Blur Video

JudoChinX

May 25, 2010

Here's a look at Blur.

Blur is one of those games that might sneak up on you if you're not careful. I wasn't really following this particular title very closely before the demo was released a couple of months ago, but I figured there was nothing to lose, and so I gave it a shot. I was surprised, in a good way, to find that Blur happened to be the perfect blend between arcade racer and sim that I hadn't known I'd wanted until just then. Although it might not have the fame that games like Gran Turismo might have, Blur is very a game that you'll want to get to know.

So what's all this about the game being a mix between an arcade racer and sim? Well, like an arcade racer, and more specifically like Mario Kart, you'll collect items while you race that can be used both defensively and offensively. The standards are all here: heat seeking missiles, mines, shields, and turbos. Like a sim, you'll be racing licensed vehicles that handle somewhere right between a go-kart and a real car. It's hard to explain without actually playing it, but Bizarre seems to have found a sweet spot between the two.

All of this would have been for naught had the actual racing been unexciting. I've always been a firm believer that Mario Kart has lost a lot of its appeal as it continued to increase the "rubber band" effect. Instead of being rewarded from getting to the front of the pack, you'd be punished by a seemingly never ending assault of blue shells and other special items that were nearly impossible to dodge. That's unacceptable to me, and thankfully, it's something that Blur does not repeat. Instead of making items random (of course Mario Kart does items less than randomly), items can be seen prior to picking them up, and their locations on the map don't change. If you can memorize the locations of items, you will have the upper hand in a race.

I also found the game's progression system quite fun. You are awarded fans as you race and use items. These are used to level up, which in turn gives you new cars to choose from. Sometimes games progress too slow, which can make the experience feel unrewarding. Some gamers need that trail of bread crumbs to be motivated to continue to play. If that's you, then you'll love Blur. You'll gain levels quickly as you progress through the game, and this system carries over to online multiplayer where you can enjoy the company and competition of fellow players.

The action is fast and unrelenting. Races are often neck and neck, so using your items to their greatest potential nets you the best results. Time after time, I'd complete a race only to find that I'd been gripping the trigger in suspense. My fingers literally went numb because of it. If you're the kind of person who finds that racing games are oftentimes boring, then reconsider, and give this game a shot.

The game gives a bit of the old and a bit of the new to the standard racing game repertoire of game modes. Most of the time, you'll be trying to take first, second, or third place in a standard race. Other times you'll be trying to destroy as many opponents as possible within a time limit. There could have been a few more things thrown in for good measure, but at least the modes that are there are done well.

Blur is a refreshing take on a genre that rarely gives us anything unique or bold. Though it might be a derivative of a couple of sub-genres within the racing genre, the execution is great and creates an intense experience that will keep your attention. Discuss in the forum.