Conclusion
After looking at the test data, our conclusion is simple: Burnout Paradise is not only drop-dead gorgeous, but it’s also very easy on the hardware.
To run the game at 1920x1200 with 8x MSAA applied, you only need a graphics card as powerful as a GeForce 9600 GT or better. A Core 2 Duo running at about 2.5 GHz can supply 60 FPS while a triple- or quad-core CPU, such as the Phenom II or Core 2 Quad, could probably do the job at 2.0 GHz or faster.
These are not monster specifications when it comes to 1920x1200 gaming with high AA. And if you’re running an HTPC with a 720p display, you can handle 4x MSAA with only a Radeon HD 4650.
The fact that the game is so hardware-friendly is impressive and speaks to how well optimized the Burnout Paradise engine really is. Kudos to Criterion Games for not only making an extremely playable and fun game, but for making a title that is so easy to run on common hardware.
The only downside we can see to this title is that it looks as though the SSAO feature was never properly implemented. The dark halos on the telephone wires and the like are so distracting that they completely offset the benefits of SSAO in the first place. But the good news is that the game is still visually immersive, even without the feature enabled, especially since 8xMSAA is so accessible.
If you’re a racing fan with a PC and haven’t had a chance to buy this game for your console, you owe it to yourself to give the demo a download on your PC and try it out.
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How are you supposed to compare graphics quality using a GIF?!?
Could you not have had multiple high quality JPEGs next to each other?
EA = DRM title = No sale.
The game isn't that great. I alway found it annoying having to search out races. If you've only got a few mins to spare it's nice to be able to jump it and get going.
Race Driver: Grid anyday!
I always loved the Burnout series and always promised myself a copy when it appeared on the PC. I bought it the other day and I was immediately impressed with the gameplay and graphical prowess, esp considering my rig.
Core 2 E6400 @ 2.1Ghz (One of the first versions)
2GB Ram (I think one of the slowest clocked DDRII)
and a
Geforce 7900GS 512MB
I thought I was going to have to drop the settings to the floor to play it, but they are quite comfortably on medium/medium high - admittedly on 1280 * 1024 res. But on a 17" monitor do I need a higher res?
Still, for £30 you can't go far wrong. It has me coming back every night for a quick blast - with jaw dropping graphical moments every time.
Cookie
I tried the demo way before this article. Not my cup of tea. Too "arcady" for my liking. I didn't like the feel of the cars, camera angles and the damage....tbh I don't think that anything can beat GRID on the pc right now. Ok you cannot cruise around but it's all down to what you looking for.
GRID is the ultimate arcade racer for the PC at the moment, if u want SIM then ur tlking GTR series.....
Burnout is a different game when compared to GRID.
GRID is pretty much a simulator, with some arcade elements.
Burnout is about the thrill of speed, and the resulting crashes - not much else. A game for someone looking for pure fun!
Race Driver: Grid anyday!
The chasis crunching gorgeousness of a head on inpact with a brick wall at full throttle easily passes the joy and frustration of driving the LeMans in Grid.
Burnout wins in the Jump in and Go stakes. Just blasting round the city without furthering any set goals is fun in itself.
The fact that the game runs well on lots of hardware can be taken 2 ways: either it is a good engine (as the article says) or conversly the level or detail is not as high as other PC games, coming as it does, from consoles originally. Although the Xbox360 & PS3 look good, we have to remember that they soon fall behind the PC in terms of graphics processing.