Probably the best game in the Burnout series; and thus, the best racing game money can buy!
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Pros:
+ Speed & Crashes: As with Burnout 3, the feel of the game is fearsomly fast, destructive and enjoyable, and while the handling and physics feel slightly heavier than before, the gameplay is still utterly satisfying and addictive.
+ Improved Crash Mode: Crash mode has been given a slight overhaul: power-ups no longer exist, cars vary in the power of their crashbreakers, and your score is multiplied based on how many explosions you incur. The overall effect is to make the mode a lot more strategic, and you have a lot more freedom in how you approach things.
+ Variety: Even more modes have been added, the highlight of which is surely Eliminator, a desperate scramble to stay in front while the player in last place is eliminated every 30 seconds.
+ Expanded Tracks: There are roughly the same amount of different tracks as in Burnout 3, but now they all have many stunts and alternative routes built into them for extra variety and strategy, and a night-time track is also a welcome (if challenging) addition.
+ Local Multiplayer: Again, keeping the split-screen flame alive: I don't care what you say, online will never be as much fun!
Cons:
- Repetitive Tour: The tour technically hasn't changed much at all from Burnout 3, but for some reason the cars don't gradually improve as much as they used to, and you seem to undergo the same events and locations much more frequently than before, which can make things slightly repetitive.
- Annoying Music: I seem to remember the announcer being marginally less intrusive this time round, but the music is just as bland and worthless as in Burnout 3, and should be silenced in favour of the brilliant sound effects at the first opportunity.
- Light Traffic: I'm not entirely sure about the decision to allow players to knock same-direction traffic about without crashing yourself (though it does add an extra dilemma as to whether or not you should risk oncoming traffic or not), but what is odd about it is how light the cars seem when you knock them aside - this makes it seem very strange when they then take out any opponents you manage to hit with them!
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Normally, I'm a little wary of sequels that only offer marginal improvements over their predecessors, and technically Burnout Revenge falls into this category quite snugly. However, the improvements it makes are still significant, and only serve to improve on the Burnout experience; and the result is the most finely-tuned, deliriously enjoyable racing game ever created. Whatever kinds of games you normally play, make sure this finds its way into your collection at all costs...