Burnout 2 Point of Impact Review

Overview

Released in 2003 for the Xbox by Acclaim Entertainment and developed by Criterion Games, Burnout 2: Point of Impact represents the evolution of arcade racing on Microsoft's powerful console. This sequel builds upon the foundation of the original Burnout while dramatically improving every aspect of the experience. As a pure arcade racing game, it forgoes any pretence of simulation in favour of delivering an intense, high speed experience focused on narrow misses, spectacular crashes, and perfectly executed drifts. The game arrived at a time when racing games were increasingly focusing on realism and simulation, making its unapologetically arcade nature stand out in the market. Criterion's decision to double down on what made the original unique while adding the now iconic Crash mode proved to be a masterstroke that would influence racing games for years to come.

Graphics and Presentation

Burnout 2 pushes the original Xbox hardware to deliver a blazing 60 frames per second experience that never wavers, even when the screen fills with spectacular crashes and particle effects. The sense of speed is heightened by excellent motion blur implementation and a camera that dynamically pulls back as you accelerate. Environment textures and car models show appropriate detail for the era, though they may appear somewhat simple by modern standards.

The art direction emphasizes clean, readable environments that allow players to spot upcoming traffic and hazards even at extreme speeds. While the car models lack licensed designs, they're clearly inspired by real world vehicles and feature impressive damage modelling. The environments span various international locations, each with distinct visual themes that help create a sense of globe trotting progression through the championship modes.

The user interface deserves special mention for its minimalist approach that provides essential information without cluttering the screen. The boost meter, speedometer, and position indicators are perfectly positioned to be visible while never distracting from the action. Menus are sharp and responsive, with clear navigation and loading times that feel remarkably short for the era.

Sound and Music

The audio design in Burnout 2 serves as a masterclass in creating tension and excitement through sound. The engine notes are distinctive and satisfying, changing pitch and intensity as you build and use boost. Crash sequences are accompanied by an orchestra of crunching metal, shattering glass, and explosive impacts that make each wreck feel appropriately catastrophic. The positional audio is particularly well implemented, allowing players to track nearby traffic through sound alone.

The licensed soundtrack features a mix of rock and electronic tracks that, while somewhat generic, provide an appropriate backdrop for the high speed action. The music dynamically adjusts during boost sequences and crashes, though some players might find themselves wishing for more memorable or distinctive tracks. The sound mixing allows players to adjust various audio elements, ensuring that crucial gameplay sounds are never drowned out by the music.

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, Burnout 2's gameplay revolves around a brilliant risk/reward system centered on the boost mechanic. Players fill their boost meter by driving dangerously - narrowly missing traffic, driving in oncoming lanes, and drifting through corners. Once filled, the boost provides an explosive burst of speed that can be chained together through skilled driving, creating a thrilling gameplay loop that rewards both skill and daring.

The control scheme strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and depth. Basic driving is intuitive, with responsive steering and a drift mechanic that's easy to initiate but requires practice to master. The crash physics system has been greatly refined from the original, creating spectacular wrecks that feel consequential while never keeping players out of the action for too long.

The addition of Crash mode represents the game's most significant innovation, turning the spectacular accidents from the main game into a puzzle-like scoring challenge. Players launch their vehicle into complex traffic scenarios, attempting to cause maximum chaos and destruction. This mode adds significant variety to the package and would become a series staple.

Story and Setting

While Burnout 2 doesn't feature a traditional narrative, it creates engaging progression through its championship structure and various international locations. Each venue feels distinct, from sun-soaked coastal highways to dense urban environments, with track designs that take advantage of their unique characteristics. The game's world strikes a balance between realism and artistic license, creating spaces that serve the gameplay while maintaining a consistent internal logic.

The progression system provides a sense of advancement through increasingly challenging events and new vehicle unlocks. While there's no character development or plot to speak of, the game creates its own narratives through intense rivalries with AI opponents and the persistent challenge of mastering each track's unique challenges.

Content and Value

The main championship mode offers approximately 15 hours of content, with additional time needed to achieve gold medals in all events. The variety of game modes includes standard races, pursuit events, and the addictive Crash mode scenarios. Each track can be played in reverse and features multiple shortcuts to discover, significantly extending the replay value for players.

At a current pre-owned price point of £14.99, Burnout 2 represents excellent value for money. The split screen multiplayer supports up to four players, though with some visual compromises. The absence of online features is disappointing but understandable given the era. The game includes a robust custom championship creator and numerous unlockable vehicles and crash scenarios that provide incentive for continued play.

Technical Performance

Loading times are impressively brief for an Xbox title, rarely exceeding 10 seconds between events. The game maintains its target 60fps with remarkable consistency, only occasionally dropping frames during the most chaotic four player split screen sessions. The save system is appropriately generous, automatically recording progress after each event and allowing players to retry races instantly.

During extensive testing, the game demonstrated rock solid stability with no crashes or significant bugs encountered. The only technical issues worth noting are occasional physics glitches during particularly complex crash sequences, though these are rare and often add to the entertainment rather than detracting from it.

The Verdict

Burnout 2: Point of Impact represents the pinnacle of arcade racing on the original Xbox. It takes everything that made the original Burnout exciting and refines it to near perfection, while adding innovative new features like the Crash mode. The combination of spectacular visuals, precise controls, and perfectly tuned risk/reward mechanics creates an experience that remains thrilling even decades after release. While some elements show their age and the lack of online features dates the package, the core gameplay loop remains as engaging as ever. Few racing games before or since have captured the pure adrenaline rush of threading through traffic at breakneck speeds so successfully.

• Phenomenal arcade racing mechanics
• Excellent technical performance
• Addictive Crash mode
• Outstanding risk/reward systems

• Limited online features
• Generic licensed soundtrack
• Basic vehicle customization
• Occasional rubber band AI

Final Score: 9/10

Burnout 2: Point of Impact sets the standard for arcade racing excellence. Its perfect blend of risk, reward, and spectacular destruction creates an experience that every Xbox owner should have in their collection.

By OGXbox Archive