Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 30
  2. Negative: 4 out of 30
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  1. 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.
  2. AceGamez
    90
    I'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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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."
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 80
    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.
  11. For those who just want to race fast, wreck hard, and look good doing it, FlatOut fits the bill.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. TotalGames.net
    75
    Crisp and detailed car models and detailed tracks filled with things to avoid or risk destroying makes for some impressive sightseeing.
  15. PSM Magazine
    75
    Undeniably fun and seriously pretty - it's just not as polished as a AAA game like "Burnout." [Aug 2005, p.82]
  16. 75
    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.
  17. It would've been nice to see more cars, deeper customization, or tighter controls, but FlatOut gets the job done.
  18. 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.
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Jan 15, 2023
    9
    this game is insane, for you to see in 2004 practically the beginning of the 21st century A game with perfect physics! Applied to boththis game is insane, for you to see in 2004 practically the beginning of the 21st century A game with perfect physics! Applied to both vehicles and scenery. Nowadays, 18 years later, with super powerful processors running (ray tracing) and there are practically few games where the cars deform in realistic ways because the developers only focus on in the graphic being that the coolest thing is the details and not GRAPHICS and if you put the 2 together it's perfect Full Review »
  2. Oct 15, 2020
    9
    Pretty incredible race game for the ps2. This game is extremely immersive with a racing wheel the steering and terrain differences feel right,Pretty incredible race game for the ps2. This game is extremely immersive with a racing wheel the steering and terrain differences feel right, as do the jumps, rolls and crash physics. The game is just all around excellent and has several modes. I keep playing this and can't believe such a great racing game existed back in 2005 on the ps2. It's not so much the racing as the feel and it's implementation and pretty soon you are immersed and back for another play. Most other racing games kinda bore you this one certainly doesn't, at least with all the feedback felt through a steering wheel. The only real knock I have on the game is it does have some rubber banding effect but I have not made it to the higher hardcore races yet so it's possible this is only an entry level issue. I guess the load times are a little long with 15/20 second naps between races but worth the wait. Other race games have higher audio and video quality as well but for a ps2 era both these are at par or better with the system. Crashes and physics in the game rank as best in class on the system, sorry gt4. The game isn't really all that massive either it has a few modes which are gimmicky but I enjoy the main mode enough to rate this as the best arcade/sim hybrid ps2 game. For me, what's here is quality over quantity to my tastebuds likings. Full Review »
  3. Sep 9, 2017
    7
    I pretty much feel the same way about this version as I do the Xbox version, so to see a fuller review of this, look at the Xbox version onI pretty much feel the same way about this version as I do the Xbox version, so to see a fuller review of this, look at the Xbox version on here. It's not great, but still fun to play. Full Review »