While the heart-attack prone should steer clear, anyone with a pulse will devour Burnout Paradise eagerly.
Paradise is such a visual leap from Burnout Revenge that you'll question whether the two year gap was used for anything other than lavish graphical touch-ups. The fact that the game runs at a slick sixty-frames-per-second only solidifies this question. It's then that you discover Paradise is a complete departure from the series staple. A free-roaming world has been introduced, one that you can traverse as you please. In an ever-increasing sandbox market the city is comparatively impressive. It's large and expansive and varied and sure to entice numerous hours of gaming. While a day-night cycle has been omitted, the overarching dusky theme suffices. Moreover, tightly confined main roads and swooping canyon vistas help to vary the pace, although the core idea of the game (to drive fast) is never compromised.
And it's just that. Driving fast has never seemed so appealing. While Paradise never encroaches on the substance of a RPG, it pulls off its core element so successfully that you'll never complain. Careening around corners at unimaginable speeds might heighten the arcade presumptions you have. Yet, it handles like a proper racing game. The cars feel appropriately diversified while the graphics trump its rivals in visual style and technical procession.
Initially however, the game seems daunting. Being left in an open world and told to get on with it defies traditional game-shepherding conventions. Nonetheless, you'll come to grips with the setup and fully appreciate the lack of restrictions. Races are devoid of pre-determined paths with perseverance being the key. And once you've learnt the ways of the city, Burnout Paradise will seem just that: A paradise. With varied race types and a beautifully implemented online browser (accessible in game), it begs the question: Why haven't more racing games adopted this open-world experience?
If there are flaws, they're minor. Again, the game's scope will intimidate some, while traditional racing enthusiasts will scoff the lack of a track. The music is also occasionally amiss. Ultimately though, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise impeccable sheen. An absolute thrill-ride that champions the Xbox 360, Burnout Paradise should be sampled by all; save for the heart-attack prone, perhaps.