Burnout Paradise – The Ultimate Box

Generally speaking, racing games can be divided up into two camps: slavishly realistic driving simulations and exhilarating but utterly improbable arcade-style racers.

The Burnout series, with its giddy, brakeneck thrills, its system for rewarding players who drive as dangerously as possible and its ludicrously overglorified crashes, has always fitted squarely into the latter category, and new version Paradise is no different.

Originally released on consoles last year, it appears on the PC for the first time in this Ultimate Box pack, which sees the core game itself accompanied by a selection of add-ons. These include a Bike Pack that adds motorcycles to the action and a Party Mode that lets the player enjoy multiplayer action with friends at the same computer as well as online.

Gameplay is – uniquely for a racing title – an open-ended affair. Simply pull up at any set of traffic lights to see what challenges are available. These can range from straightforward races to stunt runs, Road Rage races in which where you have to eliminate opponents by running them off the road, and survival-type trials, where you’re ‘it’ and others attempt to run you off the road before you reach your destination.

It may all sound a bit daft and irresponsible but, with its soft rock soundtrack and cheesy cars, the game does a good job of reminding you that it is all just a bit of fun.

Graphics are impressive, online multiplayer is extremely well integrated and the overall package offers an impressive selection of varied gameplay types and racing environments that will keep players coming back for more.

PEGI age rating: 7+