Few racing games have left as significant a mark on the genre as Burnout Paradise, originally released in 2008 by Criterion Games. Known for its exhilarating sense of speed, chaotic crashes, and open-world freedom, it quickly became a fan favorite. A decade later, Burnout Paradise Remastered arrived in 2018, promising an upgraded experience with enhanced visuals, all previously released DLC, and smoother performance across modern hardware. If you are fan of racing games, you can also check Slow Roads.
While the remaster successfully rekindles the high-speed thrills of the original, it also brings along some of its dated mechanics and design choices. In this review, we’ll dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Burnout Paradise Remastered, analyze how it holds up in today’s gaming landscape, and look at how players have responded to its return.
The Strengths of Burnout Paradise Remastered
1. An Open-World Racing Playground
One of the most defining aspects of Burnout Paradise was its open-world approach, which was groundbreaking for arcade racers at the time. Paradise City serves as a sprawling playground filled with high-speed roads, hidden shortcuts, and destructible billboards waiting to be smashed. The sense of freedom remains one of the game’s strongest assets in the remaster.
Players can drive anywhere, initiate events by pulling up to intersections, and seamlessly switch between races, stunt challenges, and takedown battles. This level of choice and exploration was revolutionary in 2008 and still holds up remarkably well in the remaster. The world feels alive, even if it lacks traffic density compared to more modern open-world racers like Forza Horizon.
2. A Pure Arcade Racing Experience
At its core, Burnout Paradise Remastered delivers pure, unfiltered arcade racing bliss. The physics remain as thrilling as ever, with an emphasis on aggressive driving, boosting, and high-speed takedowns. Crashes are a spectacle, with slow-motion cinematics showcasing every crumple and explosion in stunning detail.
The game doesn’t concern itself with realism—this is all about going as fast as possible, taking down opponents in spectacular fashion, and chaining stunts for maximum impact. If you’re looking for a racing game that prioritizes fun over simulation, Burnout Paradise Remastered delivers in spades. Continue reading