Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 608 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 390 out of 608
  2. Mixed: 158 out of 608
  3. Negative: 60 out of 608
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  1. Bucketh34d
    Sep 8, 2013
    3
    Very disappointing. The game looks good enough, especially with ENB, but that's about all it has going for it. Criterion purport the idea of race events on a free roam map as something new, "unlike any other driving experience", even though Need for Speed Underground 2 and Test Drive Unlimited had both done similar things prior to its release. All events are extremely easy, and with noVery disappointing. The game looks good enough, especially with ENB, but that's about all it has going for it. Criterion purport the idea of race events on a free roam map as something new, "unlike any other driving experience", even though Need for Speed Underground 2 and Test Drive Unlimited had both done similar things prior to its release. All events are extremely easy, and with no difficulty option (at least not one I could find in the ill-conceived labyrinthine menu system), the game soon becomes very dull.

    In-game advertisements are a spit in the face from the developers. Perhaps it would be understandable if the game were free to play, or if it were trying to emulate a "real world", but it's not. These were clearly only put in for profit, not an attempt at realism, since the game is set in a fictional city and none of the cars are licensed. I paid for the game I don't want to see Burger King and EVGA advertisements while playing it.

    Various elements of the game are at cross-purposes with each other. Events are put at every intersection, supposedly to cut down on monotony and so there's never an event too far away, but the races aren't gated and the route isn't highlighted on the map as with other arcade racers, which means you have to open your map at the beginning of each race and spend time planning your route. You can't jump to events either, which, in the case of Burning Route events, often means you have to drive halfway across the map just to begin a race.

    On the topic of Burning Route events; the game boasts a range of 75 cars, when in actuality, in terms of unique vehicles there is about half that, with the other half being practically carbon-copies with different paint jobs which are rewarded after completing time trials. By the end of the game, you'll only be using about 3 of the cars anyway (the best in each category; stunt, aggression and speed), since the others are relatively useless.

    The soundtrack is awful. For reasons unknown to anyone but the developers, there are 3 different styles of music in this game; pop/rock songs, instrumental songs from the three previous Burnout games, and classical compositions. The loudness levels are not normalized either, which means that some songs are barely audible while others are quite loud. The "CrashFM" DJ is obnoxious and detestable.

    There are many other annoyances, but I think I've made my point already. Does this game deserve a rating of 3/10? No, but it doesn't deserve the inflated rating of 7.6/10 either.    … Expand
  2. jmh55
    Jun 23, 2012
    0
    So many shill reviews here. Clearly a console port, with the irritating menus you'd expect. Couldn't play for long as I had to re-install windows and that broke the activation. Avoid EA games for this reason.
  3. Spaces
    Aug 18, 2013
    4
    Fan of the previous burnout games? I was too. Sadly, you will not be enjoying this SLOPPY, terribly made version.

    There isn't enough Guns N Roses on Earth to make this game appealing to any real Burnout fans...

    Maybe next time.... maybe...
  4. RyanB
    Mar 19, 2009
    1
    I'm not sure how or why this game is getting votes above 5, unless people are only for graphics these days. As a major fan of the burnout series, this totally ruined it. Even if I changed my perspective into this being a totally different game (which it is), it makes me one sad panda. Definitely the most boring and lacking game i've purchased in the last 5 years out of about a I'm not sure how or why this game is getting votes above 5, unless people are only for graphics these days. As a major fan of the burnout series, this totally ruined it. Even if I changed my perspective into this being a totally different game (which it is), it makes me one sad panda. Definitely the most boring and lacking game i've purchased in the last 5 years out of about a hundred. I showed this to several people - all having similar opinions. Better luck next time.… Expand
  5. STDSkin
    Nov 5, 2013
    0
    This game is absolute trash. I spent more time sitting through videos (and listening to Paradise City from GNR play over and over) that I was not able to skip than I did actually playing. That is how much this game pissed me off. If I would have actually spent money on it I think I would of lost my mind.
  6. COMThing
    May 14, 2014
    0
    A big waste of money. It looked good from the outside, but the UI is the worst I have ever encountered, to the point where the game felt like a virus. It actually seems to be designed to function how it does, so I applaud the devs on "completing" the UI, even though it isn't user friendly and lacks all the functions you would expect in a completed UI, such as a Quit Game button, or aA big waste of money. It looked good from the outside, but the UI is the worst I have ever encountered, to the point where the game felt like a virus. It actually seems to be designed to function how it does, so I applaud the devs on "completing" the UI, even though it isn't user friendly and lacks all the functions you would expect in a completed UI, such as a Quit Game button, or a configuration option for key bindings, the display and audio etc

    As for what you get in the game, the beginning cut scenes are completely unnecessary and explain nothing you can't see on screen, as they do not relate to either a story or character you would expect them to be a sort of tutorial. They also cannot be skipped.
    The controls are not obvious and as previously stated, there does not seem to be a way to consult the game to find out how to play. What is even worse is that since you can't alt-tab out (Can't even access the Task Manager), you can't look up the controls on the internet either. The car you start off with is also rather ugly and caters to people who think a large exhaust pipe and spoilers are cool when driving slower than 250Km/h.

    Overall impression? A terribly designed game that caters to boy racers you would expect to call the police on, not a decent racing game in the slightest.    … Expand
  7. CaptainMurph
    Mar 19, 2012
    0
    I'm rating this a zero, not because it deserves a zero but because half the reviews here were obviously written by EA employees. The game probably gets a 5. The graphics are good but pretty standard for a modern racing game. The soundtrack has a few good tracks but mostly sucks. They have about an hours worth of classical music for no good reason. Anyone who says this was a quality port isI'm rating this a zero, not because it deserves a zero but because half the reviews here were obviously written by EA employees. The game probably gets a 5. The graphics are good but pretty standard for a modern racing game. The soundtrack has a few good tracks but mostly sucks. They have about an hours worth of classical music for no good reason. Anyone who says this was a quality port is lying to you. This was a very lazy job, the menus are completely designed for a controller and make no use of the mouse. You have to press F1 and F2 to switch between menus this took me 5 minutes to discover. The cut-scenes are constant, useless, and unskipable. You will want to punch the "Radio DJ" in the face the first time you hear him and it only get's worse from there. Probably the worst part of the game is the handling of the cars. It's about on par with GTA which is sad for a game whose only purpose is driving. The races are extremely easy. The only time you will lose is if you go the wrong way or crash a lot, and even then you will usually win. All in all the game can be fun at times, it's good for a 10 minute break of mindless crashing, but there isn't much meat here.… Expand
  8. Jfoxx64
    Aug 25, 2012
    4
    Unfortunately this game doesn't have anything that the Burnout name has come with gearing more towards racing and less towards the causing of mayhem and destruction. A bitter disappointment in that field alone it only gets a four because the graphics for the time were alright and it isn't an absolutely terrible racing game.
  9. TRICKY_E
    Sep 15, 2013
    3
    I find this game to be terribly frustrating. To me, the Burnout series has been about driving skill, quick reactions and has always provided adrenaline fuelled moments. But I feel these things have been put on the back burner to route finding and city memorization. I don't have the time to learn all the streets of yet another virtual city, and so I often lose races simply because I took aI find this game to be terribly frustrating. To me, the Burnout series has been about driving skill, quick reactions and has always provided adrenaline fuelled moments. But I feel these things have been put on the back burner to route finding and city memorization. I don't have the time to learn all the streets of yet another virtual city, and so I often lose races simply because I took a wrong turn. The map is very small and there are no visual clues in the city that show a suggested route you could take to get to your goal. Temporary road markers would be fine, anything so I don't have to learn the entire city just to know which way I should be going. Which way to go is not something I want to consider when playing an arcade style racing games. And you have to drive around looking for things to do, I don't have time for this! Just let me select from a list.
    You got a new a new car delivered to the junkyard! Great! Where is it? No idea. You know what, I'm not going to go to the map, try and work out which icon is the junk yard, meticulously memorize a route to get there (as I couldn't find a way to set way points). I'm not going to do that. I'll just not play any more.

    If open-world city racing sounds like fun to you and you have time on your hands, you'll probably love it. If, like me, you don't have a whole lot of time to burn and you just want to get straight into some no-nonsense racing, I would avoid it.

    Also, the store is never available, and I don't know why. It teases you me content I can't actually buy, even if i wanted to.    … Expand
  10. keefbaker
    Oct 17, 2013
    2
    Imagine Paradise City by Guns and Roses, but on repeat.... FOR EVER.... Does that sound awesome? If it does then maybe this wont be like licking a dead dogs anus to you. To me, it's kind of like being trapped in a city of ripe and festering cheese that's slowly weeping onto the top of my noggin. Call we weird but I don't want to pay for that, that's not my thing.
  11. Totobro
    Aug 27, 2013
    0
    Worst Burnout EVER.
    The radio DJ is annoying as hell, and you can't skip it. You can't crash, or it'll take you 10 seconds of slow motion where you can't do anything. Worst if you do a Takedown, there's a slow-mo where your car is in autopilot and you can't skip it, it totally break the game flow, just awful.
    And where unlocking a new car should be cool and rewarding, it's annoying    Worst Burnout EVER.
    The radio DJ is annoying as hell, and you can't skip it. You can't crash, or it'll take you 10 seconds of slow motion where you can't do anything. Worst if you do a Takedown, there's a slow-mo where your car is in autopilot and you can't skip it, it totally break the game flow, just awful.
    And where unlocking a new car should be cool and rewarding, it's annoying because of the 2 15 seconds presentation just to say "congrats you unlock a car" that you CAN'T SKIP!
    Graphics are kinda nice, but lake imagination. Otherwise, controls SUCKS, and the gameplay is AWFUL (lose a race? gotta go back to the beginning, because the menu will not give you the option to stop it or restart or anything...). Way too much slow-mo.
    It may not deserve a 0, but no more than 3, and seeing all the other 10 or 9 and the description, I'll just guess some EA or criterion dev post these comments.    … Expand
  12. Loskutorr
    Dec 5, 2014
    0
    Retarded overpowered opponents even from the beginning will not let you try and learn anything, they just drive like 400 mph and smash you to the next wall. Suicidal civilian cars are driving into you as you try to drive around them....
    Dreadful driving model on the ridiculously wide streets.
    Very bad graphics, like NFS Underground 2 bad... Soundtrack is idiotic for 10years old kids.    Retarded overpowered opponents even from the beginning will not let you try and learn anything, they just drive like 400 mph and smash you to the next wall. Suicidal civilian cars are driving into you as you try to drive around them....
    Dreadful driving model on the ridiculously wide streets.
    Very bad graphics, like NFS Underground 2 bad...
    Soundtrack is idiotic for 10years old kids.
    Car sounds vere better in NFS 3 back in 1998.
    And that main menu must be a joke. Setup anything is painful a extremely unintuitive.
    Only two camera positions. Everything is constantly shaking.
    This must be one of the worst, stupid and over hyped "driving" games ever.
    Im glad i didnt buy it, I got it for free with pack of some other games. Please dont waste money or time on this. It is not even worth downloading from TPB.    … Expand
  13. MicahA.
    Feb 6, 2009
    3
    The game makes heavy use of the song Welcome to the Junge by Guns N' Roses. I mention this because practically the entire song plays out as the game loads after you launch it. I would say that the loading takes at least two minutes for me, then there's some strange problems I won't even bother to discuss in detail, and then the game starts -- kind of. Usually I have to sit The game makes heavy use of the song Welcome to the Junge by Guns N' Roses. I mention this because practically the entire song plays out as the game loads after you launch it. I would say that the loading takes at least two minutes for me, then there's some strange problems I won't even bother to discuss in detail, and then the game starts -- kind of. Usually I have to sit and watch some kind of video about different vehicles. Keyboard controls aren't terribly good, and whoever wrote the in-game tutorial seemingly got the order of the brake and afterburner buttons switched around. Oh, and it requires that you create an account before you can play. More tedium. And it has crashed my PC one of the two times I've had enough downtime to play it. And now I'm trying to uninstall it (sigh) and it can't even do that in a timely manner. And it installs some EA Download manager that runs when Windows boots. And ... the list goes on. It might be a fine console game, but the port seems terrible.… Expand
  14. MichalA
    Feb 9, 2009
    2
    This game is nothing, that wasted developer's time and EA's money of course. It has absolutely not to offer in PC world. Race Driver Grid is not about demolition like Burnout, but it has better destruction model, actualy it has better everything. When I played this kind of sh*t called in civilised society a "Burnout" I had no idea, how long it will stay on my harddrive. 15This game is nothing, that wasted developer's time and EA's money of course. It has absolutely not to offer in PC world. Race Driver Grid is not about demolition like Burnout, but it has better destruction model, actualy it has better everything. When I played this kind of sh*t called in civilised society a "Burnout" I had no idea, how long it will stay on my harddrive. 15 minutes? Wasted money. Big city, nothing to do. Car's behavior is so weird. It!s like you ride a horse or something, but not car. Please, don't buy this game!… Expand
  15. DDay
    Dec 26, 2010
    1
    this the worst driving game of it's kind.every street looks like an interstate highway.a total lack of imagination. the menus are confusing you can slam the car into a brick wall at top speed and it still goes. the music is one is for those with limited taste.and i hate GnR. not arcade enough for an arcade racer. not real enough for a simulator.i did one race and drove around a bit. andthis the worst driving game of it's kind.every street looks like an interstate highway.a total lack of imagination. the menus are confusing you can slam the car into a brick wall at top speed and it still goes. the music is one is for those with limited taste.and i hate GnR. not arcade enough for an arcade racer. not real enough for a simulator.i did one race and drove around a bit. and saw no need to go farther.this game is for those who live to rack up scores they want to post and brag about,not for me. this is why driving games are so bad these days people give high score to junk like this.… Expand
  16. MarkH
    Feb 20, 2009
    2
    Who knows what the developers were thinking; they've removed the very two best features of the Burnout Series (Crash Mode and Aftertouch are both gone gone gone) and instead given us a more generic city racer. I'm a long time fan of the Burnout series, and this is the worst of them so far. The party pack is a joke... unless you like watching a load screen and lots of Who knows what the developers were thinking; they've removed the very two best features of the Burnout Series (Crash Mode and Aftertouch are both gone gone gone) and instead given us a more generic city racer. I'm a long time fan of the Burnout series, and this is the worst of them so far. The party pack is a joke... unless you like watching a load screen and lots of 1timed-delay banners inbetween players (about 1 minute o waiting for every 30 seconds of gameplay). EA, here's hoping you read comments on Metacritic and bring back Crash Mode and Aftertouch (in single player of course). Otherwise, you just ripped me right the hell off.… Expand
  17. ccrogers15
    Dec 10, 2011
    1
    Why: Ok first, this game is nothing like what the past games where. This one went all "racing" on us, instead of burnouts trademark crashes and takedowns. Second, while your driving, the game freezes at random spots so an imbred narrator can talk to you about the obvious. such as: "jump the ramps for points!". OK CAPTAIN OBVIOUS. This game is junk. I want my money back. Burnout 1-3 wasWhy: Ok first, this game is nothing like what the past games where. This one went all "racing" on us, instead of burnouts trademark crashes and takedowns. Second, while your driving, the game freezes at random spots so an imbred narrator can talk to you about the obvious. such as: "jump the ramps for points!". OK CAPTAIN OBVIOUS. This game is junk. I want my money back. Burnout 1-3 was good. The rest, nope. Did i mention the game is lifeless? Its so unreal its not even funny! So, you look into your car or others, and noone is there. Ghost car? And nobody walks on the street. This game is horrible.I hope its the last burnout now.… Expand
  18. ChuckA
    Dec 7, 2009
    2
    This game is a mediocre game with a crappy port to the pc. I tried this game on four PCs before I found one it didn't crash on. I logged a bug with criterion which seemed to be ignored. Perhaps on a console this would be a 5, but for anyone who has played PC games for long this is a stinker
  19. jonas24
    Sep 10, 2012
    3
    This game is awful compare to Burnout 3: Takedown or Revenge. This game plays more like a modern racing game instead of a burnout game and don't have the feel of a burnout game. What made me most annoyed was the races has been slowed down as a normal racing game. I remember burnout to be the super fast racing game, that actually was and felt fast in comparison to something like Need ForThis game is awful compare to Burnout 3: Takedown or Revenge. This game plays more like a modern racing game instead of a burnout game and don't have the feel of a burnout game. What made me most annoyed was the races has been slowed down as a normal racing game. I remember burnout to be the super fast racing game, that actually was and felt fast in comparison to something like Need For Speed. Another thing that's annoying is the open world, it's like comparing Need For Speed Underground with Underground 2. Open-world racing games gets extremely BORING after a while (it's fun in the beginning). Then on top of all, you can't not restart a race in burnout paradise WTF.

    This is the WORST in the series, hands down. a SHAME.    … Expand
  20. shooter557
    Jul 14, 2012
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is awesome but why aren't I able to access DLCs? Rather than the DLC problem, the game itself is nice! Nice graphics, damage visuals, and a ton of cars.… Expand
  21. Sanastusa
    May 11, 2015
    0
    Visually its nice and the driving is awesome but if your looking for a game with some kind of a story, this is not for you. Its great if you just want to jump in a game and crash cars.
    Just not my type of game
  22. CAHEKCT
    Jan 10, 2019
    1
    Отвратительная игра.
    Плюсы:
    1) Музыка в игре Недостатки: 1) Графика. Даже для 2009 года она отвратительная. В том же Race driver Grid она на несколько голов выше 2) Открытый мир. Он пустой. Я не спорю, гонок полно на перекрёстках. Но без них в открытом мире ничего не происходит. Нет гонщиков, с которыми можно взаимодействовать, нет полиции 3) Геймплей. Он просто отвратительный.    Отвратительная игра.
    Плюсы:
    1) Музыка в игре
    Недостатки:
    1) Графика. Даже для 2009 года она отвратительная. В том же Race driver Grid она на несколько голов выше
    2) Открытый мир. Он пустой. Я не спорю, гонок полно на перекрёстках. Но без них в открытом мире ничего не происходит. Нет гонщиков, с которыми можно взаимодействовать, нет полиции
    3) Геймплей. Он просто отвратительный. Чтобы победить в гонках, выполнять трюки нужно город знать наизусть, ведь GPS здесь отсутствует. А компас и поворотники полное говно.
    4) Отвратительное меню. Чтобы в нём разобраться, нужно в интернет выйти
    5) Отсутствие нормальной динамической смены погоды. Где дождь? Где гроза? Почему только либо пасмурно, либо туманно? И почему только по вечерам солнце выходит?
    6) Почему меню не подстраивается полностью под мой геймпад. Причём у меня геймпад от Xbox One.
    7) Игра частенько вылетает при запуске.    … Expand
  23. FreakinGuy45
    Aug 4, 2020
    0
    I like this game honestly it's very unique that car have real physics, variety of car, and boosts system but i kinda miss soundtrack like burnout 3 takedown or revenge that have awesome soundtrack than paradise
  24. kndr
    May 23, 2021
    3
    I am disappointed by this game. I loved burnout 3 and 4 but this is just bad.

    First of all for some reason this game decided to be open world. Why? There is no need for that. When you are racing game doesn't block other roads or anything. Everyone seperates and it just doesn't even feel like racing. Map is too small and it is hard to see corners. You focus at map more than you focus    I am disappointed by this game. I loved burnout 3 and 4 but this is just bad.

    First of all for some reason this game decided to be open world. Why? There is no need for that. When you are racing game doesn't block other roads or anything. Everyone seperates and it just doesn't even feel like racing.

    Map is too small and it is hard to see corners. You focus at map more than you focus at race.

    There are motorcycles...and it is completely unnecessary.

    It is a shame this is the only burnout that is available for pc.    … Expand
  25. Wannabehonest
    Oct 31, 2022
    0
    I don't consider myself nostalgic, as I just came from playing burnout 3 takedown and it was a great game. It was a disappointment to see that burnout paradise has absolutely nothing of what made the previous titles great, The only good thing are the graphics. Even music here is just... boring. it seems a pretty generic game in my opinion. Bye bye burnout paradise, I will continue playing 3

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2009
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
31
#31 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    90
    First ever PC version of Burnout is a perfect example of a modern racing game in an open world with all the essentials that players want. No need for C-grade actresses at all. [Issue#174, Jan 2009]
  2. VideoGamer
    90
    For true next-gen arcade racing thrills Burnout Paradise is most definitely your best option, and on PC your only option.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    84
    If you're willing to put in the time, there's plenty of content here to enjoy, including getting a handle on how all the various car models control and boost. For gamers looking for a different kind of high-speed racer or anyone's who has yet to experience the thrill Criterion's Burnout series provides, this is a solid choice.
    Read full review
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