Blur Beta Impressions

This past Monday, Bizarre sent out a series of Blur Multiplayer Beta codes for gamers to test out the racing experience. Luckily, I managed to get my hands on one for redemption, and was able see what they brought to the table. Please be aware, as the beta says, this in no way represents the final product of the game. Lets take it from the top.


Menus: Everything looks and feels very stylish and pleasing to the eye. The main colors aren’t ones that overly stand out, but rather allow you to see without having to focus on a certain area.


Gameplay: The controls are very simple to pick up. You use the right trigger to accelerate your car, while using the left stick to steer. Along each track are a series of power-ups that can be used to temporarily stun or destroy your opponents. Right now, my favorite one has to be repair. When you’re trailing with smoke everywhere and find one, it helps.


Online: Pretty much the main reason this beta exists. Online is set up in a series of modes where you can have up to 20 players in a single game. The best part, absolutely no lag. I have a terrible connection at times, and to see the games’ servers perform the way they did, I was extremely pleased. When a game is over, you can simply stay in the lobby, vote for which map you want to play, and get right back into it.


Rank System: One thing I really liked when playing was seeing how Bizarre pulled off the rank system. Instead of earning points per race, you complete challenges to win over fans, allowing you to rank up.


The beta doesn’t really allow you a wide variety of cars/modifications, but it gives you a taste of what’s to come. I’m not a big fan of racing games, and rarely go out and purchase them. However, after this beta, I think I might have to. This is easily the most fun I’ve had playing a racing game in years, and I recommend putting this on your “Buy” list in the near future. I’d expect more beta codes to start floating around very soon.


Blur releases May 25 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.