Blur

By Jay Williams

Blur is the latest offering by video game developers Bizarre Creations who are best known by their work on Project Gotham Racing.

Blur can be best described as Mario Kart for the new age, only this time it's more grown up. It offers some fierce racing mixed in with some serious tactics.

Starting of with career mode, Blur gives you the freedom to proceed as you please with various goals for you to complete. As you complete these tasks you gain lights and fan points. Lights are acquired by finishing in the top three and completing goals while fan points are earned on the track by drafting or wrecking enemy cars along with over various maneuvers.

Each race has a fan run icon scattered somewhere on the track, hitting one of these initiates a sequence which challenges you to weave your way through a series of check points, complete this challenge and you get extra fan points. In addition there are also fan demands which sees you completing random tasks set by the fans.

Career mode offers over 60 events for you to compete in, these events are separated into nine groups which unlock with the more lights you gain. The beauty of this method of progression is that you don't have to fully complete every event to progress.

Events range from destruction to check point runs. Destruction events see you racing around a track collecting powers and wrecking as many cars as possible before your time runs out while check point runs are a more traditional style of racing.

Each group is concluded by a rival or boss event which you can challenge once you've gained enough lights for that event. Boss challenges can be won by either completing the race in first place or by simply hitting your rivals car with enough fire power to wreck their car - I prefer the latter. Defeating your rival unlocks their car for you to use in races along with a special power up mod that upgrades your abilities.

In addition to the diverse range of racing events there is an equally diverse range of tracks spread across 14 different locations ranging from L.A to San Francisco to the streets of Barcelona and Japan. Course designs range from hill climbs to open plane driving with some tracks even featuring huge jumps and short cuts.

It may be a minor flaw in what is a fun and exciting racer, but I found that when you spun out the game automatically resets your car leaving you well behind your competition, it was a little harsh in my opinion.

Overall career mode offers up some fierce racing with unforgiving A.I enemies that give the racing action a sense of urgency.

In game achievements are represented by stickers, many have multiple challenges to complete, some are reward by posting your travels on social networking channels like facebook. This integration of console gaming and social networking is a great idea and works well – it's probably the best way to brag to your friends about your high scores.

Blur features over 50 licensed cars that all have different driving characteristics. They range from a beat up Volkswagen beetle to super sports cars like the Dodge Viper. Cars are divided into four classes ranging from D class all the way to A class. Only certain cars can be used in certain events.

Online racing offers up a diverse range of challenges, entry to matches in based on your online rank . With racers range from 10-player to 20-player and modes such as motor mash and battle areas there isn't a shortage of action. The progressive ranking system works well and rewards gamers the more they play. Blur also features 4-player split-screen action for when you've got your mates over.

Blur is an addictive and competitive racer that focuses on skilled driving and tactical use of power ups. It offers up a great balance between truly chaotic combat and racing. Mix that fun gameplay with the sleek styling of the cars and the polished explosions, and you've got one solid game in Blur.

Game: Blur
System: Xbox 360
Online: Yes
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Distributor:  Activision

Rating: 75%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)