Here are my real quick impressions of Burnout Paradise

I popped it in for the first time last night and played for about 2 hours. At first the game is daunting and has a very steep learning curve. This is in large part due to the game not having a waypoint system, and you have to find your own way around the city to not only find events, but race across teh city. Basically one wrong turn and the race is lost, and you cannot try the race over, you have to drive all the way back to the start. After a few hours though everything now feels pretty natural. I am able to find my way around the city somewhat, and races have become less trial and error. The game is full of events to play through, with each one at an intersection in the city. There are regular races, marked man events where you have to get from point a to b without being taken out by hitman cars that are trying to wreck you, Stunt events where you have to accumulate a certain amount of stunt points in a few minutes, and some other events. Every street in the game also has two records one for fastest time travelled down the street and one for best showtime score, and you can attempt to break the records anytime. The showtime mode can be activated anytime, and the goal is to wreck as many things as possible while you are tumbling down the street in your vehicle. Its fun, but many people have said the crash modes in other burnout games have been better (this is my first burnout game). As you can see there is a ton to do, and it will feel overwhelming at first. When it clicks though Burnout is a crazy addicting game. The Graphics and Soundtrack are also fantastic. Early Score 8.5/10 with more potential.

Ill post impressions early tomorrow or late tonight after I play fallout 3, or blitz the league two which is due in the mail today.