
After spending now 6-8 solid gameplay hours both online and offline, here are my impressions of Blur:
Graphics: This game looks awesome. Damage to the cars is as "realistic" as you're going to get for a kart style game. The real vehicles are used in this game, and look the part. Powerups are really cool when used, and the color in this game is incredibly vibrant. The tracks that I raced looked great as well, from the actual track to the scenery. Everything in the game pops with vibrant color.
Music: Nothing that got on my nerves, but nothing that was incredibly memorable so far either. It's appropriate, high energy for a racing game.
Controls: If you got frustrated in games like Gran Turismo that you couldn't take a tight turn doing 100 in a Dodge Viper, you'll find more of the same here with some of the cars, as they handle just like their real life counterparts. For those that can handle the drifting cars, you'll definitely gain a boost in speed. The controls are mapped logically as are most PS3 games (accelerate with R2, brake with square, etc.). One of the major keys to the game is matching the car type (drifting, off road, etc.) with the track type.
Presentation/Ingenuity: Each races starts out with a neat take on a countdown (not just a simple 3-2-1). I found that to be really cool. You're never really out of a race with the powerups available, though the Shock one that is shot out in front of the leaders is really hard to avoid if you ARE the leader. You likely won't win too many blowout races in this game. I found the powerups to be neat takes on other ideas (example: The "Shunt" acts like a Red Turtle Shell in Mario Kart, which homes in on your target). Your goal in each race is to light up all the "lights" to move onto the next race. However, the secondary goals (getting enough fans, and going through all the gates) do add replay value to each track.
Online play is where this game really shines...as you advance in rank you unlock more cars, there are tons of trophies/accomplishments that can only be done online, this game runs butter smooth even with 20 cars racing at the same time, simply put, it's the best online racing experience on the PS3 and Gran Turismo 5 better have this figured out as least as well.
Replay Value: With all the stickers to earn, online leaderboards, challenges you can put to friends, Facebook/Twitter compatibility, as well as all the challenges on each track, this is one racing game you're not going to blow through in 5-10 hours. Through 8 hours I'm only 16% complete on the single player campaign, and heaven only knows how long it will take to get everything.
So overall, since people like those 1-10 scales:
Graphics: 9.5/10
Cars look great, explosions are awesome, and the tracks are nice and varied
Sound: 8/10
The 8 is on the strength of the sounds, not necessarily the BGM. Burnout Paradise
is far superior as they had licensed songs in their game.
Controls: 9/10
Pretty good for a racing game, not so punishing as a Gran Tursimo would be, but not unrealistic like many arcade racers are. It's a really good fit.
Presentation/Ingenuity: 8.5/10
Some of the ideas (like the whole powerup thing) you've seen all the way back to games like RC Pro AM for the NES. However, the layout of the races, the different modes, the linkability with FB/Twitter, etc. shows the developers are paying attention to the changes in techonology.
Replay Value: 10/10
There is SO MUCH to do in this game and accomplish, and when you add in the online multiplayer/challenges, you will most certainly get your worth out of this game.
In closing...
Buy this game if:
- You've got fond memories of Mario Kart and like the fact you're never out of a race
- You want a robust, deep online multiplayer racing experience
- You like collecting trophies and a game that takes a while for 100% completion.
Don't buy this game if:
- You're expecting a simulation style racing experience
- You're hoping to hear epic BGM while you are racing
- You're going to play split screen (2 player) multiplayer a lot (this is one place the graphics/gameplay take a hit)
Blur Feature
- Real Racing - Stunning racing environments in real world locations and licensed cars that look and feel great
- Power-ups - Collect addictive dynamic power-ups and use them independently or combo three of the same power-up strategically to gain an advantage over your competition
- Cinematic Realism - Experience insane collisions with licensed photo-realistic cars flipping and rolling with panels crumpling and bumpers ripping off ? all brought to life with panning, cinematic camera work
- Multi-player - Features 4-player split-screen and online multiplayer supporting competitive and cooperative game play for up to 20 racers, including team racing, objective based events and custom groups
- Unique multiplayer modes are immediately shared through Blur?s social network
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Blur Specifications
Blur is the ultimate powered-up racing experience, dropping you into electrified action with a mass of cars targeting the finish line and battling each other as they trade paint in both single player and multiplayer action. Travel the globe from LA and San Francisco to Spain, the UK and more to take on the best the streets have to offer. Utilize an arsenal of powerups like nitro speed boosts, shock attacks, defensive shields, and landmines to beat your rivals across the finish line. You choose how and when to use your arsenal of powerups for ultimate impact in a race where the outcome is never certain.
In Blur the storyline plays out in the single player campaign. Here players assume the role of an up-and-coming racer who is looking to make a name for himself in the underground racing scene, but the competition is fierce. As you take on the series of races, you'll meet a bunch of recurring characters. Some of these characters will be rivals, others perhaps will act as mentors, and some may be something else entirely. The only thing that is certain in the world of Blur is that in a race there are winners and losers, and racers will do anything to reach the finish line first. Gameplay Although filled with the beautifully elaborate racing environments, realistic damage effects and a long list of available cars usually only found in simulation racers, Blur is an arcade racer through and through. Its single player campaign revolves around the game's Career Mode, while in multiplayer there are additional options, including customizable cooperative and competitive races. In both of these though the second-to-second, fast-paced action is rooted in the wealth of powerups strewn throughout the track. These are addictive in their use and dramatic and devastating when used against opposing racers. With each successive race that players engage in they will use their collection of powerups to engage in vehicular combat of all sorts as they make their way to the finish. The game employs a fictional in-game social networking system allowing communication between drivers, and through this a way for players to establish alliances, find mentors and get familiar with the tactics of opponents. Monetary rewards are accumulated by drivers not only for success in competition, but by generous fans earned during races and for predetermined side challenges within races, proposed by those same fans. With the cash accumulated through all these, players can buy new cars and upgrade their ability to use powerups and keep their career going. Powerups An impressive array of powerups are part and parcel to the vehicular combat that takes place Blur. These are spread across each of the game's tracks and for the most part can be used at any time. Drivers start out with the ability to sock away up to two of these, but with success players can upgrade to add additional slots and even increase the potency of the powerups that they have. Powerups in the game include:
Blur is designed from the ground up to provide an enthralling multiplayer experience both online and offline. Online players with enjoy support for up to 20 player races, while local offline play features 2-4 player, four-way split screen support through a single console and up to 20 player support via system link console configurations. Within races players will have the choice to play either competitively and cooperative, in a variety of play modes that offer a mix of customization and automation. Just a few of the race parameters that can be customized are locale, car class and number of racers. Players can also choose to let the game handle the specifics of race particulars with World Tour mode, which will string together race after race randomly, allowing friends to simply concentrate on the fun. Tracks and Cars The gameworld of Blur contains an impressive array of tracks and cars. Players can expect to pile up the powerups and put the pedal to the metal across tracks set throughout 14 real cities and other locations throughout the world, each of these featuring recognizable streets and landmarks. Just a few of these include, London, San Francisco, Barcelona and Los Angeles. The game is also filled with over 50 fully licensed cars, unlockable and purchasable throughout the game. Key Game Features
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Blur Overviews
Blur is the ultimate racing experience, dropping you into heart-pumping, electrified in-the-pack action with 20 cars targeting the finish line and battling each other as they trade paint. Intense power-ups, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, as well as defensive shields, nitro speed boosts, and landmines create realistic damage and destruction. Featuring 4-player split-screen action that offers you a new kind of racing experience, one that allows you to race with your friends and as part of a network of players in high intensity competition and fun. The new racing game from the award-winning team at Bizarre Creations delivers the most intense and fun racing experience ever. Beyond the action-packed tracks filled with fast curves, sneaky alternate routes, and hair-raising jumps, Blur’s story unfolds through a unique and innovative community-based interface, reaching far beyond the game itself. Build a community of allies, rivals and fans where you can share personalized racing experiences with friends both inside and outside the game. Blur is non-stop racing competition, intense and neck-and-neck action ensuring you’re always in the race and battling for position.




