Burnout Paradise marked a pretty big departure from previous Burnout games, both in its open-world gameplay and its lack of a Crash Junction mode. However, we felt the game was fantastic, and we’re encouraged that Criterion is continuing to develop new modes for the game months after development.
As we write this, Criterion is in the final testing phases for three new FreeBurn Modes for Burnout Paradise. Electronic Arts was kind enough to send us details about these three new modes, which will be included as part of the game’s “Cagney software update.” While you wait for that update, though, we want to share with you just what EA has sent our way.
Here’s how they work: Just hit the Easydrive menu, set up a Freeburn Game Mode then fire off Online Stunt Run, Marked Man or Road Rage — the names of the three new modes.
Online Stunt Run
- This is 8-player simultaneous online Stunt Run in which everyone competes for the highest score within the two-minute time limit. Racers can play anywhere in Paradise City.
- An on-screen display shows all player scores, so you can easily see how you’re doing.
- Earn multipliers for taking each other out but you lose your combo score, if you’re taken down.
- Eliminated players are grayed-out of the scoring area but can exact revenge by chasing after players that have managed to keep their combos alive beyond the time-out.
- For the first time, you can drive alongside someone as they complete a billion score in Stunt Run
Online Road Rage
- This is an 8-player online team event.
- At the start, everyone chooses their team (red or blue).
- One team of “runners” has to drive to a checkpoint then the finish, and they can only see one checkpoint ahead.
- The other team has to take them down. These guys can see the checkpoint and finish and choose whether to wait and ambush in key locations, shortcut to the action if they get left behind or just follow the pack and cause chaos.
Online Marked Man
- Criterion randomly chooses a “Marked Man.”
- All players wait for the selection to be made, so you want to stay close to other players, so you can hit the Marked Man as soon as he’s selected, yet far enough away that that you can run away if you’re the Marked Man.
- The target is selected and a 90-second timer starts. You get one point if you survive, and one point if you take down the Marked Man. After 90 seconds, a new Marked Man is selected at random.
- If you’re the Marked Man, you can’t see the attacking players on the map, your car is a little slower and you don’t get boost.
- The session usually consists of around 10-12 minutes of intense gameplay depending on the number of players involved