Burnout CRASH!

Here you go, way too fast. Don’t slow down, you’re going to crash! And since that is the big explosive point to Burnout Crash, there really isn’t a more fitting soundtrack than that. The game takes one element from the franchise and stretches it in a top-down arcade game for repetitive fun times, complete with retro music vibes.

As mentioned, the cartoony vibe gets viewed from above, where players need to steer their car into one of various intersections. While the colorful outlook may seem friendly, it’s all about explosions, pile ups and destruction in this game. That, combined with the samples from songs the likes of ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and ‘Gold’ from Spandau Ballet, makes for a true cacophony that actually does work. Much like arcades or fairgrounds, this seizure of lights and sound give off a pinball feel that serves its purpose well in this pinball-like game. Unfortunately, it is also narrated by some rather annoying voices, which can test the nerves when replaying levels.

The main control of the game comes right after crashing into traffic. With aftertouch, the car sets off an explosion and tries to either blow up its surroundings, stop traffic from passing or perhaps create some special effects. Cars can be blown into other vehicles for a skillshot or a chain reaction of explosions can give a multiplied score, amongst other effects. Any locale has a variety of houses, special cars and items that can be destroyed for additional points, so it’s not only traffic that matters. In the end, players need to rack up as many points as possible to obtain a high score, while also completing certain goals to unlock stars and level up.

Burnout Crash has 3 modes, being Road Trip, Rush Hour and Pile Up. In the first mode, players need to stop traffic from passing until a Super Feature is unlocked that wrecks total destruction on the intersection. Intervals between this feature also unlock special features with a wide array of effects. For instance, a gas tanker can come onto the intersection and create a huge explosion or a blizzard can make the roads extra slippery for extra wipeouts. There are a ton of features, from just vehicles to environmental elements, which keeps gameplay exciting at all times. But if 5 cars pass the destruction and leave the intersection, the game is over and points are tallied then and there. Also, the Special Features force is determined by how many cars were let through.

In Rush Hour, it doesn’t matter how many cars pass by; the only goal is creating as much carnage as possible in 90 seconds time. During this carmageddon, Pizza Trucks will pass that need to be stopped to unlock a wheel of pizza fortune, which yields a random special feature. After the 90 seconds are over, the chosen vehicle sets off one more time with an extra potent explosion, so positioning somewhere where tons of carnage can be done is vital. This mode is swift and easy and is the most instantly gratifying, as the least amount of effort needs to be done.

In Pile Up, players need to make sure to top the limited amount of traffic, after which inferno starts. The potency of inferno is determined by how many cars were passed, but the main goal is to burn everything in sight. By using aftertouch to explode, the goal is to keep any fire going, lest a timer would count down to zero. This can be rather tricky to play and choosing a car according to the intersection is vital to success.

One of the more complex intersections in Burnout Crash!

By leveling, players can unlock new features and cars, which differ in aftertouch maneuverability and strength. And while that does serve its purpose, it seems more of a means to an end to accomplish certain goals on given intersections. In reality, the only thing that keeps things going is the repetitive, but just plain fun gameplay mechanic of blowing things up. It might not be a game changer, but it was definitely one of the most entertaining things in past Burnout iterations and that hasn’t changed now.

While Burnout Crash might not excel at variation; the simple but effective and fun gameplay of the 3 game modes does more than enough to be enjoyable. The pinball-arcade feel to the game is just plain fun to mess around in and blow things up time and again without becoming bored of it. It’s a good way to waste some time for any fan of family-friendly explosions.

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)