Burnout Legends Review - PSP

8.5

Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 9
Audio: 8
Multiplayer: 8
Innovation: 7

Criterion is one of these companies that can do no wrong. Having been purchased from EA they produced the sublime Burnout 3, followed up recently by Burnout Revenge. Not wanting to keep portable fans waiting, it was no surprise when Criterion and EA announced a Burnout game for PSP. Australians haven't had to wait to long after the launch of the system to get their hands on this gem, unlike our international counterparts but either way this really is one of the few must have PSP games despite it's familiar territory.

The best way to describe Burnout Legends is Burnout 3 on the PSP. If you didn't like Burnout 3 you're not going to like Legends, but then again you probably wouldn't like Revenge either. There is a few changes since the console version of the game but overall it replicates it quite well. There is no storyline in Legends just race or crash your way through a number of levels and unlock new cars. Sounds simple and it is, but thats exactly what you want in a game which is entirely focused on pure unadulterated arcade racing.

Gameplay

Burnout Legends contains a number of game modes although it can be cut down to about four; race, revenge, pursuit and eliminator. Each of these offer a unique gaming experience and of course the crash mode does return. Race is fairly self explanatory, Revenge is takedown mode from Burnout 3, Pursuit returns from Burnout 2 and puts you in the role of the long arm of the law and eliminator which is basically last man standing. It's nothing new or innovative but it suit's the pick up and play aspects of Sonys machine very well indeed.

The cool thing about this game is it has a strong distinction in the interface between crash and race modes. You no longer have to finish crash modes to unlock more cars for race and vice versa. Personally i'm not a huge fan of crash mode especially with the load times of the PSP game but it does offer something to do quickly on a short trip. For those who don't know what crash mode is just think one giant sandpit with a souped up car and many things to trash and cause havoc with.

For those who have played Burnout 3, Legends may seem a little over familiar. Many of the tracks have been retained from the console game but considering they were so good in the first place that is not an issue. What perhaps is an issue is that the Burnout 4 enhancements such as traffic attack have not been included. Obviously they just wanted to put a quality game out but basing out on a twelve month old game will harm it's longevity especially for those who have conquered three and now moved onto Revenge. I wouldn't recommend buying both Legends and Revenge, just choose the one you would play more and go with that, they are to similar and released around the same time.

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