Burnout 2: Point of Impact

Last updated

Burnout 2: Point of Impact
Burnout 2 - Point of Impact.jpg
Developer(s) Criterion Games
Publisher(s) Acclaim Entertainment
Director(s) Alex Ward
Designer(s) Chris Roberts
Programmer(s) Richard Parr
Artist(s) Michael Williamson
Trevor Moore
James Hans
Composer(s) Steve Emney
Stephen Root
Series Burnout
Engine RenderWare
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • NA: 3 October 2002 [1]
  • AU: 10 October 2002 [2]
  • EU: 11 October 2002
GameCube, Xbox
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Burnout 2: Point of Impact is a 2002 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Acclaim Entertainment for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox. It is the sequel to the 2001 video game Burnout and the second title in the Burnout series. It was the last Burnout game to be released on the GameCube and the series would not see a release on a Nintendo platform until the release of Burnout Legends in 2005. The game also marked Acclaim's last entry in the Burnout series, as Acclaim would go bankrupt in 2004; the rest of the series would be published by Electronic Arts.

Contents

Gameplay

The goal of Burnout 2: Point of Impact is to race circuits around a track, either alone, against the game artificial intelligence or human opponents. The tracks feature traffic, complex junctions and obstacles which can make driving at high speeds difficult. To travel faster, the player needs to accumulate Boost. This can be done by driving down the wrong side of the road, drifting around corners at high speeds, swerving to avoid traffic and hitting jumps at speed to gain air. Colliding with traffic or scenery at high speed causes the car to lose control and crash. After a short interval a replacement car then appears on the track without damage, but with a loss of boost.

The game also includes a "Crash" mode, in which the player(s) earn points by causing damage to other vehicles. [7] Crash mode is generally seen as the "puzzle" aspect of Burnout, as each scenario's vehicles are not randomised. This adds a layer of strategy, as well as trial and error, to determine which angle, speed, and point of impact is required to obtain maximum points. The points are given in cash (dollars).

There is also a Pursuit mode where the player takes the role of a cop and must wreck an escaping criminal's car to arrest him, thereby unlocking the car. [7]

The game contains a few glitches such as "the teleport glitch", where the car being driven flies off the edge of a mountain or bridge, and ends up in a higher position than where they were before, and the "flying truck glitch", which happens in crash mode when a large truck has its front turned sideways at a ninety-degree angle and becomes airborne.

The Xbox version of the game is subtitled the "Developer's Cut" and it features 21 new car skins, 15 more "crash" mode tracks, which totals up to 30 "crash" mode tracks in all and an Xbox Live online leaderboard, [8] which was also the first use of Xbox Live in a Burnout game. The GameCube version of the game also includes the 15 additional crash mode tracks. [9]

The GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions include all the custom cars from the Xbox version, but they do not have customisable liveries, online functions, or custom soundtrack capabilities.

Promotion

To promote the game, Acclaim offered to reimburse any driver in the United Kingdom who received a speeding ticket. Following a negative reaction to this from the UK government, the plan was cancelled. [10]

Reception

Burnout 2: Point of Impact received "favourable" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [11] [12] [13]

GameSpot called the PS2 version of the game a "must-own" title for arcade racing fans due to its inclusion of single-player and multiplayer modes. [28] The publication also named it the best Xbox game of April 2003. [43] Commenting the PS2 version, GameSpy said that "if Gran Turismo 3 is Dom Perignon, Burnout 2 is Jack Daniels", more preferring the latter. [31] IGN called the same version "an excellent sequel", praising the graphics, the sense of speed, and modes of play, particularly the Crash mode. [37] Eurogamer's Kristan Reed said the game was worth playing whether the players liked or not the first game in the series. Reed thought the multiplayer mode was a little disappointing, with a lower frame rate than other parts of the game but was otherwise highly complimentary:

"Burnout 2 is the most compelling arcade driving experience we have ever had the pleasure of undertaking. It's a visual master class, supremely playable, addictive, has huge replayability and has a superb learning curve that will ensure it has a broad appeal to anyone with even a vague interest in videogames. There really is no excuse not to buy this – it will restore your faith in the ability of videogames to generate excitement. Burnout 2 is pure adrenaline. You owe it to yourself to play this game". [44]

During the AIAS' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Burnout 2 received a nomination for "Console Racing Game of the Year". [45] Edge magazine ranked the game 75th on their 100 Best Video Games in 2007. [46]

Related Research Articles

<i>Midnight Club II</i> 2003 video game

Midnight Club II is a 2003 racing video game developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games. It is the sequel to Midnight Club: Street Racing, published for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows and first in series to feature motorcycles. Players can race through cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo. The game also features an online multiplayer component. It is the second game in Midnight Club franchise, followed by Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition.

<i>Soulcalibur II</i> 2002 video game

Soulcalibur II is a 2002 arcade fighting video game developed by Project Soul and published by Namco. It is the third installment in the Soulcalibur series of weapon-based fighting games as the sequel to Soulcalibur (1998). Originally intended to be released on Sega's NAOMI arcade board, the game was built on the Namco System 246 board before being ported to the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox home consoles in 2003.

<i>Driver 3</i> 2004 video game

Driver 3 is a 2004 action-adventure game, the third installment in the Driver series. It was developed by Reflections Interactive, published by Atari, and released on PlayStation 2, Xbox and mobile phones in June 2004, Microsoft Windows in March 2005, and Game Boy Advance in October 2005. The game's story focuses on players assuming the role of John Tanner, an undercover FBI agent, as he investigates a car-smuggling ring across three countries, in order to identify and arrest its boss and learn who they are planning to sell a cache of stolen cars to. The game expanded upon its predecessors with on-foot sections, gun combat, and drive-by shooting, with virtual recreations of three major cities - Miami, Nice, and Istanbul - free-roam game mode, and an improvement to the series' film-making "director mode".

<i>Red Faction II</i> 2002 video game

Red Faction II is a first-person shooter video game developed by Volition and published by THQ for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Windows and Xbox. It is the sequel to Red Faction and the second installment in the Red Faction series. The game changed the direction of the first game by introducing a greater emphasis on action and a new setting on Earth, rather than Mars.

<i>Need for Speed: Underground</i> 2003 racing video game

Need for Speed: Underground is a 2003 racing video game and the seventh installment in the Need for Speed series following Hot Pursuit 2 (2002). It was developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. Three different versions of the game were produced: one for consoles and Microsoft Windows, and another for the Game Boy Advance. An arcade version developed by Global VR and co-published by Konami came out two years later.

<i>Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2</i> 2002 video game

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is a 2002 racing video game, the sixth installment in the Need for Speed series following Porsche Unleashed (2000) and the direct sequel to Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (1998). It was developed by EA Black Box for the PlayStation 2, and a distinctly different version by EA Seattle for GameCube, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 features cars from various high-performance and exotic car manufacturers. Players can compete in races using these cars, or opt to play as a police officer and pursue speeders.

<i>Burnout</i> (video game) 2001 racing video game

Burnout is a 2001 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and GameCube and Xbox in 2002. It is the first instalment in the Burnout series.

<i>Burnout 3: Takedown</i> 2004 video game

Burnout 3: Takedown is a 2004 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It is the third instalment in the Burnout series, which is characterised by fast-paced arcade racing. A staple of the series is the use of boost, earned through risky driving, to rapidly increase a car's speed. The central mechanic introduced in Burnout 3 is Takedowns, which allow players to slam their opponents until they crash. Takedowns work in conjunction with the boost system by filling up and extending the boost meter. Aside from standard circuit races, the game features modes focused on performing Takedowns on rival vehicles and causing monetary damage at a junction occupied with traffic. Each game variant is featured in a single-player campaign mode called World Tour, which serves as the primary method for unlocking new and faster cars. The game supports both online and split-screen multiplayer.

<i>Madden NFL 2003</i> 2002 video game

Madden NFL 2003 is an American football simulation video game based on the NFL that was developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. The 14th installment of the Madden NFL series, the game features former St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk on the cover. This edition of Madden was the first to have EA Trax, the Mini Camp mode, and to feature Al Michaels as play-by-play announcer, who took over for Pat Summerall. Although it featured the expansion Houston Texans and the relocation of the Seattle Seahawks to the NFC, it was actually the second to do so. The game was released on August 12, 2002, for the Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The PlayStation version also includes the Sega Genesis version of John Madden Football 93.

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003</i> 2002 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 is a sports video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and GameCube versions and Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS versions and published by EA Sports.

<i>Burnout Revenge</i> 2005 video game

Burnout Revenge is a 2005 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360.

<i>Auto Modellista</i> 2002 video game

Auto Modellista is a racing game developed and published by Capcom, first released on PlayStation 2, later ported to GameCube and Xbox.

<i>NASCAR Thunder 2003</i> 2003 Racing simulator video game developed by EA Sports and Budcat Creations

NASCAR Thunder 2003 is the sixth edition of the EA Sports' NASCAR racing simulator series. Developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. It was released for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox on September 18, 2002, and for Microsoft Windows on October 21. The product features Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cover. It was the first time the NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award recipient was featured on the cover, although he did not win the award for the first time until the following year. Dale Earnhardt appeared in the game as a driver as a result of entering his name as a Create-A-Car driver's name; he did not appear in the previous game due to his death. He appeared as a legend in subsequent games.

<i>Sega Soccer Slam</i> 2002 video game

Sega Soccer Slam, also known as simply Soccer Slam, is a sports game released for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in 2002.

<i>Street Racing Syndicate</i> 2004 video game

Street Racing Syndicate is an open world multiplatform racing video game produced by Eutechnyx, and released by Namco on August 31, 2004, for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox and Windows-based personal computers. A separate version of the game was also released for the Game Boy Advance on October 4, 2005. During its release, it was meant to compete against Need for Speed: Underground 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed first game released in 2003.

<i>SpyHunter</i> 2001 video game

SpyHunter is a vehicular combat game released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. It is a remake and sequel of the 1983 arcade game of the same name. It was later ported to GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Windows, Mac OS X, and Tapwave Zodiac. In the game, the player drives the G-6155 Interceptor, an advanced, weaponized spy vehicle. Unlike the original's top-down view, the remake is played with a chase camera, similar to a racing game. The PlayStation 2 version received positive reviews while reception for the ports was mixed. A sequel, SpyHunter 2, was released in 2003.

<i>V-Rally 3</i> 2002 video game

V-Rally 3 is a racing video game developed by Eden Studios and published by Infogrames Europe. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance platforms in 2002, and ported to the Xbox, GameCube, and Microsoft Windows in 2003.

<i>Burnout Dominator</i> 2007 video game

Burnout Dominator is a 2007 racing video game developed by EA UK and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It retains the core gameplay of the series, as players race at top speeds through dozens of World Tour events testing "reckless skill-based" driving techniques.

<i>Rocky</i> (2002 video game) 2002 video game

Rocky is a fighting video game published by Rage Software and released in 2002. The game is based on the Rocky franchise.

<i>IndyCar Series</i> (video game) 2003 video game

IndyCar Series is a racing simulator developed by Brain in a Jar and published by Codemasters. The game was released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows. The game is based on the 2002 Indy Racing League. A sequel to the game, IndyCar Series 2005, was released in 2004 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows based on the 2003 IndyCar Series.

References

  1. Cove, Glen (3 October 2002). "Burnout 2 Ships". Archived from the original on 20 August 2004.
  2. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Platinum PS2". Games Market. Archived from the original on 20 September 2004. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. Cove, Glen (8 April 2003). "Burnout 2 Game Cube Ships". Archived from the original on 12 August 2004.
  4. Cove, Glen (1 May 2003). "Burnout 2 Xbox Ships". Archived from the original on 20 August 2004.
  5. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Gameplanet . Archived from the original on 30 June 2003. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  6. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Gameplanet . Archived from the original on 16 July 2003. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Eurogamer.net. 8 October 2002.
  8. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Eurogamer.net. 4 June 2003.
  9. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". 3 April 2003.
  10. Becker, Erich (14 January 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (2002)". Entertainmentopia. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Burnout 2: Point of Impact for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Burnout 2: Point of Impact for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Burnout 2: Point of Impact for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  14. Edge staff (November 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". Edge . No. 116.
  15. EGM staff (June 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 168. p. 80. Archived from the original on 14 May 2004. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  16. EGM staff (December 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 162. p. 202. Archived from the original on 1 January 2004. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  17. EGM staff (July 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 169. p. 121. Archived from the original on 31 January 2004. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  18. Reed, Kristan (8 October 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". Eurogamer . Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  19. Reed, Kristan (4 June 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  20. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". Famitsu . Vol. 799. 9 April 2004.
  21. Helgeson, Matt (May 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (GC)". Game Informer . No. 121. p. 85. Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  22. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 115. November 2002. p. 124.
  23. Helgeson, Matt (June 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 122. p. 113. Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  24. Dan Elektro (30 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  25. Major Mike (3 October 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 12 February 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  26. Major Mike (8 May 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 8 February 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  27. Gerstmann, Jeff (4 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review (GC)". GameSpot . Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  28. 1 2 Gerstmann, Jeff (1 October 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  29. Gerstmann, Jeff (28 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  30. Williams, Bryn (24 April 2003). "GameSpy: Burnout 2: Point of Impact (GCN)". GameSpy. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  31. 1 2 Murphy, Kevin (16 November 2002). "GameSpy: Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". GameSpy. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  32. Williams, Bryn (26 April 2003). "GameSpy: Burnout 2: Point of Impact -- Developer's Cut (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  33. Tha Wiz (25 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact – GC – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  34. Bedigian, Louis (20 October 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact – PS2 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  35. Raymond, Justin (21 May 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact – Developer's Cut – XB – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  36. Mirabella III, Fran (3 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (GCN)". IGN. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  37. 1 2 Perry, Douglass C. (24 September 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  38. Goldstein, Hilary (28 April 2003). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review (Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  39. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Nintendo Power . Vol. 169. June 2003. p. 137.
  40. Davison, John (December 2002). "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . Archived from the original on 8 January 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  41. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Official Xbox Magazine . July 2003. p. 82.
  42. 1 2 3 Robischon, Noah (18 July 2003). "Driving Forces". Entertainment Weekly . No. 719. p. 82. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  43. The Editors of GameSpot (3 May 2003). "GameSpot's Month in Review: April 2003". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 13 November 2004.
  44. "Burnout 2: Point of Impact". Eurogamer.net. 8 October 2002.
  45. "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Burnout 2: Point of Impact". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  46. EDGE presents: The 100 Best Videogames (2007). United Kingdom: Future Publishing. 16 August 2020. p. 56.