| FlatOut is a playful race car game with little | | | | asphalt races usually take a few tries before you |
| realism. Like most race car games the vehicles | | | | come in 3rd or better. The races are not simple |
| get banged up on the way to the finish line, but | | | | even though the cars never become any harder |
| this game does not alter the handling of the | | | | to drive based on the damage they take. |
| vehicles based on how badly damaged they | | | | However, learning the layout of each track is |
| become. Your car can be smoking or on fire, but | | | | very simple since all tracks seem to be markedly |
| it will never quit on you or explode like you might | | | | similar. Many of the same objects/obstacles are |
| expect. It handles the same from the time you | | | | overused from one track to the next, a few |
| start the track until the time you complete the | | | | times I exited out of the track because it looked |
| track. The only thing that alters the way the cars | | | | like I was playing on a track that I had already |
| handle is the upgrades that are purchased. | | | | beaten, but I wasn't. |
| You will start the game by creating a profile for | | | | The graphics are solid and realistic with plenty of |
| your driver. There is a choice of regular or | | | | object to crash into. When you crash into an |
| professional for the experience level and a choice | | | | object your nitrous increases. By using your |
| of male or female for the driver's gender. Once a | | | | nitrous you can gain the ground you lost from |
| profile has been rendered you can purchase the | | | | your crash and maybe even get farther ahead. It |
| vehicle that you want to use (you will start off | | | | is best to use the nitrous on the strait-of-ways |
| with enough money to buy any of the cars | | | | though or you will inevitably crash your vehicle |
| available). Then you can upgrade the car if you | | | | once again. Don't forget to save some of that |
| are left with enough money or race the car to | | | | nitrous for the finish line. |
| gain more money. Money is given for every | | | | The bonus games are a great comic relief. Some |
| position that you place in; except for 8th place. | | | | of them involve ejecting your driver as far and as |
| You also receive money for crashes as a bonus | | | | high as you can in order to gain high score. You |
| (even for 8th place). | | | | can also win money prizes from these bonus |
| When you play in your particular profile you can | | | | games to help upgrade your race car. There is a |
| unlock other racing tracks or bonus games by | | | | demolition game where you must destroy all of |
| placing 3rd or better. The asphalt tracks are fairly | | | | the other vehicles before your car takes too |
| easy in the bronze races, but some cars are | | | | much damage and there is even bowling and |
| particularly hard to handle on the dirt tracks. It is | | | | darts. |
| a good idea to buy two cars; one for speed and | | | | FlatOut may not be very complex, but it does |
| one for traction. Upgrades come in handy for | | | | offer some variety. I guess you could say you |
| bringing your car up to snuff for the dirt and | | | | get more bang for your buck. How long it holds |
| snow tracks. | | | | your attention is basically up to the individual; as |
| The bronze racing tracks are primarily dirt so one | | | | for me I held in there for three days. Someone |
| would think that you would become particularly | | | | else may play it for years and never get bored. |
| adept at racing off-road, but racing in the silver or | | | | Whatever the personality though, if you rent this |
| gold races is a lot more advanced and even the | | | | game it won't be a waste of money. |