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Burn: Cycle is one of those bizarre interactive movies that were briefly all the rage back when the power of CD technology was unleashed upon the world. Like other such titles as Lawnmower Man and Johnny Mnemonic, it's not entirely successful in terms of actually being enjoyable or having any long term appeal, but it remains a fascinating curio that bears all the hallmarks of that distinctive period in gaming. The cyberpunk plot here is similar to the aforementioned Johnny Mnemonic, and sees you in the role of data hacker who has just managed a major theft but who has ended up infected with a virus. You thus have two hours to find a cure but also have to contend with the guys you just stole from, who are understandably annoyed. This all turns into a typical mix of action sequences and puzzles, all told via live action cut scenes and cutting edge 3D graphics, and which feels like a sort of actioned-up Myst, with several mini-games to play through. Burn: Cycle is very much a product of its time, and in terms of visuals at least, it's a good showcase for what CD technology was initially capable of. As such, it stands as good record of the period, and despite that familiar graininess, the production values shine through. The story, while unoriginal, does at least keep you hooked, with a decent script, memorable characters and solid acting (which is unusual for this sort of thing). However, in terms of gameplay, this is pretty poor stuff, with the usual mix of uninteresting mini-games and action sequences which are only briefly entertaining. Play it for its historical significance but don't expect to find a good game here.
