The summertime games release drought has ended with a huzzah. Ushering in the weekend is a selection of interactive entertainments to make your heart sing. First up is the leader of the pack: Burnout 3.
Brought to you by Guildford-based Criterion and publishers EA, this is the definitive answer to road rage. The dysfunctional child of Gran Tourismo and destruction derby, with genetics from the "milkman" Sega Rally, it is a traditional racer in the sense that the player aims to get around the track to the finish line the fastest, but what happens in between is a special effects spectacular. This iteration makes the previous two look like Sunday drives, particularly with the installed XBox Live capability. Solo players can fuel their petrol head fixation with just as much fun, negotiating through the World Circuit mode. Seriously, don't take my word for it. This game is superb. It's £39.99.
Another driver coming to the PC and PS2 is Euro Rally Champion, a title which takes the Indy Car series engine and tried for gold in the already-saturated Rally Car Driving Game genre. It looks good and costs a treat. Pick up this title, which features multiplayer and single player hilarity for £19.99.
The .hack series now has a Volume 3. This offline Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, if there can be such a beast, takes players through the third part of the increasingly interesting story. This time, there's an outbreak of some sort, effecting the game world and the real world. Considering this all three titles have been pumped out in the space of one year, this series could be the beginning of mass market episodic gaming. Like a good book, .hack draws you in. Before you enter, though, get your shots. It's £39.99.
Finally, for strategy buffs, Arena Wars is a real time strategy game set in - you guessed it - the future with - never! - robots. It's surprisingly action-packed, both in the single-player mode against awfully smart AI or versus 8 friends or enemies. They've really set this up for Local Area Network parties, with advances in web cam and audio network communications. It costs £19.99.
