Burnout Paradise demo lights XBLM on fire

by Dustin Burg { Dec 13th 2007 at 10:45AM }

You've been waiting for it, you've been dreaming about it and now the time has finally arrived. Available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace is a free roam, car crashing Burnout Paradise demo featuring multiplayer play over Xbox Live. The demo is open to all Xbox Live territories (except Asia) and weighs in at a rather manageable 835MBs. We're definitely queuing this bad boy up for download, how about you?

Tags: burnout-paradise, criterion-games, ea, xblm

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sam K @ Dec 13th 2007 10:55AM

I played it earlier this morning, and was very impressed. Online play has never been easier.

I wasn't able to test the race events, because although the instructions said to pull up to a traffic light and hold the breaks and gas at the same time, it didn't work for me. That may have to do with the fact that many of the roads are blocked off for the demo, and so don't have race routes.

Crashing has always been fun in the Burnout games, but this one tops them all. The crash physics in this iteration blow away the other Burnout games.

HazyCloud @ Dec 13th 2007 10:56AM

I would but I am one of those lucky people in Oklahoma still without power. It's been 5 days now. The demo looks awesome and is getting some pretty decent feedback. I will be getting this as soon as my Xbox has life again.

Rob @ Dec 13th 2007 11:30AM

How did you write this message??

Peter @ Dec 13th 2007 12:41PM

Maybe he wrote it from a cell phone?

Lungkisser @ Dec 13th 2007 10:58AM

I hope this is half as good as I hope it will be.

Tony @ Dec 13th 2007 10:59AM

I've always been kind of confused about the online aspect. What they've described sounded like what was done in Test Drive Unlimited a while back... Am I just misunderstanding it?

Sam K @ Dec 13th 2007 11:11AM

No, I'd say that's pretty accurate (only Burnout Paradise is much more fun). You can jump online with either people from your friend's list, or random strangers.

You use the D-Pad to hop online, and when you do, your Paradise City is seamlessly joined with the other players' versions. There's no loading or anything.

Magic Whiskey @ Dec 13th 2007 11:06AM

Been downloading the demo for a few hours now (as well as the Frontlines demo which is nearly 2 gigs so yeah, they're taking a while).

Your comments make this one 'sound' fun but why can't we just go back to the simplicity that was the Burnout 3 arcade style? :( :(

Sam K @ Dec 13th 2007 11:35AM

It's funny that you mention simplicity, because in fact, Burnout Paradise is seems to be the simplest of all the Burnout games. No menus, no loading, just jump in and play.

CB @ Dec 13th 2007 1:12PM

Simple doesn't always mean free roam and no menus. If I lose a race and I want to restart, what is more simple, going ALL the way back to the beginning while still avoiding traffic or pushing start then Restart?

I would've preferred a next-gen Burnout 3.

Ithilis @ Dec 13th 2007 11:28AM

I just tried it this morning, and I loved it. The online was a blast in 'free' mode. Me and three others just drove around crashing into each other and racing for about an hour.

Corleone @ Dec 13th 2007 11:34AM

@ Magic, the Frontline demo was really bad.....DL BP now!!

HazyCloud @ Dec 13th 2007 11:44AM

@ # 3,

My house has no power but my work does.

Magic Whiskey @ Dec 13th 2007 11:47AM

When I typed my comments about Burnout 3, I was essentially referring to the lack of the 'world' map/sandbox style gameplay.
I prefer the options to either race, crash, or Takedown. I don't want to search all over a world and find locations, AI characters, earn money or try to find a race. I just want easy to interface menus that say 'race', 'crash' 'takedown' , etc.

I can't wait to try this demo and see if my perspectives change!

bigC24 @ Dec 13th 2007 12:36PM

You're asking what I wanted as well, and we're out of luck.

Just played the demo, and frankly I didn't enjoy it at all. I liked Burnout for the races, and it seems that they shifted all the attention to the open world and doing stunts and whatever.

Oh well, thats $60 less I have to spend.

THA1icarus @ Dec 13th 2007 12:09PM

Just view problems with it
1. It's small (but most demo's are that way)
2. The map doesn't rotate

I just played it for like 20 min but it looks like a really fun game...

Bryan @ Dec 13th 2007 1:17PM

*drool*

can't wait to get my 360. This is one of the best looking racing games for 2008.

Kev @ Dec 13th 2007 1:34PM

"We're definitely queuing this bad boy up for download, how about you?"

It would be nice if I could queue it up from xbox.com and have it start downloading when I turn on my 360.

Paul @ Dec 13th 2007 1:42PM

yeah just get same type of system on xbox live going like on halo 3 and bungie.net with videos, screenshots, etc...

Magic Whiskey @ Dec 13th 2007 2:21PM

I might mention this to Major Nelson on his blog page but the next dash update needs to offer real-time 'active download' status information readable on Xbox.com. I'd love to know, when I'm away from my Xbox, how far along the download is.

Bobicus @ Dec 13th 2007 2:44PM

i have played all the burnouts and this demo doesnt not dissappoint... online demo is great,
just go up to a light to start an event...
very fun, slow down crashes in single player are incredible
i love how people say i just want a nextgen burnout 3 but then if a gaming company does that everyone says why didnt they change anything
i think the changes are perfect
cant wait for this to come out

boxmyth @ Dec 13th 2007 5:26PM

gently caress this game's awesome...

Magic Whiskey @ Dec 13th 2007 8:10PM

Just got done with the demo. Will not buy Burnout Paradise at all. Might rent.

I don't wanna be in a sandbox racing world! GAH! Give me menus to race, crash, takedown or whatever. I don't want to memorize roads, find races or locate..locations. I. don't. Care. I want arcade drop-in-and-play gameplay. I don't want a world simulator. DJ Atomica (sp) was just run of the mill voice rambling, too.

Big meh to Burnout Paradise's demo. Wished for a ton more. I want Takedown 2. Keep it fast and arcadey!

chiengsta @ Dec 13th 2007 8:42PM

I agree with Whiskey. I just logged in some playing time and I wasn't that impressed. It's freaking Burnout. Let us race and crash into things.

The new crash animations were pretty cool but having to drive around and learn the map before actually racing got boring fast. Get us into races, let us experience the crashes without all of the free roaming. Leave that to GTA and Crackdown.

We'll see. January 22nd is still awhile away. Hopefully I can change my mind on this before then.

dwilso1982 @ Dec 13th 2007 11:25PM

When I played Burnout this morning, the first thing that came to mind was GTA (without the people acourse). I love the old Burnouts and this new one is going to take some time getting use to. The whole online setup is revolutionary. i love not having menus but it is kind of weird.

Is it just me or does it seem slower when you boost?

Neeko @ Dec 14th 2007 12:59PM

Yes def. I didnt get that break ur neck speed feeling when i was boosting. Maybe casue the car isnt that great.

And my online play wasnt working last nite. Couldnt find anyone to join. Is it only friends that can join you? Mine just hung on the connect screen.

Still liked the game. The free raoming was really cool. I love being able to go where ever i want. Not just a strsight route.

Modeps @ Dec 13th 2007 11:44PM

This is one game that did not need a "free roam" aspect. Ugh. I guess I'll be passing.

His Mages T @ Dec 14th 2007 10:41AM

I would love to play that game

Bobicus @ Dec 14th 2007 12:01PM

you are all stupid

that is all

Hockle @ Dec 14th 2007 12:13PM

I never really played any of the other games in the series, but I think the demo is great. There were four of us playing for a few hours last night - two of the guys were Burnout veterans - and it was a blast. Just cruising around and one-upping each other on the challenges was a lot of fun. This will be a purchase for sure...