Burnout Paradise [X360]

On July 14, Xbox 360 owners with Burnout Paradise will be given a free update that adds new content, fixes, and game modes. Head here for the complete details on what it includes. While those in Xbox 360 land will have to wait just a bit longer for the update, the download has already been released on the PlayStation Network. To get an advance trial run of sorts, we booted up the trusty PS3 and gave Burnout Paradise a spin with the new content.

This free update is actually something closer to a patch than a proper content update. There are two new cars with four new liveries and 70 added Freeburn Challenges, but the major updates are things that should have been in the game from the beginning. The three new game modes are Freeburn online versions of things that the offline game already has. The Cagney Pack adds Road Rage, Stunt Run and Marked Man to the list of Freeburn challenges the host can activate at anytime.

Road Rage is a team game where half the contestants race from one checkpoint to the next while the other half try to take them down. Marked Man is similar, but it's everyone against one poor sap who has to reach the finish line intact. Stunt Run is similar to the offline game where you attempt to rack up as many stunt points as possible before the time runs out. Once the timer runs out, things don't end until everyone has crashed. The cool part is that once you're out, you can race around and try to take down other drivers who are still adding to their points. Taking them down quickly can be the difference between winning or being overtaken in the standings. This last mode is easily my favorite of the three additions.

Though these are probably modes that should have existed from the beginning, they do add another reason to hop into a Freeburn lobby and cruise through Paradise City. If nothing else, they should get you back into the game in advance of the two big downloadable updates coming later this year that will add motorcycles, a day/night cycle and a whole new island.

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