In early 2008 Criterion Games released the seventh instalment in the Burnout series. Now, midway through 2009, they are still releasing brand new content, aimed at extending the Paradise experience. To this date, there have been 8 DLC packs released. This blog will be focussing on the latest addition to the game: Big Surf Island.
Let's start with Burnout Paradise itself. This is one of my most favourite racing games ever. The career mode has you doing races, stunt runs and traditional road rage events, with each win/success edging you closer towards your Burnout License. You'll work your way up through the ranks, to eventually earn yourself the Burnout Elite License. In this sense, it's much like any other racing game that you've played. However, Burnout Paradise really comes into it's own with online play.
Without an Xbox Live/PSN connection, Burnout Paradise is a very average game, which I probably wouldn't recommend. If you have either of these connections, then I would definitely recommend that you purchase this game. There are hundreds of online challenges, designed to get you working in groups of 2-8. The online challenges are what makes this game so unique. They could be anything from gathering your team of drivers at the top of a car park, to each doing 10 barrel rolls over a specific jump. You can also race against other people, if the challenges aren't your thing.
Anyway, onto Big Surf Island. This DLC will add a new area onto the current map. Over a long bridge, you will arrive on Big Surf Island. The area is not the biggest, and disappointed me a bit. Despite costing 1000 Microsoft Points, the island adds just 10 new online challenges (for me, the most important thing). It does, however add more smashes, billboards and 15 mega jumps for you to find and complete. Another issue I had with the island was the lack of creativity in deciding on the new Xbox 360 achievements. While I'm sure that everyone loves some easy gamerscore, Big Surf Island more or less gave them away. 110G could be achieved, with the achievements taking about 10 minutes to complete all of them. There was also not an achievement to 100% the island, which disappointed me. Achievements are meant to be something you aspire to get, and without a 100% achievement, I had little motivation (other than a few new cars) to complete this section of the DLC.
Despite this, Big Surf Island was a nice addition to the Burnout Paradise world. Despite the latest piece of content being slightly disappointing, I'm definitely hoping that Criterion continue to add new content to this wonderful game, and I'll certainly be looking forward to testing it out.
Let's start with Burnout Paradise itself. This is one of my most favourite racing games ever. The career mode has you doing races, stunt runs and traditional road rage events, with each win/success edging you closer towards your Burnout License. You'll work your way up through the ranks, to eventually earn yourself the Burnout Elite License. In this sense, it's much like any other racing game that you've played. However, Burnout Paradise really comes into it's own with online play.
Without an Xbox Live/PSN connection, Burnout Paradise is a very average game, which I probably wouldn't recommend. If you have either of these connections, then I would definitely recommend that you purchase this game. There are hundreds of online challenges, designed to get you working in groups of 2-8. The online challenges are what makes this game so unique. They could be anything from gathering your team of drivers at the top of a car park, to each doing 10 barrel rolls over a specific jump. You can also race against other people, if the challenges aren't your thing.
Anyway, onto Big Surf Island. This DLC will add a new area onto the current map. Over a long bridge, you will arrive on Big Surf Island. The area is not the biggest, and disappointed me a bit. Despite costing 1000 Microsoft Points, the island adds just 10 new online challenges (for me, the most important thing). It does, however add more smashes, billboards and 15 mega jumps for you to find and complete. Another issue I had with the island was the lack of creativity in deciding on the new Xbox 360 achievements. While I'm sure that everyone loves some easy gamerscore, Big Surf Island more or less gave them away. 110G could be achieved, with the achievements taking about 10 minutes to complete all of them. There was also not an achievement to 100% the island, which disappointed me. Achievements are meant to be something you aspire to get, and without a 100% achievement, I had little motivation (other than a few new cars) to complete this section of the DLC.
Despite this, Big Surf Island was a nice addition to the Burnout Paradise world. Despite the latest piece of content being slightly disappointing, I'm definitely hoping that Criterion continue to add new content to this wonderful game, and I'll certainly be looking forward to testing it out.
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