Blur

Game: Blur
Developer: Bizzare Creations
Release Date: 5/25/10
Multiplayer: Online, 2-20; Splitscreen up to 4; System Link, 2-20
Distribution Method: Disc (Retail)
Price: $60.00

Anyone paying at least a little attention to my Twitter feed (shameless plug: @Takarias) has surely noticed a deluge of updates bearing the hashtag #blurthegame. Most of these were from the Beta, but now that the full game is out, you should expect to see a lot more. I also feel it would now be prudent to write up a review and finally end my spree of not updating this blog for no good reason. So, let us now begin:

Blur may be trying to market itself as something unique by saying that it's 'powered-up racing,' but really, it's a kart racer in every sense of the term. The world is colorful and easy to read, and the tracks are generously dotted with the various powerups you'll be using to rip your opponents a new one. But that's not to say that the game is little more than a generic rip-off of a tried-and-true genre, Blur is very much a good game in its own right.

Steering clear of the usual big head/little car asthetic, Blur takes a much more mature and realistic approach, with all of the cars liscensed and looking good. Blur manages to step away from the pack by also having very colorful imagery, despite the realistic spin on things. Scenery is detailed, but also vibrantly colored, clearly identifying walls and other objects as they whiz by. Powerups cast colorful light on the track, and attacks are glowing supernovas that wouldn't look out of place in a Devil May Cry game.







The UI is similarly alive with animations, colors, particles, and plenty of nice touches, though some text might be a little too small for a smaller SDTV. Since almost all menu text is one of a few shades of blue, some of the information can blend together a bit, but this doesn't pose too much of a problem.

While racing, the HUD is awash with points and various counters, yet still manages to make the most important information very easy to read. Large neon color-coded icons float behind your car, letting you easily see what powerups you have, the map is on the large side and clearly shows approaching turns, and your current position is emblazoned in the opposite corner. Your speed, however, seems at first to have been left out - which would be fine - but it's actually tucked away into a corner of the map and is rather small.

Vehicles handle quite well, with a good feeling of how heavy a car is in realation to the opposition. Being an arcade racer, cars either fling through corners at breakneck speeds without ever losing grip, or drift wildly through turns, screeching tires protesting loudly. Cars accelerate quickly, and using a wall to turn is a perfectly legitimate strategy. If you like arcade racers, Bizzare has a pretty solid one right here.

Speaking of which, Blur's online component is full of unlockables, modes, mods, cars, and all the goodness that holds it all together. Modes vary widely for a racing game, with team modes, destruction derby-style events, a powerup-free hardcore mode, and a playlist that randomizes all of the rules.

Online multiplayer is set up very similar to the system popularized by COD4. You gain on-track fans to increase in rank and thus unlock new vehicles and mods. The mods are analogous to COD's perks, and there's a few that are pretty interesting, like one that causes your car to be invisible, or split mines into smaller ones as you drive close to them.

Combat feels fast and powerful, with music deafened by the force behind attacks. Unleashing a powerup makes your screen come alive with neon pyrotechnics, and sends other cars flying into the air or into walls.

Much like other combat racers, getting hit once can be your demise as you fall into the waiting hands of the pack. Particularly online, opponents are ever-willing to destroy you and wear your bumper as a trophy. This can get a bit irritating, but there are enough powerups scattered about that you should be able to quickly find one with which to seek your revenge.

Blur is pretty well-balanced, with cars unlocked later not being horribly better than previous cars, and powerups having very clearly defined roles. Mods can save your ass, but never make a player overpowered. Even so, joining late might be a bit less enjoyable that starting day one, since you do unlock nicer stuff later on.

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Bottom Line: Blur is a solid racer with a unique graphical spin on combat racers. If you liked a Kart game at some point, you have a new - more mature - home.