FlatOut review:1 stars (Flatout is flat) - This game has some good qualities, but the pure racing person will have issues, as you gain $ for running into objects and cars, which blows. You are in a race and losing, so blast your car and everyone around you to get $$ for the next race. Realistic? Not. They don't even have a view from inside the car, it is a bumper view with no part of the car visible. The interface with arrow buttons is bad, and you can't even race online, just by LAN. In short, stick with Leadfoot or DTRSC and you will be at least $40 better off.
jc5 stars (Too much fun...) - Pros: physics-- 9
graphics--10
gameplay-- 8
sound 9
AI 9

Cons: Gets a little repetative
Car tweaking could be more involved
Needs a stearing wheel with force feedback (adds realism)

This game is so much fun. If you enjoy all-out mayhem, with superb sounds and graphics, this game is for you. More "crash-em-up" than pure racing simulation. (Check out GTR for an excellent racing sim).
Racing other cars around tracks of gravel, asphalt, ice, dirt, and mud is thrilling; a pure adrenalin rush. AI cars are excellent, as they try to send you flying off the track. You can actually see the drivers steering, and watching them fly out of their cars is hysterical. As you drive around the course, you gain extra points wrecking fences, tire walls, etc. And, all these wrecked pieces stay on the track and interfere with cars as the race goes on. There are 6 "destruction bowls" added in for some unique madness, where the idea is to destroy the AI cars before they send you flying through your windshield. The sounds, physics, and graphics are unmatched as 6 or more cars, all going 70+ mph converge on one spot. Have fun!!5 stars (Flatout ... NASCAR meets Demolition Derby) - A great racing game.

Background:

I initially saw this game offered as a demo, which I downloaded; I was quickly addicted and ordered the game from England before Xmas 2004.

The Game Basics:

Playable as a single player or on-line (I was unable to play on-line as I was the only one with the game). Your view of the action is from either 1st person( in the driver's seat)(recommended) or 3rd person (from above and behind your car)

There are 2 skills to play, 1.) Normal and 2.) Professional (where the physics of cornering, braking, spinning out and the effects of car damage are more accurate).

There are 3 levels of racing; 1.) Bronze (9 races), silver (12 races) and gold (15 races). You must finish a race in the top 3 positions in order to open up new race courses to you. Similarily, you must complete all bronze before silver becomes available, and all silver to advance to gold. Money earned for good finishes allows you to upgrade you vehicle and also buy new and better cars.

There are 5 different types of race tracts; 1.)Asphalt 2.) Gravel pit 3.) country dirt road 4.) town and country and 5.) Winter (with icy roads and frozen lakes). All these tracts require different driving techniques and skills.

The Game Play:

This game is simply an adrenalin rush from beginning to end. It is a contact sport with cars. Strategies requires you to drive clean when your in front but to bump and grind it out when your trying to come from behind (and what great fun this is).
In the single player version you are pitted against 7 other opponents who are hell bent on winning at all costs.
As good as any A.I. racing competitor as I have ever played against! The physics of this game are simply hard to believe; sliding around corners, turning, braking and collisions are as real as you can ask for in a racing sim. Also the scenery is stunning; especially the winter tracts.

Extras:

In addition to the main game there is a series of target practice games with a "rag doll" driver that explodes through the windshield after collisions. Also there are 3 short demolition tracts to try. These are fun to try but not as adrenalin pumping as the actual game itself.


Suggestions:

1.)You really need a steering wheel with gas and brake pedals to be competitive on the silver and gold levels.
2.)There is a downloadable patch that allows you to turn off the "rag doll" effect that sends the driver through the windshield with every collision. This is a neat effect at first but becomes tiresome and time consuming during an actual race.

It took me 6-7 weeks of solid play to win all 36 races on the professional level. At times it was very frustrating (especially on the gold level), but I was NEVER bored with this game.
If you love racing sims, this one should not be missed. Highly recommend!
FlatOut Features:
Computer Games
Adventure
Mechanized action
Auto car automobile race racing
CD
PC Products
ESRB Rating: RP (rating pending)
Racing/Auto Racing

FlatOut is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 37.99USD.