Help getting into Burnout Paradise

[jpublic]

I recently picked up Burnout Paradise, but I'm having some difficulty getting into it. The fact that they just drop you in and say 'here's the city, have fun' is somewhat overwhelming. I tried a couple challenges and got screwed, and I'm really lost.

I *want* to like this game. I can just feel that it's chock full of fun, but I'm having trouble getting anywhere.

Can anyone give me some guidance on how to get started?

[pomeroy]

Take it to the game store and trade it in for Burnout Revenge.

[Kielaran]

Start out with the Road Rage events. That way you don't need to worry about routes so much as about just hitting things and getting a feel for the controls.
When doing a race or marked man challange, pause the game and look at the map. You can check out possible routes besides the one given. It will get easier as it goes on.
Save stunt runs for later on, once you have a feel for doing tricks and where the easiest place to rack up the points is.
Understand the car differences, how the type differences work, and when to use which one for a particular situation. If you have questions about that, say so and I will elaborate.
Do some driving with no goal. As you collect the breakables, you will get to learn the game and areas better. It is also a nice break from doing events.

Just a few tips. I am sure there are people around here that can give you better direction than me, though.

[biosc1]

Do some driving with no goal. As you collect the breakables, you will get to learn the game and areas better. It is also a nice break from doing events..



This for sure. I haven't played much, but I usually drive around finding short cuts. When I do enter a race, I do not really expect to win, but it does usually bring me to an area I haven't been before, which I then explore. If I do win, all the better.

Checking the map while racing is key. Just bring it up and figure out where you're going to turn next. Make the turn, then bring the map back up and chart out your next turn. Eventually, you'll start to recognize the streets.

[Dukefrukem]

what system?

[BlackPete]

Definitely agree that simply driving around is the best way to start. Don't stress yourself out by trying to follow some kind of a mission/goal/whatever when you're already trying to familiarize yourself with the controls and the city.

Hell there's still a couple of things you can do while just driving around freely: Try and find as many shortcuts and uber jump spots as you can.

[Mortis]

Quick tip, the game will alert you to suggested turns by the car blinker flashing+making a sound and the street sign flashing. Granted it is hard to notice these things at like 200 mph in the better cars, but it can be helpful sometimes.

As biosc1 said you must use the map to be successful in a lot of the races. Take your time and start unlocking some cars, you will get comfortable with everything soon enough.

[Deadend]

The Trick to Paradise is to just relax. Don't aim to complete it, just kick back and enjoy the feel of the game.

That said I wish there were barriers in some races, as I have been in first place by 10 or 15 seconds, but miss a turn and lose.. right before the end of a 6 minute race.

[Gorvi]

That said I wish there were barriers in some races, as I have been in first place by 10 or 15 seconds, but miss a turn and lose.. right before the end of a 6 minute race.
That right there is my main problem with the game.

I just played it for the first time this past weekend and it just frustrated the shit out of me. I don't want to feel like I have to memorize the city just to race, though just driving around is entertaining.

[Dukefrukem]

I feel the exact opposite. I like how they force you know the city well so you can take the best routes. I hate when they block off streets in NFS.

[Bone]

It's frustrating but always reminded me to pay attention to the landmarks. Eventually you start to know the shortcuts really well, as there are really only a few specific routes that most races build from.

[Purple Santa]

That right there is my main problem with the game.

I just played it for the first time this past weekend and it just frustrated the shit out of me. I don't want to feel like I have to memorize the city just to race, though just driving around is entertaining.
I'm the same. I don't have the memorization skills that some have. Landmarks or not...that's more game time and/or patience I think I will have for this game. Yet, the advice given makes me tempted to pick up this game. I'm still waiting for it to drop in price...but when it hits that price, do I really want it?

[Psykoboy2]

How much further does it have to drop?

It's $20.

[Bone]

I'm the same. I don't have the memorization skills that some have. Landmarks or not...that's more game time and/or patience I think I will have for this game. Yet, the advice given makes me tempted to pick up this game. I'm still waiting for it to drop in price...but when it hits that price, do I really want it?

It's true, some people never found their way around. But like some have suggested, the best way is to get yourself lost in the world and do road rage/takedown events where location isn't important. Knowledge of the map comes naturally and isn't bad if you're not trying to force it.

[Johan]

How much further does it have to drop?

Ten more dollars.

[Purple Santa]

How much further does it have to drop?

It's $20.
Well I have plenty to play at the moment so I can afford to wait. If it was something that I played and needed to play, I would bite. It's just something i'll play and need some time getting accustomed to. For that, I can wait a bit more price wise.

It's true, some people never found their way around. But like some have suggested, the best way is to get yourself lost in the world and do road rage/takedown events where location isn't important. Knowledge of the map comes naturally and isn't bad if you're not trying to force it.
It seems like sound advice. I'll have to try that when eventually i'll grab this. Just at the moment it would be more time consuming than I have time for at the moment.
Ten more dollars.

Yes. At that price I would bite. And by then i'll have the time to spend doing all the above mentioned advice on how to play.

[RandoM51]

When I started the game, I did this:

Spent 2 hours just driving around, finding billboards, barricades, and cool jumps. After I had most of the car handling down, I started events.

1st. Burning routes. Do these to unlock a variety of new cars quickly and most of them are fairly short. Only one of these gave me any real trouble and that was because I was missing two huge shortcuts. Which is important to remember, there are always shortcuts. Instead of bitching about no retry, drive the route backwards, it will reveal shortcuts you didn't see coming the other way.

2nd. Races. Races are simple. Do not crash and you will win.

3rd. Road Rage. By now you should have some pretty durable vehicles, use them for road rage and you shouldn't have any problem.

4th. Marked Man. These can be a bitch. It only takes one spinout/mistake to ruin a run. Just stick with it. There used to be some cheap ways to do these but I didn't use them and don't even know if they still work.

5th. Stunt run. Stunt run was the hardest for me. Unless you're going to copy a run from a faq or something, you really need good map knowledge to string your stunts together and you also need to be pretty good at driving your vehicle. Again, one mistake and you're screwed. Key to this is combining stunts for multiplier. Don't just go over that jump, go over it in a flat spin while crashing through a billboard. Another thing to do is periodically tap boost in between stunts, this will keep your run going. You used to be able to drive backwards to do this too but I found that more trouble than it was worth.

Lastly, once you have the basics of the game down, play online. The various challenges are a great way to uncover some of the better spots for jumps and stunts. Even in pub games you'll usually find somebody willing to walk you through a tough maneuver, and better yet you can sit there in your car and watch him do it from a good vantage point. Make sure you have a mic.

I've avoided playing since the trophy patch came out. If I start I'll get sucked in again until I have the platinum trophy.

[CES]

4th. Marked Man. These can be a bitch. It only takes one spinout/mistake to ruin a run. Just stick with it. There used to be some cheap ways to do these but I didn't use them and don't even know if they still work.



Good tip for the MM challenges. Ignore them till you unlock the big SUV (which is I think, around the time you get halfway through the C license) and complete its Burning Route. The Super Gator version is nigh on invincible, even against the Hunters. Plus it sports one of the best paint jobs in the entire game.

[Wraitheist]

I just got the game, too, and I really like it for the most part. My main complaint is that I'm constantly making wrong turns or missing turns during races. I try to pay attention to the flashing street signs near the compass, but there is so much going on that they are easy to miss. I find myself pausing the game every 30 seconds to plan out my route and that really takes me out of the moment. I love the open world concept, but this is a fairly major downside for me.

[biosc1]

I began playing again last night. I really haven't gotten that far into the game. My main issue is that I keep crashing...like drive/crash, drive/crash...almost got frustrated until I got used to the controls again :o

Then I had fun again :)

[Telefrog]

Gaddamn! Criterion is finally letting us restart races (http://kotaku.com/5137908/free-february-burnout-update-detailed-+-restart)! I may actually take this off my shelf and play it some more.

[Gorvi]

Gaddamn! Criterion is finally letting us restart races (http://kotaku.com/5137908/free-february-burnout-update-detailed-+-restart)! I may actually take this off my shelf and play it some more.
That is exactly what I was thinking. The game truly "comes out" on February 6th. ;)