Let me preface this: 
 
I love Burnout, it is my catnip and I have 100% completion in Burnout 2, 3 (original Xbox) and Paradise (no small feat). But after playing and deciding that it was too awkward and clumsy, I decided that Need for Speed: Most Wanted was not my cup of tea. After trying subsequent Need for Speed games I have a feeling that I will in fact, not like Hot Pursuit (even though I did group QA testing way back in the day on the first one). My question is: how much is the Burnout feeling from Criterion really crossing over and how much "realism" will prevent me from liking the game; I love Burnout games for the insanity of the action and the ease at which I can turn corners without putting too much thought into it and the INSANE rates of speed.
 
This is one of those games where I wish the demo was significantly longer, because I just can't tell from 2 levels if this is gonna be my thing.

With my short time with the game so far I directly compare it to HP2 and Burnout 3. I don't know what I would compare the handling to though. Each car handles just a little bit differently (the super cars are a little more loose, which is to be expected). It's not as easy as Paradise, but it's certainly not difficult. Maybe watch the Quick Look to see if they touch on it?

Yeah I did watch the quick look, I had made that post before I knew that QL existed as I read Giant Bomb via a RSS Reader. Anyways, I'm pretty sold on it now but, it looked like Jeff was distinctly having trouble not hitting the sides (something that is easy to avoid in a Burnout) and also he did not "place" very well in the modes he tried in. Can you fill me in on the difficulty a little? It'll probably be more difficult for me at first because I will try and play it like Burnout Paradise. 
 
Also, good blog post, that helped me out a lot.

Yup, I know exactly how that is. I tried driving like I was in Paradise City, but this is mother effing Seacrest County. It won't hurt you TOO much going in, and you'll eventually get the hang of things. I haven't mastered the subtleties yet though, so I still hit the walls and can't dodge traffic when also around other racers (you'll fish tail a bit by going one direction to dodge, then jerking back the other way).

How's the game's difficulty looking? Probably will be picking this up relatively soon when my budget allows. I've been having a lot of trouble finding a lot of time to play games, so it not being maddening would be nice. 
 
Oh did I mention I'm playing Super Meat Boy in said spare time? Yeah, I'm going for "relaxing" with my next purchase. =p

" @UnlivedPhalanx:   It's about 20% Burnout and 80% the best arcade racing game ever made.  Orgasmic feeling drifts are what make this game special. "

From the demo and the quick look I got the feeling this was a Burnout with heavier cars and you have to break some times to go round corners. 
If it wasn't for the fact that Assassins Creed Brotherhood came out this week I'd would of picked it up day one.

" @UnlivedPhalanx: 
 
Maybe you remember Cruis'n USA. It's just like that, only brilliant.
 
  

   Hot Pursuit feels now as awesome as Cruis'n USA felt 15 years ago. "