Why I Adore Burnout 3: Takedown

The "Why I Love" series on GamesIndustry.biz showcases game developers' appreciation for each other's work. In this entry, Mladen Bošnjak, creative director at Misfit Village, discusses his love for Burnout 3: Takedown. By 2005, Bošnjak had a PlayStation 2 in his home, and although he was aware of other consoles like the GameCube and Xbox, they were not as accessible in his region. Piracy was rampant, and PS2 consoles often came with pre-installed modchips from licensed retailers, leaving Bošnjak to wonder if Sony was aware of these practices. His first encounter with Burnout 3: Takedown was through a pirated copy with a blank white cover and a handwritten title. As a young game enthusiast who already created mods and small games, Bošnjak felt a pang of guilt playing the pirated game, but he was drawn to its exciting gameplay. The game's intro, featuring pre-rendered cutscenes with in-game assets, set the tone for a thrilling experience. Burnout 3: Takedown differentiates itself from other racing games by encouraging players to crash into opponents to boost their speed and gain an edge. The game's Aftertouch feature allows players to slow down time after crashing and maneuver their wreck to take down opponents, providing an unconventional sense of freedom. Crash Mode is a unique puzzle game where players must drive into intersections and cause chaos, requiring precision and strategy to achieve the perfect crash. The game's environments, soundtrack, and DJ interruptions all contribute to an exceptional gaming experience. Bošnjak's obsession with the game extended to his personal life, as he attempted to recreate the game's trophies using toy cars and other materials. The sequels to Burnout 3: Takedown, such as Burnout Revenge and Burnout Dominator, failed to recapture the essence of the original game. Burnout Paradise, with its open-world design, is a great game but cannot compare to the perfection of Takedown. Criterion's RenderWare technology enabled the game's technical achievements, and running the game through an emulator at 4K resolution showcases its timeless graphics. Bošnjak hopes that EA will remaster Burnout 3: Takedown, allowing him to finally purchase the game and alleviate his guilt over playing a pirated copy. For Bošnjak, Burnout 3: Takedown is a game that has stood the test of time, and playing it twenty years later is like taking a trip back to the carefree mid-2000s, when racing games were at their peak and Burnout 3: Takedown was the best of the best.