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For me, it’s difficult to believe that Burnout Paradise was released ten years ago. As a fan of the original game, I was eager to drive down the streets of Paradise City again, but this remaster by new studio Stellar Entertainment leaves quite a bit to be desired.

The original title was ahead of its time in many ways, providing a vast open world in which every metre of road was expertly designed as playground. Nothing has changed in that regard. The open world still feels as extensive as the original game, offering enough secrets and collectibles to keep the player busy for some time. Coupled with the soundtrack, an eclectic mix of hard rock and pop punk, Paradise City itself is a joy to explore.

Fast paced, fluid driving mechanics have always been at the core of Burnout. This iteration is no exception. Driving down a busy street at breakneck speed feels simply exhilarating in Burnout Paradise Remastered. Many other driving games have showcased satisfying mechanics in the years since the original game, but Burnout Paradise has a uniquely tactile feel, and holds up remarkably ten years on.

One of Burnout Paradise’s greatest strengths was its online component. Up to eight players can explore Paradise city freely whilst participating in group challenges. These add another dimension to online play, making it particularly enjoyable with friends. Unfortunately, there are no new challenges added in Burnout Paradise Remastered. This is something which would have improved an already stellar online experience.

The progression system remains unchanged, with cars and bikes unlocked as the player completes events. While the progression remains as solid as ever, this is one area in which the game seems like more of a port than a remaster. At the very least, a new set of cars or bikes would have been a nice addition.

Visually, Burnout Paradise Remastered will disappoint fans of the original. While the game runs flawlessly at 60FPS on PS4, the visual improvement is not as jaw-dropping as one would expect from a ten-year time difference. I booted up my original copy on PS3 for a comparison. While the PS4 version boasts slightly higher resolution textures, some improved shading effects and a longer draw distance, the difference is underwhelming.  

Burnout Paradise Remastered is a welcome dose of nostalgia. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the mechanics of driving hold up after a decade. However, the game fails to deliver any new content. In conjunction with the lacklustre visual upgrade, this unfortunately makes it a tough sell for the €39.99 price tag. At a lower price I can absolutely recommend the game, particularly for those who have never played the original. In the meantime though, it might be worth dusting off the old PS3.