Burnout 3 Impressions (Release Version)

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:47 pm

Hey, don't forget about Test Drive Le Mans for the Dreamcast. That was an excellent game.

But you're right: The TD franchise has plummeted otherwise.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:52 pm

Oh yes...I did forget TD LeMans...that game was pretty badass. In fact, I thought it was a better racer than the highly acclaimed F355. It was a favorite amongst my friends back when it came out and we had many a night where we just drank and played that game.

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:10 pm

Badgun wrote: One minor gripe so far and that is when you take someone out, the race freezes and it shows you a little TAKEDOWN sign and how many points you got and then hurls you back into the race. I find that very annoying and it somewhat throws me out of my groove. You'll know what I mean when you see it.

BG:

You can turn that off, if I'm not mistaken.

Toper

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:28 pm

First of all I have to say, PK, it's official, you were cranky that day at the mall !!!

There is TONS of drifting/powersliding to be had in this game.

So far, with about 5 races under my belt there are a few things I can safely say.

1. The game is every bit as fast as the previous versions.

2. Drifting is very well done (tap brakes then punch the gas).

3. The 'takedowns' of other cars is a great idea and helps the fun factor IMO. (yes, you can turn off the 'crash view' of the opponents take downs, but what's the fun in that???)

4. The 'Crash' mode has added good depth with the new multipliers and the addition of the 'After Touch' gimmick. The 'After Touch' does not seem to work too well in a regular race, however, it seems to really be stratigic in the 'Crash' mode.

5. The graphics are exactly where they should be at for a 3rd game of the series.

6. The new modes definitely will help replay value.

7. NO custom cotroler config. The triggers are gas and brake and the 'A' button is turbo.

8. No ability to save replays.

9. 'World Tour' appears to be quite extensive.

10. Only 3 cars are unlocked at the beginning, however, the game seems to reward you with new cars VERY frequntly in 'World Tour' so you should be able to unlock good ones fairly quickly.

I have yet to try it online as there was only one race going on and it was full. I think the game will shine even more there. I'll have to wait and see...

Post more soon...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:41 pm

Good to hear ...

Take care,
PK

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:43 pm

online is pretty cool, but it seems like you have a lot more boost than in the single player game. The few straight races that I played looks like it boiled down to who could hold down boost and keep the car under control the longest.

Also, the catch up AI is awful. In one race I got a takedown on an AI car and he was flipping around backwards as I passed him and within 5 seconds I get the "he's right on your tail" message. Yet when they wreck you, you're 17 seconds behind.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:40 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
pk500 wrote:That's why I wish Test Drive: Eve of Destruction had XBL play. Online demo derbies would be kick-ass!
While the concept is great...I can't remember the last Test Drive game that was worth the plastic that it was packaged in. They have been going downhill FAST since the good ol' PS1 days. But I do agree...that would be pretty fun as well.

Eve of Destruction is a blast. And it is made by Monster Games, makers of the Nascar Heat series. Lack of online is really holding this title back.

I will have to wait until Friday to pick up Burnout 3 but the good news is I should get it for $34.99.

Keep the impressions coming boys.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:48 am

Is that a Fry's deal Scoop?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:07 am

It's not definite but I am expecting Frys to sell it for $34.99 starting Friday. All the high profile new releases sell for that price the Friday of the week they release.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:11 am

Badgun wrote: Also, the catch up AI is awful. In one race I got a takedown on an AI car and he was flipping around backwards as I passed him and within 5 seconds I get the "he's right on your tail" message. Yet when they wreck you, you're 17 seconds behind.

I actually "kinda" welcome this.
On Burnout 2, once you started getting the fasters cars and you had the skills to lcombo(link) your turbos, you really needed to screwup to not win a race. It gave the human player a huge advantage.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:52 am

Well I only played a tiny bit more last night due to a really bad headache.

I played one online race and one online 'Party Crash'. Racing seems like it could be quite intense. Basically replace the fun, intense racing of the single player and add in other humans = success!

Party Crash was cool. Everyone does the crash intersection at the same time (but NOT together, each person is solo) and then points are totaled up. Then everyone is racnked 1 through 8 (or however many are playing) and the winners replay is shown to everyone. I don't know the different set-ups for this mode but I was in one that went a total of four rounds.

To me, the AI is exactly what it should be for a game of this type. Complete white knuckle racing.

I am anxious to check out the other online modes as well as race with some DSP crew. Perhaps tonight?

Oh, did I mention this games was FAST!?!?!? And that is just with the initial 3 cars that are super slow rated. I can only imagine wht the better cars are like...

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:25 am

Spooky:
Mix and I played some 1 on 1 racing, and some team crush last night. Team Crush is pretty darn cool. You really have to plot out strategy, as both of you have to get the same multipliers in order for them to count, but only one of you has to hit a heartbreaker for it to do its damage. Man, I'm loving this game. We need to try to get a 6 player Road Rage going. Who else has or is getting this game? I can host, I'm pretty sure. Look in US East, game is called tealboy3, and the password is dspg. If you're on tonight, look me up...

marino · Post by **marino** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:29 am

Was playing this for 4 hours last night on live and what fun it was.I saw you playing last night tealboy and spooky but couldn't join your games for some reason.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:31 am

We played some Road Rage last night....good times. Three dudes on one team are trying to get to the finish while the other three guys are trying to take them out. Damn what a good time.

It makes it even better cuz the chase team gets unlimited turbo and the running team has to earn theirs. Brilliant.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:35 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:We played some Road Rage last night....good times. Three dudes on one team are trying to get to the finish while the other three guys are trying to take them out. Damn what a good time.

It makes it even better cuz the chase team gets unlimited turbo and the running team has to earn theirs. Brilliant.

That sounds awesome! What is the max. per team in that mode, 3 or 4?

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:53 am

Spooky:
3 per team. I think 6 max on all game modes except party crash and team crush, which holds 8, I believe.

marino: anytime I'm on, the password is dspg(they require 4 letter passwords) Just in case I don't have it, what's your gamertag. I'll send you an invite if I see you...

marino · Post by **marino** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:12 am

tealboy03 wrote:Spooky:
3 per team. I think 6 max on all game modes except party crash and team crush, which holds 8, I believe.

marino: anytime I'm on, the password is dspg(they require 4 letter passwords) Just in case I don't have it, what's your gamertag. I'll send you an invite if I see you...

Osmarino13

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:17 am

Yeah I believe it's only 6. It was damn fun 3 on 3 though. They tell you the distance from the finish and the distance to the other players so you don't get too frustrated looking for the other people...you know where they are and how far they have left. Plus, only one guy on the 'running' team needs to finish for the team to win...the other guys, if they get eliminated, spend their time running interference for the guy who's still in the game. There is a little strategy involved.

It's a damn good time.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:23 am

Are all the tracks availble online or does the host have to have them 'unlocked'?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:29 am

Spooky wrote:Are all the tracks availble online or does the host have to have them 'unlocked'?

The host has to have them unlocked. Therein lies the problem in the first few nights...very few tracks/cars available. Also, everyone involved has to unlock cars to be able to use them for the most part. That could be a bad thing, but I'm sure there will be some master unlock code here in the near future that will allow everyone to have every car.

All I can say is if the 'better' cars are faster than the ones you start with...I'm screwed. I'm running into EVERYTHING as it is.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:54 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Spooky wrote:Are all the tracks availble online or does the host have to have them 'unlocked'?
The host has to have them unlocked. Therein lies the problem in the first few nights...very few tracks/cars available. Also, everyone involved has to unlock cars to be able to use them for the most part. That could be a bad thing, but I'm sure there will be some master unlock code here in the near future that will allow everyone to have every car.

All I can say is if the 'better' cars are faster than the ones you start with...I'm screwed. I'm running into EVERYTHING as it is.

Thanks DB.

Yeah, the 'unlocking' trend in games is interesting. I am not sure I really like it. At least give me the option of trying to earn everything if I want more replay value, or just having it all to begin with. Although there are certain games that keep me coming back for more to unlock stuff, especially fun arcade types. So far, it appears that things are unlcoked pretty rapidly in BO3 so I should be okay.

So what do you guys think about the longevity of this game? Does it have wheels? So far, I see it as the appropriate upgrade for the series, but could possibly see it taking a decent bit longer than the others of the series to get a bit old. Don't get me wrong, I am TOTALLY glad I bought it and am counting on getting my money's worth, I am just curious and how you guys feel...

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:05 pm

Spooky:
With the online component, I can see this one lasting a while. Maybe not with the frequency of RS:BA or the longevity of GR:IT, but to have it around when you feel like farting around and having fun, it should last. There's alot of laughing going on in full matches. Not because it's funny, but because people are enjoying themselves. That's the mark of a really good game.
BTW, Mix and I were talking last night about how this would be a perfect game for PK to get in on when he's had a few too many. The curse words would be flying...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:09 pm

Good points Teal.

If I am not mistaken, you can accumulate points online and unlock cars that way too right?

I think I did last night!?!?!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:12 pm

Spooky wrote:Good points Teal.

If I am not mistaken, you can accumulate points online and unlock cars that way too right?

I think I did last night!?!?!

Correct...you can earn points and whatnot to unlock stuff online. I was really happy to see that. So basically you can use the online component to pick up points to earn cars and tracks. Nothing wrong with that at all!

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:17 pm

The unlocking isn't a trend. It makes sure the game can't be just returned or rented because it takes longer than a week to unlock the stuff.

For people who only want to play online however, not having unlocked certain cars, weapons, etc. put them at a disadvantage.

But they aim these games mostly at singleplayer gamers, who have to feel they are working towards some goal. Unlocking things little by little gives games the illusion of depth, replayability, etc.

If you could get the feel for the game by sampling all the cars, levels or features within the time period of a game rental, it would make it harder to get people to pay $50 for the games.