Burnout 3 Impressions (Release Version)

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 11:30 pm

I haven't had this much fun with a game in a long time...this is very odd.

Extremely, extremely addictive, and it's basically everything that I hate doing in any other racing game. Somehow there's some strange satisfaction in creating a huge pileup of drivers online behind me.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 11:58 pm

I've been playing this for about 4 hours and am tiring of it already. I like arcade racers, but this game isn't doing it for me. I like Nascar a little better since Nascar is like a halfsim/halfarcade game with some strategy involved, but BO3 is just senseless destruction for me (yes I know that's why they call it burnout). I'll keep playing though since I want to give the game a chance.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:38 am

Finally got a chance to play it tonight and it is aboslutely the best arcade racer I've ever played. Single player mode is deep and online play is incredible. Thanks for popping my cherry tonight Spooky, Teal, and DB. Great fun tonight. This is one of those games that will definitely have legs. Terry we were talking tonight and we really want a chance at revenge after suffering to many an ass-kickin by you in the sim games. We feel we're on even ground here. Bring it.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:16 am

Weaver2005 wrote:I've been playing this for about 4 hours and am tiring of it already. I like arcade racers, but this game isn't doing it for me. I like Nascar a little better since Nascar is like a halfsim/halfarcade game with some strategy involved, but BO3 is just senseless destruction for me (yes I know that's why they call it burnout). I'll keep playing though since I want to give the game a chance.

I can understand why this game isn't for some people, but my experience is quite the opposite. I am liking the game *more* as I play through and the cars get faster and the tracks get better. I also think there is quite a bit of strategy during the races for an arcade title. I really enjoy the offline racing aspect as much as any sim racer. The AI is brilliant in this game and keeps it fresh. I can still say that I've never lost a race that I should have won just because of catch-up AI. I was expecting to be bored with the title after a few hours, but it isn't happening so far.

I've never had this much fun with *any* racing game during the first 48 hours. It may not hold up over the long run as much as a game with a good career mode like NASCAR 2005, but I feel like the offline portion is just as interesting as most titles. I feel like I've already got my $10-15 dollars worth (net re-sale "loss"). I am addicted. I NEED those golds!!!

I wanted to take it online last night, but I fell asleep during the second half of the game. I can't wait though.

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 10:25 am

If you think the game is fast now, wait until you get to the super series cars. I am 59% done with the game and it keeps getting better and better. There is a burning lap event that puts you behind the wheel of a F1 type car. Talk about fast. This game has exceeded all of my expectations.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 11:24 am

Is there anyway to skip the Crash stages? I don't mind the actual racing but the Crash stages are somewhat disturbing for myself. Also, what camera is everyone using?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 11:50 am

Weaver2005 wrote:Is there anyway to skip the Crash stages? I don't mind the actual racing but the Crash stages are somewhat disturbing for myself. Also, what camera is everyone using?

The crash stages are by far my least favorite portion of the game and I too find them a bit disturbing. I was just happy that it was easy to get the gold on the early stages. However, I am warming to the later stages a bit because they are harder and more strategic with jumps, boost, and bonus multipliers in unique places.

I just had a great grand prix. In the second race I used aftertouch to knockout a rival. In the third race I came from way behind with skillful driving only to be knocked out of the race late by a rival. Fun fun stuff.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:16 pm

Leebo, so you weren't playing online last night?

Weird. There are obviously some issues with the online component. Because right now I see you and MixDJ1 online playing Burnout 3 (through my web browser) but I don't see you guys when I log in through Xbox Live on my Console. So bascially it's not refreshing on the screen. Spooky and Scoop were having the same thing happen to them last night. There is something funky going on.

But back to the topic at hand. This game is simply awesome. I haven't had this much fun with a game (a racer especially) since Mach Rider back on the NES. Good good times.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:26 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Leebo, so you weren't playing online last night?

Weird. There are obviously some issues with the online component. Because right now I see you and MixDJ1 online playing Burnout 3 (through my web browser) but I don't see you guys when I log in through Xbox Live on my Console. So bascially it's not refreshing on the screen. Spooky and Scoop were having the same thing happen to them last night. There is something funky going on.

You know, I noticed the same type of thing with NCAA and Madden. At least it was very common early on for people to show 'online' status in those games for like 36hrs straight. It must have something to do with the weird end-around EA does for XBL. Another artifact of the same problem, I imagine, is the inaccuracy of the friends lists as displayed when in the EA servers. That seems to have been cleared up in Madden, so hopefully it will settle down in this one, too.

Meanwhile, would you guys quit talking about how great this game is?

You're killin' me! If Fable had come out last week, it wouldn't bother me, but this week of waiting. . . oy.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:28 pm

You don't have it yet Zeppo? Are you kidding me. Go out and buy that crap NOW. That's an order. You won't be disappointed man.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 1:00 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:You don't have it yet Zeppo? Are you kidding me. Go out and buy that crap NOW. That's an order. You won't be disappointed man.

He's right Zep! I think you will love it. It is also a GREAT game to balance out the etiquette needed in the more 'sim' racing games. Wouldn't it be nice to pop in a game where one of the objectives is to slam the hell out of everybody after so many races being SO careful not to tap anyone else!?!?!?

As for the online issues, it is VERY disappointing! Not because the issues are that bad, but more because the game is so damn fun that any hiccup in the online component is a real bummer.

The online issues so far are people getting dropped right when the race is loading, friends list being quirky and the interface (typical EA). During the races though, everything is silky smooth!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 1:17 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Leebo, so you weren't playing online last night?

Weird. There are obviously some issues with the online component. Because right now I see you and MixDJ1 online playing Burnout 3 (through my web browser) but I don't see you guys when I log in through Xbox Live on my Console.

Nope. I played offline this morning, but I didn't touch online. The only thing I did was login and right back out last night sometime between 8 and 9PM.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 1:27 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:Leebo, so you weren't playing online last night?

Weird. There are obviously some issues with the online component. Because right now I see you and MixDJ1 online playing Burnout 3 (through my web browser) but I don't see you guys when I log in through Xbox Live on my Console.
Nope. I played offline this morning, but I didn't touch online. The only thing I did was login and right back out last night sometime between 8 and 9PM.

Same here. I've only played offline today. The last time I was online with it was late last night. Weird.

mixdj1

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 1:39 pm

The demo for this game did not do it justice at all. I was not too impressed with the demo but still held out hope for the final product. I'm glad I did as I can't get enough of this game. It's fun as hell when you are blistering down the road and you powerslide through a corner, narrowly escape hitting a truck, and slam on the turbo. It keeps you on the edge of your seat when you're in first place and constantly checking behind you because you know the pack is trying to take you down.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:53 pm

There was definitely something odd with the friends function last night. From the PC, I new, Leebo, Teal, Scoop, etc were playing this around midnight eastern, but when I signed on I got messages you were all offline..

I rented it, looking forward to trying it online.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:31 pm

Zeppo, I was in the same boat, but couldn't resist when I went to put my money down for Fable.

It's been about 10 hours of pure fun so far, and I hate racing games. LOL

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 7:13 pm

I love how it looks in the friends list..

ie. If I was hosting, and I called my game "JamesE" (default name), and RobVarak was in there too.. you might see something like

pk500 is playing Ghost Recon:IT
mixdj1 is playing NFL 2k5
JamesE is playing JamesE
RobVarak is playing JamesE

I'm going to change the name of all games I host to "with himself"

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:39 pm

A**holes! I picked it up this afternoon. Gotta wait till the kiddos head to bed until I can really test it out. I played it for a few minutes at EB Games so I'm psyched to see what's "under the hood".

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:40 pm

sportdan30 wrote:A**holes! I picked it up this afternoon. Gotta wait till the kiddos head to bed until I can really test it out. I played it for a few minutes at EB Games so I'm psyched to see what's "under the hood".

Man, you're easy. But it's well worth it...you won't be disappointed man, it really is a great game.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:54 am

Finally a game where you can get into a room with a bunch of sh*theads and still have fun!!!

Want to drive completely recklessly, go ahead, you'll just end up blowing yourself up. You can't even drive backwards for more than 10 feet (I tired

). It just puts up an invisible wall.

I got into some really great online single race and road rage games the last couple days. I am totally addicted. Road Rage is so damn much fun and can get pretty competative. What is nice is that the options you have for a Road Rage race really give it depth as to how hard or easy you want to make it for one team or another. You can choose how may miles the team has to go to win (actually it is laps in the menu but translates to miles in the actual race), what car class each team will use, and if the chasing team (Red Team) gets unlimited turbo or not. Playing with these options really adds depth and fun to this mode!

And the regular Single Race is just flat out, balls to the wall, crazy, arcade racing at it's best!!!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:42 pm

Of course, I haven't read the manual yet. But, is there an option for rear view mirror? I'm usually flying so damn fast that I seldom am able to look up to read what the message is saying. Also, is there a map layout showing how close the next competitor is who's in front of you?

I must profess. This game is definitely worth the $47 credit I threw down for this game. I can't imagine getting tired of this arcade racer anytime soon. In Toca, I was always finishing last, whereas in this game I actually have a chance to finish in the top three!

Online is hugely entertaining, but EA's connectivity sucks! I can't count how many times I've been kicked out of a race, or had to reboot my Xbox. I've even had the screen go black after a race and all I could hear was the other peoples voices along with the music. It stinks when you get into a fun room and then you can't continue racing with those same guys.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:46 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Of course, I haven't read the manual yet. But, is there an option for rear view mirror? I'm usually flying so damn fast that I seldom am able to look up to read what the message is saying. Also, is there a map layout showing how close the next competitor is who's in front of you?

I must profess. This game is definitely worth the $47 credit I threw down for this game. I can't imagine getting tired of this arcade racer anytime soon. In Toca, I was always finishing last, whereas in this game I actually have a chance to finish in the top three!

Online is hugely entertaining, but EA's connectivity sucks! I can't count how many times I've been kicked out of a race, or had to reboot my Xbox. I've even had the screen go black after a race and all I could hear was the other peoples voices along with the music. It stinks when you get into a fun room and then you can't continue racing with those same guys.

Rear view look is the "x' (blue) button. And, no, there is no onscreen map.

And YES, the EA online sucks pretty bad. I have had all of the same issue you describe. At least 75% of the time it works. And when it does it is awesome!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:05 pm

There will probably be a point when I get bored with the game, but please check me for a pulse when that happens. Right now every session is still an adrenaline rush. I absolutely love it.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:20 pm

I rented the game tonight, and it's fun. But I'm not blown away by the rest of you guys after 90 minutes of play.

As a veteran of both prior Burnout games, I guess I need to take a different attitude now that EA has taken over the franchise. Burnout no longer is a racing game like it was when Acclaim had the series. It's a vehicular combat game, like Road Rash, more than a racing game.

Some may like that. I don't care for it as much.

The sense of speed is damn good in this game, much better than the kiosk demo, with a catch. The catch is that the sense of speed is fantastic when you're using boost. When you're out of boost, this game is slower than either Burnout or Burnout 2 when its cars ran without boost.

But the kicker is that it's a hell of a lot easier to get boost in Burnout 3 than it was in either of the first two Burnouts because crashing, rubbing, grinding, etc., deliver a lot of boost. So boost almost feels cheap in this game compared to the first two.

The drift model also isn't as good in this game as it was in the first two Burnouts. You could have some lurid slides in Burnout and Burnout 2 just by letting off the gas in corners, even in compact cars. It seems you have to brake and then hit the gas to get a good slide in Burnout 3 in both compacts and muscle cars.

I just don't find the racing that compelling in this game because boost is so easy to attain and because the powersliding isn't that fun. And where is the traffic? I know it's early, but there was a hell of a lot more traffic to weave in and out of in the early races of Burnout and Burnout 2, which made for more ass-puckering racing.

Again, EA shifted toward car combat against rival racers instead of the high-risk racing in slower traffic vibe of the first two Burnouts, so maybe the lower amount of traffic was a conscious design decision. Either way, my kisser didn't pucker in 90 minutes of Burnout 3 the way it did within the first five minutes of playing the previous two editions of the series.

Ironically and possibly hypocritically, the Rage mode -- or whatever it's called -- is much more fun than the racing. It is quite fun to not worry about the rather dull racing and just smash the f*ck out of people. The Aftertouch is a really cool feature that I thought would be dopey, too. It's awesome to slide the car in slow-mo right into some rival or semi.

I haven't tried online racing and crashing yet.

Burnout 3 is a fun game. I don't have the same reaction to it that I initially did to NASCAR 2005, which I hated at first and now love. I think I'll stay somewhat non-plussed by Burnout 3 even though I'm keeping it for the full rental.

It's enjoyable, and I can see how people who never played much of the first two editions of the series think it's the dog's balls. I know it's early, but I just don't feel enough excitement and challenge to justify a $50 purchase price. And I know I'm in the VAST minority on that call.

Honestly, I popped in NASCAR 2005 after playing Burnout 3 for 90 minutes with little emotion either way, and I was screaming at the TV within the first 10 minutes of continuing my NASCAR career in the Craftsman Truck Series. A good videogame is like a good newspaper story -- it evokes emotion. NASCAR 2005 is doing that to me; Burnout 3 isn't -- yet. Who knows, it might!

But there's absolutely no way in God's green Earth that Burnout 3 is a "Game of the Year" candidate, as some sites have claimed. A very good arcade racing game, but no way is it a Game of the Year overall. It's not even the best racing game of the year. TOCA 2 still wears that crown, and I'll be surprised if anything knocks the crown from its head.

Take care,
PK

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:28 pm

Being a fan of the previous two Burnouts, I'm enjoying the game quite a bit...

Except for the crash mode.

I Hate, hate, hate, HATE, hate, hate hate the crash mode, and it annoys me to no end that they made it part of the main 'tour' mode of play.

Should have been kept as a 'side game.'

I'm watching loading screens far more than playing in that mode....and I'm finding myself doing the old 'pause/restart' dork-ass maneuver more than I've done in years in any kind of game.