

Other than the great racing opportunities, there are billboards to bash, shortcuts to be found, and stunt combos to be linked. That scope of content and arcade feel are accentuated by Tony Hawk-like checkpoints and goals. I, on the other hand, was enthralled by the scope of content and amazing arcade gameplay. Some racing aficionados that are sticklers for realism may want to wait for the next Grand Turismo. That is an amazing sense of freedom that makes Burnout: Paradise feel more like a virtual world and less like a racing game.

I literally cruised around the various locales in the city and its surroundings for hours without ever worrying about some cruel developer's timetable of fun. I raced my vehicles, pulled off Stunt Runs, and had a little Showtime wherever and whenever I wanted. The ability to move around throughout the entirety of the city from the moment you pop in the disk brings the gamer into the experience like never before.

Paradise City is overflowing with nooks and crannies for the gamer to explore, much like the world of GTA: San Andreas. The shift to an open world was the right move for this series. The incorporation of elements from familiar and wildly successful franchises into the Burnout series was pulled off flawlessly by developer Criterion. The steady stream of stunts, races, secrets, and mini-games that come so naturally makes one feel as if their ride could grind into a sack-tap at any moment. The decision to open up the gorgeous world of Paradise City keeps the game fun and under the player's control. That's right! The classic arcade racer of the previous console generation has gotten a facelift that is sure to please fans of the series as well as win over newcomers. Burnout: Paradise plays like a mix between Burnouts of old, Grand Theft Auto, and Tony Hawk.
