"Blur" combines more than 50 licensed cars and real-world tracks with "Mario Kart"-type power-ups to create a unique racing experience.
The resulting blend of genres creates a unique experience, offering kart-racing fans a sophisticated alternative to the usual kid-friendly fare while also giving sim racers a chance to wreak havoc on their opponents with an assortment of power-ups.
"The body of a sports car, the soul of a kart racer."
No, that isn't the catchy new marketing slogan for the 2011 Kia Rio. It is, however, the best way to describe "Blur," the latest racing offering from "Project Gotham Racing" developer Bizarre Creations.
While the "PGR" franchise was rooted in realism, "Blur" is a fast-paced ride on the arcade side. The power-ups and a heavy emphasis on drifting are reminiscent of more traditional kart racers, but more than 50 licensed cars and racing circuits based on cities line Tokyo and San Francisco give "Blur" a decidedly grown-up feel. The resulting blend of genres creates a unique experience, offering kart-racing fans a sophisticated alternative to the usual kid-friendly fare while also giving sim racers a chance to wreak havoc on their opponents with an assortment of power-ups.
Advancing through the game's career mode is challenging to say the least, as your AI opponents aren't shy about using those same weapons against you. And while I won't go so far as to call the AI cheap, it was unbelievably frustrating to work my way into the lead only to become the target of everyone's high-powered arsenal. After about the fourth time going from first to sixth on the final lap, I was ready to chuck my controller through my TV. Yes, "Blur" will likely test your patience, but it's oh so satisfying to come from the back of the pack and take the checkered flag thanks to some well-timed attacks. That kind of give and take, along with the constant desire to add more fans and collect all of the lights, kept me coming back for more.
Performing -- and finishing -- well in allows you to collect lights and fans, which serve as the game's version of experience points and are needed to advance to the next stage. While the power-ups are over-the-top, "Blur's" core driving game play is rock-solid, with well-tuned car physics and tight controls that make drifting through corners - a must in a game like this - a breeze.
The single-player portion of "Blur" is enjoyable enough, but it is the game's multiplayer that will keep it spinning in many gamers' consoles this summer. Local split-screen play is available for up to four players, and as many as 20 can compete in online races. Dedicated racers can even create custom groups, which lets you tweak race options to your liking and then share them with others online.
No other racing game can match the sheer chaos created by "Blur" when 20 trigger-happy drivers take to the streets in an online race. Many of the same frustrating situations that occurred in the career mode popped up again online, but for some reason they didn't seem to bother me as much there - probably because I was laughing so hard at all of the trash-talking going on during the race.
Despite its sometimes frustrating nature, "Blur" still manages to provide plenty of excitement and, above all, fun. At the end of the day, it offers a little something for racing fans of all types. Sim fans can appreciate the real cars and tracks. Arcade fans will no doubt love all the powered-up mayhem. And everyone should be able to appreciate the chaotic multiplayer racing available online. "Blur" is definitely worth taking for a test drive.
"Blur"
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Activision
Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99)
Rating: E-10 for everyone 10 and up
Score: 7.9/10
"The body of a sports car, the soul of a kart racer."
No, that isn't the catchy new marketing slogan for the 2011 Kia Rio. It is, however, the best way to describe "Blur," the latest racing offering from "Project Gotham Racing" developer Bizarre Creations.
While the "PGR" franchise was rooted in realism, "Blur" is a fast-paced ride on the arcade side. The power-ups and a heavy emphasis on drifting are reminiscent of more traditional kart racers, but more than 50 licensed cars and racing circuits based on cities line Tokyo and San Francisco give "Blur" a decidedly grown-up feel. The resulting blend of genres creates a unique experience, offering kart-racing fans a sophisticated alternative to the usual kid-friendly fare while also giving sim racers a chance to wreak havoc on their opponents with an assortment of power-ups.
Advancing through the game's career mode is challenging to say the least, as your AI opponents aren't shy about using those same weapons against you. And while I won't go so far as to call the AI cheap, it was unbelievably frustrating to work my way into the lead only to become the target of everyone's high-powered arsenal. After about the fourth time going from first to sixth on the final lap, I was ready to chuck my controller through my TV. Yes, "Blur" will likely test your patience, but it's oh so satisfying to come from the back of the pack and take the checkered flag thanks to some well-timed attacks. That kind of give and take, along with the constant desire to add more fans and collect all of the lights, kept me coming back for more.
Performing -- and finishing -- well in allows you to collect lights and fans, which serve as the game's version of experience points and are needed to advance to the next stage. While the power-ups are over-the-top, "Blur's" core driving game play is rock-solid, with well-tuned car physics and tight controls that make drifting through corners - a must in a game like this - a breeze.
The single-player portion of "Blur" is enjoyable enough, but it is the game's multiplayer that will keep it spinning in many gamers' consoles this summer. Local split-screen play is available for up to four players, and as many as 20 can compete in online races. Dedicated racers can even create custom groups, which lets you tweak race options to your liking and then share them with others online.
No other racing game can match the sheer chaos created by "Blur" when 20 trigger-happy drivers take to the streets in an online race. Many of the same frustrating situations that occurred in the career mode popped up again online, but for some reason they didn't seem to bother me as much there - probably because I was laughing so hard at all of the trash-talking going on during the race.
Despite its sometimes frustrating nature, "Blur" still manages to provide plenty of excitement and, above all, fun. At the end of the day, it offers a little something for racing fans of all types. Sim fans can appreciate the real cars and tracks. Arcade fans will no doubt love all the powered-up mayhem. And everyone should be able to appreciate the chaotic multiplayer racing available online. "Blur" is definitely worth taking for a test drive.
"Blur"
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Activision
Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99)
Rating: E-10 for everyone 10 and up
Score: 7.9/10
