Review: Blur

Mike Bantick
Thursday, 17 June 2010 18:37

Entertainment

Let’s start with the bottom line, yes, Blur is Mario Kart dressed in more adult clothing, but this fact makes it no less enjoyable.  Blur is a guilt-free joy-ride full of real-world cars, in real-world environments racing in surreal events.

Developer Bizarre Creations has combined two of its earlier games to pump out Blur.  The game borrows largely from the Xbox exclusive Project Gotham Racing franchise, as well as –believe it or not – the neon frenzy of Geometry Wars, the twin-stick arcade shooter.

Blur
	Developer	Bizzare Creations
	Publisher	Activision
	Rating	PG
Xbox 360, Reviewed on PS3

With slick presentation, featuring cool dark neon lit interface, moody electro-pop soundtrack and pixel burning action, Blur is certainly a heart-beat increasing attraction.

The single player game is structured into compartmentalised groups of challenges, headed by a personality that gives the player certain in-game tasks to complete.  These tasks range from the obvious ‘finish in the top 3 in five events’ to the more whacky such as ‘shunt a car into the water’.  Completing these tasks unlocks a one-on-one challenge to win a specially modded car.

There are three types of racing challenges in Blur: Checkpoint Time Trials has you selecting a vehicle and then going up against the clock, destruction will pit you against inferior AI controlled racers asking to be blown from the track and then there is general racing.

Each challenge is a relatively short shot of action straight into the blood stream, no Le-Mans 23 hour racing here with each event being over in five to ten minutes at most. 

Race tracks vary in terrain, though the distinction is simply one of off-road versus tarmac, with a bit of water action thrown in from time to time.  Locations move from urban city streets to beach-side boulevards, culverts and docks, there is enough variation and secret path hunting here to keep us happy, but it won’t take long to learn the best racing lines through each environment.

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