Game Review: Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

Matthew Kato - Mclatchy -Tribune News Service

Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Style: 1 to 8-player racing (up to 8-player online)

Publisher: Electronic Arts

ESRB: E

Concept: Criterion bundles all its download content to deliver an amazing "Burnout Paradise" package.

Graphics: The game doesn't skimp on the details, no matter how fast you go. And this game is fast.

Sound: The PS3 version offers customizable soundtracks straight from your hard drive.

Playability: The bikes are crazy, but they aren't too wild or impossible to use.

Entertainment: You'll get whiplash from the game's speed and all the challenges and events this title throws your way.

Replay Value: High

The Bottom Line: 9/10

Want to play it for yourself? Find it in the Military.com Entertainment Store

Who knew there was so much more to a car? Sure, you can drive it, but this game also proves that you can have even more fun if you slide it, spin it, crash it, jump it, flip it, toss it and, of course, burn it. You can do that with the four new bikes and at night, too. "Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box" combines all the downloadable content so far from last year's hit game into one convenient package.

"The Ultimate Box's" triumph is that it draws even more attention to the game's open world structure, adding 70 Freeburn multiplayer challenges for you and your friends to conquer. A multi-stage challenge might have everyone first meet at a certain spot, and then gun it in reverse down a tricky mountain pass or complete 10 barrel-rolls as a team. These challenges codify what already makes "Burnout" a success; you simply never know what kind of crazy fun you'll come across from moment to moment. You can take on Road Rules challenges with the pressing of the d-pad, or drive down the street nailing all the billboards and shortcuts you can find. These features are in other games, but "Burnout" puts it all together (including seamless toggling between online and off) in an open world format that rewards you for constantly prowling around for the next big thrill at breakneck speeds. "Ultimate Box" also gives you a party mode where you can hit dozens of challenges by yourself or by passing the controller. Furthermore, the game turns the Marked Man, Stunt Run and Road Rage Event modes into multiplayer contests.

"The Ultimate Box" even adds a restart for events, fixing the major annoyance of "Burnout Paradise." Although this doesn't apply to the Freeburn or Road Rules challenges, it's a nice concession. Wish you could restart that chasm jump? That's all right, you know there's always another one just around the corner.

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