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.
3. Improved Graphics and Performance
The remaster brings noticeable improvements in visuals, including higher-resolution textures, better lighting, and improved draw distances. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second on modern consoles, making the high-speed chases feel even more fluid. While the graphical upgrades don’t bring it to the level of a modern AAA racing title, they do help Burnout Paradise feel more polished and visually appealing on current hardware.
On PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, the game benefits from faster load times, ensuring players can jump into the action almost instantly. The improved performance makes an already fast-paced game even more enjoyable.
4. All DLC Included
One of the major selling points of Burnout Paradise Remastered is the inclusion of all previously released DLC. This means players have access to additional vehicles, including legendary cars inspired by real-world icons, motorcycles, and the Big Surf Island expansion, which adds an entirely new area to explore.
For those who never played the original DLC, this package makes the remaster a more complete experience right from the start. The added variety of vehicles and events extends the game’s longevity, offering plenty of content for both newcomers and returning players.
5. Online Multiplayer and Social Features
The online multiplayer mode, which was a standout feature in the original, returns in the remaster. Players can seamlessly join friends in Freeburn mode, where they can compete in challenges, races, and stunt competitions. The ability to invite friends and instantly transition between solo and multiplayer modes keeps the experience engaging.
The social aspects of Burnout Paradise—such as seeing friends’ best stunt scores or fastest times—add a layer of friendly competition. The online integration remains as smooth as it was in the original, making multiplayer an enjoyable component of the remaster.
The Weaknesses of Burnout Paradise Remastered
1. Dated UI and Navigation
While Burnout Paradise Remastered brings many improvements, it also retains some of the original’s flaws. One of the most glaring issues is the lack of a traditional restart option for races. If you fail or make a wrong turn, you’re forced to manually drive back to the starting location—a design choice that feels outdated and unnecessarily frustrating.
Additionally, the in-game map and navigation system remain clunky. There is no clear waypoint system, and players must rely on blinking street signs for guidance. While this approach encourages memorization of the city, it can lead to moments of confusion, especially for newcomers who aren’t yet familiar with Paradise City’s layout.
2. No Substantial Gameplay Enhancements
Although the remaster improves graphics and includes all DLC, it doesn’t introduce any significant gameplay changes or quality-of-life improvements. Players expecting refinements to the mechanics, such as better AI balancing or improved crash physics, may be disappointed.
This means that while Burnout Paradise Remastered is a fantastic way to experience the game in its best form, it doesn’t necessarily modernize it in ways that could have made it feel fresh for returning players.
3. Lack of Variety in Race Types
While the game offers a solid variety of challenges, the event types can become repetitive over time. The core modes—races, Road Rage (takedown events), and Stunt Runs—remain fun but don’t offer much in the way of innovation compared to modern racing games.
The absence of traditional circuit races and the reliance on open-world navigation means some players may feel that the game lacks structured competition. Those accustomed to more traditional racing experiences might find themselves wishing for a little more variety in event design.
4. AI Can Be Inconsistent
The AI opponents in Burnout Paradise Remastered can sometimes feel inconsistent. In some races, they behave unpredictably, taking routes that seem unintuitive or making abrupt turns that can lead to unexpected crashes.
While the unpredictability adds to the chaotic nature of the game, it can also be frustrating when AI drivers appear to make erratic moves that feel unfair. The balance between aggressive racing and artificial difficulty isn’t always perfect.
Reception and Player Reviews
Upon release, Burnout Paradise Remastered received generally positive reviews from both critics and players. Many praised the game for preserving the exhilarating gameplay of the original while enhancing the visuals and performance. The inclusion of all DLC was a major selling point, making it a worthwhile purchase for both new and returning players.
However, some players expressed disappointment in the lack of gameplay refinements or meaningful improvements to UI and navigation. While the remaster faithfully recreates the original, it also retains its flaws, which may turn off those hoping for a more modernized experience.
Final Verdict: Is Burnout Paradise Remastered Worth It?
Burnout Paradise Remastered successfully recaptures the magic of the original game while bringing it up to modern technical standards. The high-speed racing, explosive crashes, and open-world freedom remain as exhilarating as ever. The graphical enhancements and inclusion of all DLC make this the definitive way to experience Burnout Paradise.
However, the game’s age does show in certain areas, including its UI, lack of a restart feature, and repetitive race types. Players looking for a more structured or refined racing experience may find the game lacking in some aspects.
Ultimately, if you’re a fan of arcade racers or missed out on Burnout Paradise the first time around, the remaster is an excellent way to experience this classic. While it doesn’t reinvent itself, it remains one of the best open-world racing games available today.
Final Score: 8/10 – A thrilling but slightly dated arcade racing experience.