- Publisher: Empire Interactive
- Release Date: Jul 12, 2005
- Also On: PC
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Get FlatOut and prepare for the most fun you've had since that day you laughed so much you splurted milk through your nose. It's one of those driving games that tickles all your fun buttons at once, leaving you with a massive grin.
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AceGamezI'm not exaggerating when I say that Flat Out's graphics are nothing short of outstanding, surpassing most other racers out there and with the detailed physics surrounding both the courses and the vehicles, the graphics gets a big thumbs up.
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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.
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Tight car handling, a career mode that's fun without being too technically involved (unlike "Gran Turismo 4" or "SegaGT") and that same sense of speed we've come to love as of late in our racing titles establish Flatout as a worthy companion, if not successor, to "Burnout 3."
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And most important, who doesn't love a good crash where the driver flies out the window into a tree? There is a little of something here for everyone who is just looking for a little fun. Definitely worth the purchase.
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A solid bit of destruction derby/road racing hybrid madness that’s well worth picking up. Bugbear has the tools and talent to make the next game even better and I’ll definitely be along for that ride.
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The ‘instant gratification’ test from Flatout is very high which is always a good marker. Flatout does not profess to be anything but an out and out ‘revving foot on the pedal and try to waste the opposition’ game.
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Bugbear Entertainment have put together some truly challenging tracks, a great amount of fictional cars and also added a bit humour to the mix with the lack of seat belts and great mini games.
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The truly suicidal, meanwhile, 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.
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The inclusion of the ridiculously over-the-top mini-games instantly helps this game move ahead of the pack, and the online action is highly entertaining.
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For those who just want to race fast, wreck hard, and look good doing it, FlatOut fits the bill.
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The problem is that since this game has some flaws that hamper the gameplay, and the fact that there have been a couple of games that have reset the bar for games of this nature.
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The use of physics brings a genuine uniqueness to the title, but it ends up feeling more like a gimmick than anything else. Without these physics, FlatOut would fail on all fronts to be memorable. With them, it only succeeds in being only slightly above average.
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TotalGames.netCrisp and detailed car models and detailed tracks filled with things to avoid or risk destroying makes for some impressive sightseeing.
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PSM MagazineUndeniably fun and seriously pretty - it's just not as polished as a AAA game like "Burnout." [Aug 2005, p.82]
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In stark contrast to racing proper, the developers at Bugbear have neglected to take FlatOut's bonus mode far enough. I don't think they knew what they had with this extra mode until it was too late.
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It would've been nice to see more cars, deeper customization, or tighter controls, but FlatOut gets the job done.
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FlatOut is a fun racer in the vein of Destruction Derby that just about manages to carve a niche for itself. If you’re looking for a physics-heavy racer with some demanding courses then its worth checking out.
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This is a game that’s as riotously entertaining as it is viciously random... It’s gleeful automobile slapstick, but not for anyone who values skill and achievement more than taking a wrecking ball to their opponents’ racing lines. [Dec 2005, p.114]
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Play MagazineUpgrades on the variety of cars gradually up the speeds and intensity. [Aug 2005, p.50]
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Like a late-night hookup with the town floozy, this game might look promising when you take it home, but trust us, the next morning you're going to wonder why this disc is snuggled up inside your Xbox. Rent.
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Game InformerFlatOut desperately wants to be the trailer park version of EA's slicker racer, but without the polish, it succeeds in being only a pale imitation. [Aug 2005, p.98]
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Like a miniature fashion model: short, quite pretty, and as insubstantial as it is fun.
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FlatOut basically feels like a slightly more frustrating successor to the original "Destruction Derby" series on the PlayStation 1 (well, the first two games). It does have a lot to offer, but it all feels a bit soulless somehow.
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A respectable weekend time-waster. It's got enough going on to fill a late night or two, and not so much that many gamers will pine for it when it's gone.
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Official U.S. Playstation MagazineThere just isn't enough here to hold your attention. [Aug 2005, p.83]
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The racing is fun for a while, and the appeal of launching your driver like a human dart can’t be denied, but even those who love that aspect wish you could skip the drawn out animation after awhile.
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Electronic Gaming MonthlyWhen a racing game's gimmick relies on un-seat-belted drivers forcibly ejected through windshields during crashes, you know you're in trouble. [Aug 2005, p.110]
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Unfortunately, when it comes to actual racing, FlatOut is about as interesting as a public service announcement for seatbelts.
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FlatOut has all the makings of a great budget games, except that it's not great and that it's not budget priced.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 20 out of 28
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Mixed: 5 out of 28
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Negative: 3 out of 28
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Jan 15, 2023
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Oct 15, 2020
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Sep 9, 2017