Burnout 2: Point of Impact

by Acclaim Video Games

Product Features

• Get behind the wheel of 14 all-new vehicles, as you race in 30 new stages from Miami to the Rockies
• Unlock secret racers like 1950's hot rods, police cars and stock cars as you race in all-new game modes
• Check out the new point-to-point races, and Pursuit races where you ram other cars off the road
• Go to Burnout Driving School, where you'll learn Offensive Driving 101
• The new points-based gameplay structure challenges to get ahead by getting points -- that means pulling off crazy stunts and jumps

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006JC46
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 1, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,324 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #75 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Racing

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

A sequel which, like its acclaimed predecessor, puts fun right at the top of the agenda, Burnout 2 dispenses with niggling irritants like realism and instead delivers top-class gaming entertainment. So what’s new? Added locations for starters, and the highlights are a twisty road round the Rocky Mountains and an inspired airport-based level. A greater variety of vehicles are available too, and naturally enough you have to balance your need for speed with a vehicle capable of good handling, taking into account the weather and the kind of level you’re racing across.

Yet ultimately, the core of Burnout 2 is still arcade-style racing, and frankly there’s little else that does it better. Burnout 2 is incredibly accessible and an absolute blast to play, whether you’re competing through the suitably enhanced single-player options or hooking up with friends--it’s completely irresistible. Visually, the game looks great and moves very, very quickly. The action too is interspersed with elaborate crashes, and when you do hit something you shouldn’t, at least you’re rewarded with an action replay for your trouble.

Negatives? Genuinely very few. Those who prefer their driving games flavored with a bit more realism are going to be happier with a Gran Turismo game than this, and in spite of some good improvements and additions, there aren’t enormous differences between this and the original, despite the fact that a lot more has been added to it.

These are nothing more than very minor niggles though. Easily one of the most downright enjoyable games of recent times, Burnout 2 is an exemplary piece of gaming entertainment, and a welcome antidote to the growing band of games that just take themselves far too seriously. Treat yourself. You’ll be glad you did. --Simon Brew

Product Description

In Burnout 2: Point of Impact takes you into the world of fast racing, where tenths of a second can be the differences between life & death! All this plus the realistic crashes that made the first Burnout such a hit!

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leaves the original in the dust, October 4, 2002

By 

flaviolius (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Video Game)

Burnout, Criterion's original traffic-weaving arcade racer, was a hit-and-miss affair with many. It delivered an intense racing experience, but was marred by short length, fuzzy graphics, and annoying crash replays. However, Criterion has taken all complaints into account, and delivered their masterpiece: Burnout 2 - Point of Impact. It looks better and is deeper, but retains the same magnetic gameplay of the first game. Burnout 2 is one of the best games on the system, and is one of the best arcade racers to come along in a long time.

The first thing you'll notice is the graphical upgrade. Anyone who thinks the PS2 is underpowered should look at what Criterion's been able to coax out of it. Burnout 2 is filled with visual beauty: lens flares, weather effects, beautifully rendered car models, lifelike tracks brimming with ambient activity and traffic, and wince-causing crashes. The roads are choked with traffic, each moving independently (Criterion says there are several different types of AI behavior now). All this at a screaming 60 frames per second...without an ounce of slowdown - even in multiplayer. When you consider the detail, the speed, and the amount of moving objects on the screen at any one time, Burnout 2 is one of the best-looking games on the PS2. Criterion and its Renderware tool deserve some serious praise for what they've accomplished.

But games aren't all graphics, are they? Burnout 2 has some of the most enjoyable, adrenaline-pumping gameplay you'll find. The premise is simple: race AI-controlled opponents as fast as you can, along checkpoint-riddled courses overflowing with traffic which serves no purpose except to get in your way. Weaving amongst the logging trucks, passenger cars, and buses, time running out, AI on your tail....what a rush. The CPU cars aren't perfect, either - they'll crash as often as you do, making the races much more realistic and forgiving. Go too slow, and you'll miss the next checkpoint, losing the race - the game WANTS you to take risks, and constantly rewards you for it. If you should be unlucky enough to hit another car, be ready for a ferociously portrayed impact. However, the replays have been much shortened from the first game - one short replay and you're back on the track in no time.

Another complaint that's been addressed is the lack of modes. Burnout 2 sports a training mode called Offensive Driving 101, which teaches you the advantages of power-sliding, jumping, driving against traffic, getting Near Misses, etc - all of which fill your Burnout meter. When full, you can access a speed boost that'll launch you into serious high-g territory, complete with screen blur and a soundtrack change. Drain your meter without crashing and you get a score multiplier. Time Attack is exactly what you'd expect - try and set your best lap/course times. Pursuit Mode is also new - you're a police car chasing another vehicle, with no other purpose but to ram it into submission...while avoiding traffic yourself. Do so, and you'll unlock the car for the other modes. None of the cars are licensed - not surprising when you consider the twisted hunks of metal they become - but it's easy to see their source of inspiration (i.e. the Classic is obviously an old-school Caddy...and you can choose to make it pink!).

A brilliant new mode is called simply Crash. Criterion's smart - it knew it had a great creation with its impact engine, but fully including it in the main racing modes disrupted the flow of the races. Enter Crash mode, in which you're given a few seconds, a full Boost meter, and a busy intersection just ahead. Here, the object is to cause the biggest traffic accident you can. After you throw yourself into motor mayhem, you're treated to an ego-indulging, overhead, slo-motion replay, and you're given a final score (in insurance dollars). Plus, wreck five cars at once, and your total is multiplied by five. This mode is a stroke of genius that's huge fun with friends, in an un-ending competition to wreak the most havoc.

Championship Mode is similar to the original Burnout: progress along a series of races, unlocking cars and new courses as you go, but in Burnout 2, you're given a points system rather than the rigid "You Must Finish First To Advance" rules of the first. Burnout 2's single-player mode is longer than before, but still has the same difficulty level. Driving game vets will be able to jump in and unlock stuff right away. But once you unlock everything, you'll most likely leave Championship behind - the real replay value of Burnout is in the multiplayer and Time Attack modes (plus a couple other worthwhile secret ones!).

Burnout 2: Point of Impact is a thrill freak's dream. It's the fastest game on the PS2, looks gorgeous, has great sound, and packs tons of replay value. If you liked the original, you'll love the second - case closed. If you passed on the first, Point of Impact is definitely worth looking at, because all the gripes you mave have had have been fixed, and the new modes make Burnout 2 quite an attractive package. As the AAA-title-swamped end of 2002 approaches, Burnout 2 may get lost amongst higher-profile titles, but as of October, it's without a doubt my pick for Game of the Year...and I'm not really a huge fan of racing games.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Car Game Since Gran Turismo 3!, November 24, 2002

By 

Thomas Newman (Taylorsville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Video Game)

Burnout 2 is such a good game. When I got it, I wasn't expecting such good graphics and detail. You start out having to do Offensive Driving 101, and then after completing that, you begin the game. It has a "Crash" mode where the whole point is to rack up collateral damage. There are regular championship races, and when you get all gold medals in a championship, it unlocks a face off, where you race a car for the right to drive it, or a pursuit, where you use a cop car to total the other car so you can race it. After you complete the championships, a new mode opens up called custom chapionship. In that, you race souped up cars in a fast and the furious like manner, especially with the whole nitrous thing. Nitrous plays a big part in Burnout. You get it by dodging cars, drifing, catching air, and driving in oncoming traffic. Burnout's crashes are awsome because car parts fly everywhere and it activates a special camera that plays in slow motion to capture the full terror of the crash. This game is a must-buy for everyone because it is a good single player and multipayer game. You just can't go wrong with Burnout 2.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Racing Titles Ever!, October 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Burnout 2: Point of Impact (Video Game)

I just can't say enough about this game. If you liked the first Burnout or are looking for an amazing gaming experience this is the game for you. Awesome visuals a 60fps framerate and rocking gameplay will have you in front of your PS2 for hours on end. I just picked this game up today and have been playing for 4 hours straight.

The many modes in Burnout 2 are great. You have the normal Championship mode, Time Attack, Single Race, Pursuit where you play a cop trying to ram the baddies off the road ala Chase HQ, and then the ultimate mode of any game CRASH. In crash mode you strategically crash your car into an onslaught of other cars to cause as much damage as possible.

I have just started playing this game, but can honestly say that it will be in my PS2 for a long time to come.