Video game review by ERIK LEIJON

Let me begin by saying this: Burnout Revenge (Xbox, PS2/EA, Criterion) is too damn fast. I mean headache-inducing fast. Consider it to be physiology-altering fast.

The first two or three minutes you play this latest version of the Burnout series, you will be confused and you may just get whiplash. This driving game is about as fast as anything can be before becoming a Space Odyssey-esque scene where nothing but fluorescent beams fly by your head as you exceed the speed of light. But after the initial shock of Burnout’s speed, though, your eyes and brain will become adjusted and the fun can ensue.

Burnout 3: Takedown (EA) was my favourite game of last year. It combined awesome speed with an element of recklessness; essentially, you get rewarded for making other cars crash and driving into oncoming traffic, allowing you to drive even faster with turbo boost. Revenge is the same game, except with new levels, new cars and some minor gameplay tweaks.

First and foremost, the explosion-laden and slightly morbid car crashes are still here and even more animated. You can’t help but smile as you smash other cars into walls and cause multi-car pile-ups (just imagine a big STM sign on the backs of the city buses and you’ll ram them even harder from behind). The controls are also just as responsive as Takedown; even novices will be able to squeeze through rush hour traffic after a few races. What is different this time around is the traffic attack, which allows you to bodycheck smaller cars out of the way and be rewarded for it with turbo boost power. It’s similar to the jumping ability in Crazy Taxi 2 (Sega), and though it removes some of the skill needed to evade traffic, it does cause more wreckage.

The modes of play are generally the same as before, proving that sometimes the status quo is the better way to go. For the most part the single-player mode alternates between races against opponents or crash-specific missions. The crash missions are more puzzle-like in nature, since you have to plan how you want to crash your car to induce the most damage. The missions are short, and since there are so many, Revenge is the type of game you can play for hours on end without lethargy setting in.

A new mode of play coincides with your new ability. Traffic Attack is precisely that—you drive around the levels smashing into as many cars as possible. Pay attention to physics when playing—crashing into oncoming cars will wreck your car as will buses and trucks.

Burnout Revenge may not be quite the revolutionary step as Burnout 2 (Acclaim) to Takedown, but it’s by no means a misstep. Criterion have not meddled with their winning formula and continue to make minor tweaks. Sceptics can claim sequels such as these are poisoning the industry, and we’re all bereft of new ideas, but the reality is this game is still enjoyable. And fast.

Summit fallout

The Montreal International Gaming Summit surpassed expectations, according to the organizers, Alliance numériQC. The event attracted more than 750 participants, 40 speakers and 30 media outlets, while the Web site had over 55,000 hits.

Some of the highlights included keynote speakers Warren Spector (Wing Commander and Deus Ex), Nintendo’s Hideo Konno and EA’s Neil Young.

XLaunch

The Xbox 360 launched on November 22. Remember there are two versions you can buy: the core system for $400 and the bundle (i.e. w/ hard drive) for $500. Games range from $60–$70.