Bizarre Creations' latest, a hybrid mix of real-world racing fused with the frenzied kinetics of Mario Karts power-up system, is tough; real tough. The single player campaign alone slings a tirade of some of the most ruthless AI your way that Empire has ever had the misfortune of encountering. Be prepared for punishment.
The power-ups in question feature eight in total: nitro, mine, shunt, bolt, shield, repair, shock and barge, with each one performing exactly as it should. Victory in blur operates as such: winning earns you Lights, with bonus ones doled out for completing special achievements en route to chequered flag glory, while Fans are rallied by performing slick stuff on the track such as launching multiple power-ups in a row, drifting or successfully manoeuvring Fan Challenges mid race.
With 20 car battles, the action is chaotic and even more so when braving online races in any one of blurs superbly polished and furiously competitive multiplayer modes, the core longevity of Bizarres current foray into the fast and furious. As a studio, Bizarre consistently impresses, and with blur the trend continues, despite not reaching the dizzying heights of brilliance that Nintendos Mario Kart series has managed. Still, with incredibly dense multiplayer, rip-roaring races with a twist and plush presentation, it more than justifies the price tag.