Burnout Paradise [X360]

Your car is going to get messed up. If there was one thing to take away from EA's presentation of Burnout Paradise -- that is beyond all the street names, easy D-Pad online system and snapshot photos that they rehashed from E3 -- it's that your car is going to get screwed up in this game, and you're going to love it.

While Matt Webster, creative director for Burnout paradise, gave a small gathering of reporters the lowdown on 2008's next big car game, his partner drove a blue Mustang around the streets of Paradise City. The car scraped some parked cars, plowed into taillights and took jumps that seriously damaged the stability of its suspension.

Then Webster had the driver stop and walked the room through what had happened to the ride from a structural standpoint. There were individual scratches on the sides, the exhaust system was hanging on by a threat, and the crumpled hood had sacrificed the overall well being of the ride and the roof was beginning to cave in from the domino damage effect.

"There's a huge amount of physic simulation there, but it's just damn cool to look at," Webster said.

Who knew a jacked-up car could be so impressive.

As Webster's presentation continued and we got to see Burnout in action, it was clear the whole package was meant to knock socks off feet. Like we said before, a majority of the information was already known from E3 (slow-motion, cinematic scenes when you total your car; Road Rules that keep the best times for each of the 65 streets; etc.), but there was still enough bells and whistles to keep the most enthused Burnout fan happy.

As the cars sped around the city, we were treated to the fact that as long as you land on your wheels your car will be okay after insane jumps, there are 120 events that are started by stopping at traffic lights, and body shops will always be represented on your radar.

These body shops will be a pretty big deal for those who like a pretty car. EA wants you to have a seamless, fun experience with Burnout, so when you want your car to get fixed, all you have to do is drive it through one of the stands. It'll instantly come out on the other side in mint condition.

A ticker will keep you updated on how your friends are faring on the streets, you can drive until you're blue in the face and there's even a series of power parking -- think slamming the handbrake and swinging into a spot -- challenges for you to get crazy with.

Burnout Paradise races to stores in 2008. Buckle up.

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