Burnout 3 Takedown
Game Type: Released
Max Players: 6
Genre: Racing
Developers: Criterion Games
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Cooperative: No
PEGI: 15
Game Overview
Burnout 3: Takedown is a racing video game with arcade style gameplay that emphasises dangerous and fast paced driving. The game features standard circuit races which take place on city streets populated with traffic. During a race, boost, which is earned by acts of reckless driving such as drifting around corners, near misses with traffic, and driving in oncoming lanes, can be used to rapidly increase a car's speed. Boost can be used immediately in Burnout 3, unlike previous Burnout games which required the boost meter to be full. The quickest method for earning boost is a Takedown, a central mechanic introduced in this instalment of the series. A Takedown involves shunting opposing vehicles until they crash. Each one fills the boost meter and can provide an additional boost segment, causing the meter to extend up to four times its initial size. Ramming opponents will cause them to behave more aggressively in return; their level of hostility is indicated by a coloured arrow above their vehicle. When the player crashes or is taken out by an opponent, boost is lost and a bonus boost segment is withdrawn. During the crash sequence, a slow motion mode called Impact Time can be activated. In Impact Time, the Aftertouch mechanic can be used to manoeuvre the wrecked car into an opponent to get a Takedown, which acts as recovery move by negating the penalty of crashing.
The Start of the Race
In Burnout 3: Takedown, players are thrust into an intense world of street racing where speed, precision, and aggression determine success. Unlike traditional racing games, Burnout 3 encourages players to take down their opponents rather than just focus on speed. Set across various tracks worldwide, players race through traffic heavy streets, narrow alleyways, and long highways. Each race is a high octane challenge that tests players’ reflexes and driving skills. By executing near misses, jumps, and other daring maneuvers, players build their boost meter. This boost can be unleashed for faster speeds, allowing them to gain an edge over competitors. From the beginning, the game emphasizes the chaotic and destructive aspects of racing, where causing opponents to crash is as important as crossing the finish line.
Road Rage Mode
One of the most popular modes in Burnout 3: Takedown is Road Rage, where the objective is not only to win the race but to take down as many opponents as possible. Players must knock other cars off the road by ramming, side swiping, or forcing them into obstacles. Each successful takedown adds to the player’s score and refills the boost meter, allowing for even more intense racing. Road Rage mode captures the spirit of the game, as players experience thrilling moments of skill and aggression. In this mode, players encounter increasing levels of difficulty, with rival drivers becoming more aggressive and challenging. The continuous action in Road Rage mode keeps players on their toes, offering endless excitement and opportunities for spectacular crashes.
Crash Mode
Crash Mode in Burnout 3: Takedown allows players to experience the thrill of creating massive pileups in controlled scenarios. Rather than focusing on racing to the finish line, Crash Mode challenges players to cause the most extensive crash possible. Players launch their vehicle into high traffic areas, aiming to maximize destruction and rack up points for every car involved in the wreckage. Strategic thinking is key, as players can trigger explosions, hit bonus targets, and even manipulate aftertouch controls to steer their car mid crash. This mode stands out for its unique gameplay and the sheer spectacle of destruction, offering a break from traditional racing while adding depth to the game.
Boost and Aggression
In Burnout 3, the boost system plays a crucial role in both speed and aggression. Players earn boost by performing dangerous manoeuvres, such as drifting, driving against traffic, or narrowly avoiding other vehicles. Aggressive tactics like takedowns are also rewarded with boost refills, encouraging players to take risks and maintain a fearless approach to racing. The boost adds an intense layer to gameplay, as it allows players to speed past opponents or escape challenging situations quickly. Proper management of boost is essential, as it can mean the difference between victory and defeat. This focus on aggressive driving sets Burnout 3 apart from other racing games and makes each race an adrenaline fuelled experience.
Global Race Locations
Burnout 3 takes players across a range of vibrant and diverse locations worldwide, including cities, mountain ranges, and coastal highways. Each track presents unique obstacles and opportunities for takedowns, with urban environments offering tight turns and heavy traffic, while rural settings provide open roads and scenic backdrops. Players must adapt their driving style to each location, as the terrain and layout can influence strategies for using boost and planning takedowns. The variety of tracks adds depth to the gameplay and ensures that races never feel repetitive. Whether racing through neon lit city streets or scenic coastal roads, the game offers a visual journey alongside its intense action.
Rival AI
The artificial intelligence of rival drivers in Burnout 3 is both aggressive and challenging, making every race a high stakes encounter. Rivals react dynamically to players’ actions, often countering takedowns and performing risky manoeuvres of their own. They will not hesitate to ram, cut off, or block the player, creating a competitive and unpredictable racing experience. This heightened AI behaviour requires players to stay vigilant, as rivals become increasingly difficult as the game progresses. The AI’s relentless drive to win creates a realistic sense of rivalry, where each opponent feels like a unique challenge. The rival AI adds to the intensity and keeps players engaged from start to finish.
The Impact of Crashes
Crashes are central to the excitement of Burnout 3: Takedown, with each collision causing dramatic visual effects and adding weight to the gameplay. When a player crashes, the screen slows down to highlight the impact, showing shattered glass, bent metal, and exploding parts. These moments of destruction are both visually spectacular and strategically significant, as crashes can affect players’ positions in the race. Additionally, the aftertouch feature lets players guide their wreckage into nearby vehicles, potentially causing additional crashes and earning extra points. Crashes are not simply failures but integrated parts of gameplay, making each race a thrilling balance between speed and risk.
Multiplayer Mayhem
Burnout 3: Takedown offers a robust multiplayer experience, allowing players to compete against friends in various game modes. Multiplayer racing includes the same high speed, takedown focused gameplay as single player, with the added challenge of competing against human opponents. Road Rage and Crash Mode are particularly popular in multiplayer, as players can work together or compete to cause the most destruction. The multiplayer component enhances the game’s replay value, as no two races are ever the same with human players. The competitive nature of multiplayer brings out the best in Burnout 3, offering countless hours of intense and unpredictable racing action.
Overall Legacy
Burnout 3: Takedown remains a classic in the racing genre, known for its innovative approach to arcade racing and destruction focused gameplay. Its unique combination of high speed racing, intense takedowns, and chaotic crashes has influenced many games that followed. The game’s ability to blend aggression with traditional racing elements creates an experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. Burnout 3’s legacy lives on, remembered for pushing the boundaries of racing games and redefining what a racing game could be. It stands as a testament to the creativity and vision of its developers, securing its place as a beloved title in gaming history.
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