Burnout 2: Point of Impact Review

So how does racing cars actually work in Burnout 2? It’s really quite simple, and nothing entirely difficult either. If you use the standard control scheme, it will work like most other racing games this generation. The shoulder buttons, the analog stick and the A button will pretty much be all you use for this. The game is eloquently called Burnout for a reason, just like it is Point of Impact. At any given time during a race, no matter which mode, you have a Boost meter to fill. You do this a number of ways. Whether it’s having a near miss with traffic, driving on the side of oncoming traffic, catching air or drifting around a turn, it will fill your meter up. Once you do that and get the “Boost Ok” prompt on the screen, that is your cue to push and hold the A button whenever you wish. Now if you crash, you will lose part of that meter and will have to fill it back up again. But if you don’t, you may use the boost whenever you wish.

So when you feel inclined to do so, push and hold the A button to initiate the insane boost. This will come close to actually doubling your speed, and you will really get a sense of flying in your vehicle. When in a boost, you must be even more careful that you don’t smack into something, but you are treated to an incredible dramatic crashing display if you do. However, if you manage to use up the whole meter, and have done enough actions during the boost that would fill up your meter, you can chain Burnouts together. So yes, once you use up one full boost meter, you achieve a Burnout. It’s actually possible in the game to chain together more than ten Burnouts, given that you don’t crash at all and keep up with actions that would fill up your meter. That of course is no easy task at all, but if you manage to pull it off, you can easily impress your friends and even yourself.

All this in the game is complimented very well by some excellent music and sounds. The musical theme for the game itself is a sort of soft rock kind of atmosphere, and it works extremely well. The opening theme that comes on during the game’s start up is very catchy and memorable. You may very well find yourself bopping your head up and down because it sounds so rhythmic. The cars also sound very realistic too. The ones that have lower acceleration and top speed will probably sound like lemons to you. But the ones with the real hardcore stats will sound like beefed up muscle cars, and hearing that kind of horsepower through stereo is just awesome. Even more impressive is the sounds of your boosting and crashes. When you actually use your boost in the game, it can almost be compared to a jet engine because of how dramatic it sounds. The soft rock theme you also hear in the background when using a boost make the action even more exciting. But crashing is obviously the most adrenaline rushing sound to hear in the game. Whether it’s during an actual race or in Crash Mode, hearing 20 or more vehicles just smash into each other is nothing more satisfying. If you are having a stressful day and need a game to get those frustrations out, here is something perfect for you.

So what is this Crash Mode that has been mentioned so many times? Well quite honestly it’s the one aspect of the game that is really worth a full game purchase. But since the game isn’t published anymore, finding it used is your only option. But even then it’s a major bargain simply because of how much fun it really is. Crash Mode is once again pretty self-explanatory. There are numerous different regions that you can actually work with, as the Crash courses are merely comprised of smaller sections of tracks you’ve raced before. With each region/zone, your goal is to literally and on purpose, crash into any vehicle in such a way that you cause massive amounts of damage that results in several millions of dollars. If you’re really bad, you’re looking at around a half million in damages. But if you have that ever-so-desired monster crash, you’re looking at numbers close to $100 million in damages. This is especially possible in the zones that have a ton of commercial buses, as those boost up your damage total a great deal. So yes, the purpose of Crash Mode is just that, to crash into vehicles and purposely cause millions in damage. It’s ever so satisfying to hear every time, just as it is to simply play.

So with all this, how could the game possibly not have a ton of replay value? You can play with a single friend in single races and pursuits, and have up to four people play the Crash Mode. It’s actually rather convenient for Crash Mode too, as it only requires one controller that you just hand around to the other people depending on the order you’re going. But really, the sheer entertainment you’re likely to gain and feel while playing Burnout 2 is likely to cause hours upon hours worth of replayability. The series, while sometime frustrating, are very fun to go through and beat the living daylights out of your opponents. Pursuits are moderately fun, as you use a car of your choice to chase another, and you have to hit them ten times just like in single player ones. Then you have Crash Mode, which could never get boring, as there’s always a chance for you to break your own record. Not satisfied with that scrawny $10 million record? Go for $30 million or more. Depending on the vehicle you use and where you go, racking up the bigger totals isn’t really that difficult.

Burnout 2: Point of Impact definitely made an impact on this generation. It’s easily one of the best racing games for the GameCube if not the best in terms of overall enjoyment and replay value. Everything about the game is just awesome, which is what has made many other racing franchises like Rush and Gran Turismo just as enjoyable. If you need a stress relief game, get yourself this game and experience Crash Mode. It’s sad that Criterion was bought out by EA and we didn’t get the latest franchise iteration, but we still have this one to always go back to. The cars may not be officially licensed, but they might as well be, and using them however you choose is just plain fun. If you want a great racing game, crash yourself into Burnout 2.