Burnout Paradise Remastered: The Ultimate Burnout Experience

A Glance Back: The History of Burnout Paradise

The Burnout series began in 2001 with a simple yet exhilarating concept: combining high-speed racing with spectacular crashes. The series gained traction with Burnout 2: Point of Impact and reached its zenith with Burnout 3: Takedown, which introduced the aggressive takedown mechanic. The franchise earned a reputation for prioritizing arcade-style fun over realistic physics, making it a favorite among thrill-seekers.

In 2008, Burnout Paradise took the series in a bold new direction. Gone were the closed circuits and structured events. Instead, players were dropped into the expansive world of Paradise City, an open-world racing playground where exploration was as important as competition. This design choice was groundbreaking at the time, and while it received critical acclaim, some fans of the older games felt that the departure from structured tracks diluted the experience.

Burnout Paradise Remastered picks up this legacy, attempting to bridge the gap between nostalgia and modern gaming expectations.

Burnout Paradise Remastered: What’s New?

Burnout Paradise Remastered doesn’t reinvent the wheel but rather polishes it to a gleaming shine. The game delivers a host of upgrades, both technical and content-related:

• Enhanced Graphics: The remaster boasts 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (FPS) performance, creating a visually striking experience. Improved textures, better lighting, and a wider draw distance make Paradise City look vibrant and modern.

• Complete DLC Package: All eight expansion packs from the original game are included, from Big Surf Island to Burnout Bikes. This makes the remaster the most content-rich version of the game.

• Refined Gameplay: While the core mechanics remain intact, subtle quality-of-life improvements, such as smoother controls and reduced loading times, ensure a more polished experience.

Despite these enhancements, the core gameplay remains unchanged, which can be both a strength and a limitation, depending on your expectations.

Exploring Paradise City

Paradise City is more than just a setting; it’s a character in its own right. The sprawling open world is filled with diverse environments, including urban streets, coastal highways, and mountainous backroads. The city encourages exploration, rewarding players with hidden shortcuts, stunt opportunities, and smashable billboards.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Burnout Paradise is its lack of predefined tracks. In races, players are given a start and finish line but must find their own route. This freedom makes every race unique, as players discover shortcuts or make split-second decisions to gain an edge. However, this same freedom can feel disorienting for those who prefer more structured gameplay, especially during their first few hours in the game.

Gameplay: A Symphony of Speed and Destruction

Burnout Paradise Remastered’s gameplay is a chaotic mix of speed, stunts, and destruction. Events are scattered across the city, ranging from traditional races to Road Rage events where the goal is to take down as many opponents as possible. Each event type encourages different strategies, whether it’s mastering shortcuts, perfecting stunts, or aggressively ramming opponents off the road.

The game also includes Burnout Bikes, which adds motorcycles into the mix. These vehicles offer a new level of speed and agility but come with the added challenge of vulnerability, as crashes are far more punishing on two wheels than four.

The takedown mechanic remains one of the game’s most satisfying features. Slamming rivals into walls or sending them tumbling off cliffs creates moments of sheer exhilaration. However, the spectacle of destruction can sometimes overshadow the racing element, leading to a less focused experience for those who prefer pure competition over chaos.

Multiplayer and Community

Burnout Paradise Remastered shines in its multiplayer offerings, seamlessly integrating online and offline play. The Freeburn mode allows players to explore Paradise City together, engaging in cooperative challenges or competitive races. Whether you’re teaming up for synchronized stunts or battling for dominance in a takedown competition, the multiplayer experience adds endless replayability.

That said, the multiplayer experience can vary depending on the player base. In its heyday, Paradise City was buzzing with online activity, but in 2024, finding active Freeburn sessions might take some effort. If you’re playing with friends, however, the game’s online features remain as engaging as ever.

Graphics and Sound: A Perfect Pairing

Burnout Paradise Remastered excels in its visual presentation. The upgraded textures, improved lighting, and seamless 4K performance make Paradise City a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re tearing through neon-lit streets at night or drifting along sun-drenched coastal highways, the city feels alive and immersive.

The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a mix of rock, pop, and electronic tracks. Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses sets the tone perfectly, while songs from bands like Avril Lavigne and Faith No More add variety. However, some tracks from the original game didn’t make it to the remaster due to licensing issues, which may disappoint die-hard fans.

The Pros and Cons of Burnout Paradise Remastered

Strengths

1. Timeless Gameplay: The mix of speed, stunts, and destruction remains as thrilling as ever.
2. Open-World Freedom: Paradise City is a joy to explore, with endless opportunities for discovery.
3. All DLC Included: The remaster’s comprehensive content makes it the ultimate Burnout experience.
4. Modern Enhancements: 4K resolution and smoother controls elevate the game for new hardware.

Weaknesses

1. Repetitive Gameplay: While the core mechanics are fun, the lack of variety in event types can feel monotonous over time.
2. Disorientation: The open-world design, while innovative, can be confusing for new players.
3. Outdated Elements: Some aspects of the game, such as its menus and UI, feel clunky compared to modern racing titles.

Is It Worth Playing Burnout Paradise Remastered in 2024?

This is where opinions diverge. Burnout Paradise Remastered is undoubtedly a polished and content-rich package, but whether it’s worth playing depends on what you’re looking for in a racing game.

For Arcade Racing Fans: If you love chaotic, adrenaline-pumping gameplay and don’t mind sacrificing realism for fun, Burnout Paradise Remastered is a must-play. The takedowns, stunts, and open-world exploration offer a level of excitement that few games can match.

For New Players: If you’ve never experienced Burnout Paradise before, the remaster is the perfect entry point. However, be prepared for a bit of a learning curve as you adapt to its open-ended design and occasionally overwhelming pace.

For Nostalgic Players: If you’re revisiting Paradise City after years away, the remaster’s improvements and included DLC will feel like a warm welcome back. Just don’t expect a radically different experience from the original.

For Realism Enthusiasts: If you prefer realistic racing simulators like Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo, Burnout Paradise Remastered might feel too chaotic and arcade-like. The game prioritizes fun over precision, which may not align with your tastes.

Ultimately, Burnout Paradise Remastered is a game that thrives on its identity. It doesn’t try to be everything for everyone, and that’s part of its charm. While it might not cater to every type of gamer, those who embrace its chaos will find countless hours of enjoyment.

Game Information

• Genre: Arcade Racing
• Release Year: 2018 (Remaster; Original: 2008)
• Platforms:
  • PlayStation 4
  • Xbox One
  • PC
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 5 (via backward compatibility)
  • Xbox Series X/S (via backward compatibility)
• Age Rating: PEGI 7 / ESRB E10+
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer, Online
• Developer/Publisher: Criterion Games / Electronic Arts
• Game Ratings:
  • Metacritic: 82 (PS4/Xbox One)
  • IGN: 8.0/10
  • Steam: Very Positive

Awards and Recognition

• BAFTA Nominee: Best Multiplayer Game (2009, Original Version)
• IGN Winner: Best Driving Game (2008)

Our Final Verdict

Burnout Paradise Remastered is a love letter to fans of arcade racing. It’s fast, chaotic, and unapologetically fun, but it’s not without its flaws. The lack of innovation beyond the original formula may leave some players wanting more, while others might feel overwhelmed by its open-ended structure.

Our Rating: 8.5/10
Burnout Paradise Remastered is not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a celebration of speed, destruction, and freedom, wrapped in a visually stunning package. For those who can embrace its quirks, it’s a ride well worth taking.