Another good game by Criterion, but, like the others, it eventually gets old.
The other significant addition included in Burnout Revenge is the ability to use takedowns in races, which some would call unfair (Gamespot did!), but I would say this is a useful and fun aspect that sets Burnout apart from other racing games.
There are several other new features in Burnout Revenge, but they are all very minor when compared to the two already mentioned. One of these is the new vertical takedown, which is so rare that some might even call it pointless. Also, Criterion has added a titilular 'revenge' feature, which means that the game actually takes note of which of computer controlled opponents take you down, and rewards you for exacting your sweet 'revenge'.
Overall, I was quite impressed with Burnout Revenge. The visuals were, as usual, spectacular, the computer AI was vastly improved, and the game as a whole seemed very polished. That said, I did have a few complaints with the game. First of all, why isn't there an arcade mode where the player can practice his racing skills alone? Many other games include this feature, and it is very frustrating that Burnout does not. Another complaint I had came from the game's multiplayer mode. Playing Burnout with a friend is great fun, but with multiplayer design this clunky, I'd rather play something else. Why can't I just set up a racing tournament? Why do I have do return to the menu after every race? Hopefully these questions will be answered in Burnout 5.
All said and done, I had only one major problem with Burnout Revenge. This problem lies in the game's lasting appeal. After a week or so of racing, crashing, and slamming, the gameplay lost its original shine, and playing it just grew tiresome. Sure, there is variety in the world tour with three main different events (race, crash, and traffic attack), but the rewards are uninteresting (more identical cars and higher ranks). Once I had reached the highest rank, I simply didn't feel like playing anymore. An arcade mode could have kept me interested longer, but I doubt I would have reached the 15-hour mark in playtime.
In just year, the amazing developers at Criterion have made a worthy sequel to 2004's critical darling, Burnout 3. While the game lacks in replay value, it makes up for it in fast, addictive gameplay, polished graphics, and an overall unique experience that isn't found anywhere else.