Blur

[Malakili]

So, I noticed that Blur is now available.  Its been a long time since I've played a racing game, and this one looks pretty fun.  My only concern is that is seems obviously designed for console and than the PC version might be pretty bad.  Anyone know anything about this?  I also figure it would be best to use a controller to play, if indeed the PC version is worth it to begin with, don't know if anyone can comment on that part either.

(I don't own PS3 or Xbox360, so buying it on console is right out)

[Engels]

I want a new good racing game to take the place of Dirt2, but I'm hesitant about this one, since, well, its got guns and stuff. Not sure that's my cup of tea.

[Malakili]

I want a new good racing game to take the place of Dirt2, but I'm hesitant about this one, since, well, its got guns and stuff. Not sure that's my cup of tea.

It strikes me as a more realistic looking streamlined Mario Kart.  Though there is apparently a more "hardcore" mode in which the shenanigans can be switched off.

edit: similarities obvious in this video I think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bw1IL_dm5s

[Engels]

That video made it look fun. It seems as if they're a little bit lax on the driving physics, for lack of a better term. Some of those turns would have rolled a muscle car like that for sure.

[Azazel]

I'll probably buy this.

On console.

When it's cheap.

 

[Malakili]

I decided to go ahead and get this, since I really haven't played any other racing games anyway in a long time, and its actually really fun.  Play with a controller though, even if you get it for the PC.  Also, for the purists out there, this isn't your game, its definitely arcadey, and I hear it doesn't even support wheel/pedal hardware.  However, its a heck of a lot of fun.

EDIT:  So a few more thoughts after playing for a couple hours

1) Definitely a console port, but if you have a controller, it feels great anyway (or just buy it on a console).
2) It has a very mario kart feel, but the power ups aren't ? they are a different icon depending on what upgrade it is, so you can choose what you get.  There is a nice variety of power ups, not a ton but something for every situation and not really much redundancy.  
3) You unlock cars by gaining "fans"  You have separate unlocks for multiplayer and single player from what I can tell, but I could be wrong on this.  You gain fans by doing crazy stuff on the track, placing well, etc.  Basically experience points/unlock system.  
4) The game looks and sounds great.  The damage modeling isn't super realistic, but looks good.  I like the sound a lot too, which isn't something I normally say about games unless it really stands out, so thats nice.
5) The online portion didn't have a lot of people playing on PC, but enough that I could pretty easily get into a game.  The multiplayer is quite fun and had lots of exciting moments.  If the game doesn't do too well I could see it being a little difficult to get a game going.  Though you only need 2 people to start a race and then people who join from then on can just jump in the next race.
6) The physics are a bit arcadey/over the top, you can do lots of drifting with the e-brake etc, and missiles will send you flipping through the air but you'll always land with your wheels on the group (its done in such a way that it flows well and doesn't look awkward).

My initial thought of it being like mario kart but with a bit more realism is correct, and I had a lot of fun with it for the couple hours I played earlier, and I can definitely see myself playing it regularly from now on.   I'm not a huge racing genre fan, so I really can't compare it to other titles out there right now, but its fun.  If anyone else happens to pick it up my in game name is "Zhenya" if you want to add me to your friends list.

[Engels]

Play with a controller though, even if you get it for the PC.

Can you explain? I don't have a controller and I wouldn't buy one for just the one game.

[Malakili]

Play with a controller though, even if you get it for the PC.

Can you explain? I don't have a controller and I wouldn't buy one for just the one game.

Well, the game was clearly developed for console first and has a similar consolely interface to something like Borderlands.   I actually haven't tried controlling the game with the keyboard, so I can't say for sure, but I've been using an xbox 360 controller and it feels like it should be played with it.  If you are super on the fence about it I could try playing some with the keyboard to tell you for sure.

[Engels]

Sure! I wouldn't complain. To be honest, with the exception of one RPG, I've always been able to adapt. Even Borderlands was fairly PC friendly to my experience. The gui -sounds- were very console-y. Wretched horrid console gui sounds that are nails on a chalkboard. But the game itself adapted well enough for my taste. I can't remember the name of the RPG that was impossible to play. It was an old console game eventually ported (you played 3 or so characters, one of them is 'framed' for murder', and you play both him and the cops pursuing the mystery)

[Malakili]

Sure! I wouldn't complain. To be honest, with the exception of one RPG, I've always been able to adapt. Even Borderlands was fairly PC friendly to my experience. The gui -sounds- were very console-y. Wretched horrid console gui sounds that are nails on a chalkboard. But the game itself adapted well enough for my taste. I can't remember the name of the RPG that was impossible to play. It was an old console game eventually ported (you played 3 or so characters, one of them is 'framed' for murder', and you play both him and the cops pursuing the mystery)

Ok, played a couple races w/ keyboard.  It was actually pretty fine.  It wasn't as intuitive as a controller for me, and I fumbled with my power ups at first a little bit, but I got the hang of it.  Beware though, there seem to be only 2 keyboard control layouts and you can choose one of them, but you can't seem to edit them.  I found Keyboard 2 to be the better of the two layouts (WSAD to move, space handbreak, up arrow and down arrow to fire forward and back, right control to use power up, left arrow to cycle through power ups, right arrow to drop power up (without using it).  The menu is a little cumbersome with the keyboard as well.  There isn't a mouse cursor in sight, and in fact you won't touch your mouse at all with the game loaded up, all keyboard all the time.    If you like the look of the game and are willing to use what I just described, I'd say give it a go.   If you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them too.

[Engels]

Thank you goodsir. With the exception of no mouse control at all, it doesn't sound too horrid. Then again, Dirt2 had no mouse action at all either, even in the menu trees. I will probably pick it up next time I get a serious hankerin' for speed. Keep writing on your impressions, tho.

[Malakili]

This review is pretty accurate: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-blur/100536
Aside from just reviewing the game there is a ton of info in there, pretty good video to watch if you want to know more.


Edited to Add: Also, I took some screenshots

[eldaec]

Penny Arcade just put up a second blog post on Blur saying (basically) it crashes all the time, ergo is worthless.

Don't know if this is just them ofc.

[NiX]

Penny Arcade just put up a second blog post on Blur saying (basically) it crashes all the time, ergo is worthless.

Don't know if this is just them ofc.

It's them. I've clocked about 5 or 6 hours in the game and haven't had a problem.

[Malakili]

Penny Arcade just put up a second blog post on Blur saying (basically) it crashes all the time, ergo is worthless.

Don't know if this is just them ofc.

It's them. I've clocked about 5 or 6 hours in the game and haven't had a problem.

Same, 0 crashes, runs very smooth no problems on my system.  Played it a ton and having fun with it.   It really is just an updated Mario Kart with real cars, and I love it for that.

[Paelos]

The commercial campaign seems to echo that sentiment of a "more realistic, hardcore Mario Kart"

[Malakili]

The commercial campaign seems to echo that sentiment of a "more realistic, hardcore Mario Kart"

Yeah, it what they were going for, and what they did.  Ironically, due to the graphical style thats been done to death in racing games lately, it doesn't really distinguish itself as that just by looking at it and could end up competing with a bunch of games that are actually pretty different.

[Azazel]

Just read the posts - it's not clear which of the platforms they're playing it on. Just that they're crashing and whining.

[Tebonas]

Returned from my holiday, wanted to buy it to fool around and it is just gone. What happened there? Is this a general removal or an European thing?

[Engels]

Its there on the US side...