly heavy traffic, racing opponents, an insane sense of speed and some gorgeous graphics, and you've got yourself a winner.

Burnout 2's central theme is almost identical to that of the first in the series Ц you're a street racer. There's no story to speak of, no weak excuse as to why you're doing what you are. It's an arcade game at heart, and it shows. It also stands as one of the best arcade games on the X-Box, and the sequel looks to be ready to top that standard. As in the first, the bulk of the gameplay, found in the Championship mode, in the second installment will expose you to a variety of race types, such your basic street races against a number of opponents and one-on-one's that earn you new cars. Nothing to out of the ordinary to be fair, but what sells the series is what you'll find once you actually start your races Ц as in most arcade racing games, you'll have a boost meter to fill which will give you a significant advantage over the competition (accompanied by a really cool special effect). However, how you fill this meter is a bit of a change Ц the more recklessly you drive, the faster it gets filled, so driving on the wrong side of the road, close calls and playing chicken with semi's all bring you that much closer to your much needed boost, which gives you easily one of the best senses of speed to be found in a racing game yet.

The accompanying Crash mode is much like it sounds Ц create the worst possible accidents for cash: the worse the accident, the more money you get. Obviously a simple concept, but the mode's practically a sure-fire winner, since the original's crashes were so extraordinary you'd find yourself racing in heavy traffic just to see the accidents you could cause. Gotham may be challenging and GT3 may be extreme in depth, but good luck finding a more adrenaline pumping racing game on any console. This mode alone will be a strong selling point (to the horror of senators everywhere) and accompanied with the sheer number of unlockables sure to be available in the Championship mode, this game will keep you coming back for more for quite some time.

Of course one can't forget the multiplayer Ц if for some strange reason the Crash and Championship modes aren't enough for you, you can always get suicidal with a friend (virtually speaking, that is). Heavy traffic races can make for better replays than what is found in hockey or football at times, and you'll never get tired of them to boot. While it's still unclear as to whether or not Live support will be present, we can only hope, and if not there it still should be enough to keep the majority of gamers happy for quite some time.

Also new to the series is the Pursuit mode Ц you're placed in a police car and have the privilege of mercilessly smashing into suspect cars until they give up or beat you to the finish line. While not nearly as anticipated as the Crash mode, this will certainly add a nice twist on the already promising gameplay, and presents a nice sense of irony in that as a cop you're awarded speed boosts for driving dangerouslyЕ