Blur Review

Short Version: Blur is the racing game that you never knew you needed.  If you thought that Mario Kart was enough, think again. Blur is here to shake up the genre like no other game has, and it does so in a fun, intense, and highly-polished package.

Will Delaney of Game Rant reviews Blur

Let me start out by saying that Blur is the most fun I have had with a racing game.  It is Mario Kart’s older brother, Project Gotham Racing’s mean cousin, and an in-law of the Call of Duty series.  When they all come together, as they do in Blur, it’s simply a game you won’t be able to put down.

The premise of Blur is simple: finish first by whatever means necessary.  Whether that’s using and abusing one of the game’s offensive power-ups to your advantage, or finessing your way through a race using boosts, shields, and defense – it’s all up to you.

Blur is truly Mario Kart on steroids (or maybe ecstasy with the whole vibrant colors / neon lights theme).  If red shells don’t quite do it for you anymore, then it’s time to move on up to Shunts, Barges, Bolts, and all of Blur’s other power-ups.

Each of the power-ups feel just right, and the sense of impact you get when you slam someone into a wall with a Barge for example is second-to-none.  Racing in Blur is intense, energetic, and always demanding the best out of you; and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I think that Blur‘s TV spot conveyed the “grown-up” theme quite well

Career

The single-player element of Blur consists of eight themed series -- in which you take on a set of challenges based upon the personality of a specific rival.  Each series of races has six challenges, plus a one-on-one race versus the series’ rival.  Once you beat the rival, you gain access to their car, as well as their unique power-up modifier (the ability to shoot four bolts, instead of the normal three for example).

After you defeat the eight rivals, or unlock the series early by earning enough lights, you can move on to the ‘Show Down;’ a final series that pits you against the eight racers that you previously defeated.  It’s quite challenging, but it rounds out a very engaging and well-executed career mode.

Throughout the career, variety is handled superbly.  There really is almost too much to do.  Your primary objective is to earn lights, which are Blur’s main progression system.  Each challenge has a total of seven lights available, though the final one-on-one races have eight.  Every challenge has the following: five primary lights available for completing the main objective, one for completing a ‘Fan Run,’ and one for achieving ‘Fan Targets.’

Earning lights isn’t as simple as coming in first place in a race.  There are three main types of challenges: race, destruction, and checkpoint.  In races, it’s you vs. 9 to 19 other racers, and you’ve got to fight your way through them using power-ups, speed, ingenuity, and a little luck.  It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s pure mayhem.

Speaking of mayhem, destruction mode puts you on a track with only one power-up available – Bolts.  Bolts are manually aimed projectiles, which you must use to destroy as many target cars as possible before you run out of time.  Each car you destroy earns you more time; and the stronger the car, the more time is given.  Be wary though; when you destroy a car, they will fire a car-specific projectile back at you, and if you wreck, the round is over.

The third mode is checkpoint, which is quite simple; complete the course as fast as possible to earn the highest amount of lights.  It disperses nitro power-ups and stopwatches (which add 2 seconds to your remaining time) along the track, which must be collected strategically.

Continue reading Game Rant’s review of Blur…

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