FlatOut (video game)

FlatOut

UK cover of FlatOut for Microsoft Windows
Developer(s) Bugbear Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Series FlatOut
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Linux
Release
  • EU: 5 November 2004
  • NA: 12 July 2005
  • JP: 13 October 2005 (PS2)
  • WW: 2 February 2007 (PC; Steam)
Genre(s) Semi-simulation racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

FlatOut is a racing video game developed by the Finnish developer Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive and Vivendi Universal Games in 2004 and 2005. Gameplay in FlatOut places emphasis on demolition derby-style races, and features a sophisticated physics engine. 16 different cars are included, each with 5 different skins for them. The game is most known for car drivers flying through the windshield.

In 2014, a Linux version of the game was released on GOG.com as part of the launch of Linux support.[1]

Features

Modes in FlatOut include standard lap races, in either open environments or stadium laps, and demolition derby deathmatches, in which the driver of the sole-surviving vehicle declared the winner; both modes pit players against 7 computer-controlled opponents. The game also includes special events which require the player to toss the driver off of his/her vehicle and meet certain requirements. In career mode, pick up your future top racer from the junkyard. Winnings come in the form of cash, which allows players to purchase vehicle upgrades and new vehicles.

FlatOut is noted for its extensive use of physics in vehicle damage and collisions; dents on vehicles may vary based on the type of accident, object and angle of impact (falling objects, for example, will damage mostly the upper areas of a car), while many roadside items react better to collisions from other vehicles.

Ragdoll physics is also present in the game, with drivers capable of being tossed out of their car after high-impact crashes. This feature is extensively used in several special events, when the player is required to "toss" a driver to a specific distance, height, or target.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
Edge7/10[2]7/10[2]7/10[2]
EGMN/A4.67/10[3]4.67/10[3]
EurogamerN/AN/A8/10[4]
FamitsuN/A28/40[5]N/A
Game InformerN/A6.5/10[6]6.5/10[6]
GameSpot7.9/10[7]7.9/10[7]7.9/10[7]
GameSpyN/A[8][8]
GameTrailers8.5/10[9]8.5/10[9]8.5/10[9]
GameZone8/10[10]7.9/10[11]N/A
IGN7/10[12]7.5/10[13]7.5/10[13]
OPM (US)N/A[14]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7.2/10[15]
PC Gamer (US)75%[16]N/AN/A
Detroit Free PressN/AN/A[17]
The Sydney Morning Herald[18][18][18]
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[19]70/100[20]71/100[21]

The game received "average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[19][20][21] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[5]

The Sydney Morning Herald gave the game a score of four-and-a-half stars out of five and stated, "The handling is remarkable, and the fact the tracks are littered with obstacles that bounce and crash realistically makes it all the more fun. Throw in excellent damage modelling and it's plain to see that this game has nailed the core mechanics of an addictive racer perfectly."[18] The Times gave the PS2 and Xbox versions a score of four stars out of five and stated that the truly suicidal "will be in awe of the driver's ability to launch himself fatally through the windscreen, screaming, while the rest of us will love the game's easy and responsive controls, and the authentic feel of the cars."[20][21] Detroit Free Press, however, gave the Xbox version a score of two stars out of four and said that "If [the game] were only a $20 title, I'd heartily recommend it. But $50 is a lot of money to pay to turn yourself into road splatter over and over again. It's flawed, though fun."[17] Maxim gave the game a score of two stars out of five and said it was "about as interesting as a public service announcement for seatbelts."[22]

Sequels

A sequel, FlatOut 2, was released first, in Europe, on June 30, 2006. A larger variety of vehicles (including contemporary cars and pickup trucks) are included. The North American version was launched on August 1.

In 2007 Bugbear released FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, an enhanced remake of FlatOut 2, for Xbox 360.[23] The Microsoft Windows version was released on August 1, 2008.

On November 2010, Team6 Game Studios released a port of FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage for the Wii.[24] This version was met with poorer reviews than the original version by Bugbear.

On December 13, 2011 FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction for Microsoft Windows developed by Team6 was released in U.S.[25] The game was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews.

On March 17, 2017 FlatOut 4: Total Insanity developed by Kylotonn for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows.[26] This game was met with average reviews.

References

  1. ↑ "GOG.com now supports Linux!". GOG.com. August 18, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Edge staff (December 2004). "FlatOut". Edge (143): 114.
  3. 1 2 EGM staff (August 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (194): 110.
  4. ↑ Garratt, Patrick (November 1, 2004). "Flatout [sic] (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "This week's Famitsu news (Page 4)". NeoGAF. October 5, 2005. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Zoss, Jeremy (August 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (148): 98. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Navarro, Alex (July 18, 2005). "FlatOut Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Tuttle, Will (July 25, 2005). "GameSpy: FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "FlatOut Review". GameTrailers. August 5, 2005. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  10. ↑ Aceinet (December 12, 2004). "FlatOut - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ Knutson, Michael (August 10, 2005). "FlatOut - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (July 15, 2005). "FlatOut (PC)". IGN. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Sulic, Ivan (July 15, 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  14. ↑ "FlatOut". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 83. August 2005.
  15. ↑ "FlatOut". Official Xbox Magazine: 84. August 2005.
  16. ↑ "FlatOut". PC Gamer: 70. August 2005.
  17. 1 2 Huschka, Ryan (July 31, 2005). "'Flatout' [sic] (Xbox)". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 17, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Ring, Bennett (December 11, 2004). "Demolition delight". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  19. 1 2 "FlatOut for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 "FlatOut for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 "FlatOut for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ Semel, Paul (July 19, 2005). "FlatOut". Maxim. Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  23. ↑ Surette, Tim (January 3, 2007). "FlatOut 2 passes 500K sold". GameSpot. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  24. ↑ Rick, Christopher (May 4, 2010). "New Flatout Heading to the Wii". GDN 9. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  25. ↑ Flatout 3 at Team 6 Archived January 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ "FlatOut 4: Total Insanity release". Bigben Interactive. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
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