Flatout 2 Review

Platform: Xbox 360
ERSB: Teen
Genre: Racing (Crashing)
Number of Players: Single Console 1-8, Network Adapter 1-6
Publisher: Bugbear Entertainment
Release Date: 08/01/2006
Official Website
Writer: Typhoid

Rating: 8.0

Flatout 2: A Hell of a Ride

I hate racing games. I love Flatout 2. Those aren’t contradictory facts because FO2 is often better described as a crashing game. It also has the added craziness of using ragdoll physics for mini-games that eject your driver through the windshield towards targets like bowling pins. Before the original Flatout was released, the only racing games I could stomach were MarioKart (only if I was playing against friends) and Destruction Derby (smashy smashy!).

I was a huge fan of the original FO and I was not disappointed [with this new version]. Nearly everything I wanted them to improve has been tweaked. From the moment I turned on the system I was gasping with joy. Amazing graphics, the opening menu starting with a great Rob Zombie song (“Demon Speeding”), and women gamers were given a nod by giving us a playable female character.

There are some great improvements. One of the main complaints I had against the first game was that I had earned a ton of money, and had nothing left to spend it on. In this version, there are lots of cars and upgrades to purchase. Another change is that the psycho mini-games actually count for progress in the game. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad, since they are dramatically more difficult than the first game’s ragdoll stunts and it held up my progress in the game to get proficient at flinging my body around. Did they REALLY need to put obstacles in between me and the targets? It’s hard enough as it is to fling myself out the windshield at a target without having to swerve all over the place.

Graphics:
…wow. For someone who is getting used to the Xbox 360, it’s really saying something that I was very impressed by these graphics on the PS2. It’s not necessarily “glamorous pretty” like glitzy racing games try to be, but they were aiming more for “gritty pretty.” An example is that in other racing games you’re given lime green sports cars that shine like cell shaded cartoons. In this game I’m mostly driving well-used stock cars or beat up demolition derby cars. Some of the graphics are laughable- but only because they were too perfect (the loading screen headshots were so detailed I thought I was looking at the over-airbrushed faces of real models).

Controls:
Really hard. Just like the original, there is a huge learning curve to this game. The controls are completely unintuitive, so make sure to read the manual first. The main problem though is that the controls are too loose, but that isn’t going to improve with practice. However getting used to the loose controls will help your performance.

Sound:
The soundtrack of this game is AMAZING. It’s not just that I love the Rock n’ Roll, but also the diverse mix of famous and obscure bands alike is refreshing. I also love how they show you the band and song name each time a new one starts. The sound effects in this game are terrific too, though I’m just not too concerned about the sound of the car or the sound of the crashing.

Flow:
Like most next-gen car racing games, this game has a lot of long load screens. The only thing that makes up for them is the anticipation of the great level that’s loading. However the way the game is strung together will take a little getting used to because there are so many options in the menus.

Fun Factor:
Now, here is a dilemma. The game is easily as frustrating as it is fun. You really have to love this type of game (racing or crashing). It’s very important to note that this is not a game where you progress each level one at a time and sail through it. It is a cumulative game, where you have to play some of the levels many times, both to earn money to buy upgrades and because the levels are hard to beat. The ridiculous mini-games are a blast. However, this game isn’t as fun as the original. I think they made some of the mini-games (and regular races) so difficult with sloshy controls that at times they’re just not fun.

Female Aspect:
This is the most female-positive game I’ve played in a LONG time. First, you have the option of playing as a male OR female. Second, half the other NPC’s are female too! Third, finally a racing game where the females aren’t bimbo trophies! Granted, all of their photos are like “Glamour Shots” for AI’s, but it’s okay… the males are given the same makeover.

Replay Value:
MORE MORE MORE! There are so many cars, upgrades, tracks and ragdoll games that I can see I’ll be playing this game for months, and long after I’ve “finished” it. The only thing that will stop me is the growing frustration you get from playing a very difficult game.

The high degree of difficulty is frustrating, but just because a game is hard doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means it’s not a casual game, but something that you’re going to want to build your skills on until you’re a master. However if the controls were tighter it’d be a greater proportion of skill than luck, and would make the game a lot more enjoyable.