Burnout Paradise: The Island

[modeps]

http://evavhost.com/i/news/paradise.jpg

This island was talked about back when Paradise first came out, but now we've got more details thanks to the latest update on Criterion's blog (http://www.criteriongames.com/packs/island.php).

There is a new island.

If you know Paradise City, you'll be familiar with the huge, under construction suspension bridge that leads into the ocean to the East of Downtown Paradise. But the question we've been asked by so many fans is - what's on the other side of the bridge.

All we can say right now, is it leads to an area that's still under construction but will be available in 2009.

The island is roughly the size of Downtown Paradise, but features gameplay unlike any other area in the game. We're running with the mantra "if you can see it, you can drive it" to introduce a new level of freedom to Burnout Paradise, and the island also features some big air jumps - the largest on the game.

Additionally, the latest episode of Crash TV (http://www.criteriongames.com/podcast/) has a preview showcasing the island and its mad phat jumps.

One of the few new paid packs that looks worthy of purchase.

[sgtslappy]

I tried to like Burnout: Paradise. I really did.

I couldn't get into it and I hate myself for it.

[GunnSgtHartman]

Don't hate yourself, I loved every Burnout game before this one... it just seems washed out of all the addictive things that were in the previous games. Crash mode anyone? I miss this one so much.

Why didn't they patch in a "Retry activity" feature? I still don't understand that one. When you finish a race that you lose you have to drive back to the starting point. WTF???

It just seems bland compared to the other Burnout games... if it can answer everybody's question, no this was not the patch that made the game fun :)

[SAMIAM779]

If you don't like it, you don't like it, not a big deal. However I would like to say something about the "retry" thing.

The "thesis" of this game is pretty unique for a racer, and I think the lack of a retry option is a calculated choice on Criterion's part. They don't WANT you to treat it like a normal racing game, where if you fail a race you immediately do it again.

Paradise is essentially a driving playground. There are things to do everywhere, and all sorts of hidden jumps and shortcuts. And the developers seem to want you to treat it like a playground. You fail a race, then you just do the nearest race to where you ended up, or maybe you try a stunt run. Or maybe you take a break from the events, hunt down a few billboards that you haven't crashed through yet.

To enjoy the game the way I have, that's the way you have to treat it. Instead of grinding through the same race over and over, just relax and have fun, bouncing from one thing to the next. Over time you'll really learn the city, and have an easier time on all the events.

All that being said, the old crash mode absolutely needs to come back, even if it's just a standalone DLC game.

[bskeillor]

This used to be one of the free updates. Did they in fact change it?

[sgtslappy]

Don't hate yourself, I loved every Burnout game before this one... it just seems washed out of all the addictive things that were in the previous games. Crash mode anyone? I miss this one so much.

Why didn't they patch in a "Retry activity" feature? I still don't understand that one. When you finish a race that you lose you have to drive back to the starting point. WTF???

It just seems bland compared to the other Burnout games... if it can answer everybody's question, no this was not the patch that made the game fun :)

Yeah, I had been playing Burnout since the first game, loved the second one and third one. I feel like the game started going down hill after the Takedown.

[beefyjr]

Why didn't they patch in a "Retry activity" feature? I still don't understand that one. When you finish a race that you lose you have to drive back to the starting point. WTF??
FWIW, I think they are patching in a "retry" menu option.

[Rirath]

Just bought the game last week or so, and just got my Burnout license in the regular content. Haven't even tried bikes yet -- but I'm content for now. I'll come back to this later, assuming the content is substantial.

[SAMIAM779]

This used to be one of the free updates. Did they in fact change it?

I've been wondering the same thing. From the recent Criteriongames.com post about the island:

"We haven’t released anything new on this awesome, premium downloadable content since way back in May, so it’s high time we gave you a little update."

"Premium" is usually code for "give us some money."