FlatOut 4: Total Insanity

FlatOut 4 is a little rough around the edges. The frame rate could be better, the single-player difficulty can be unfair at times, and online multiplayer lacks some popular event types. Still, it's an impressive package on the whole. 20 different tracks and several race types ensure that single-player and online multiplayer won't get stale too quickly. And you won't find another racing game with such a delightful emphasis on destruction.

A fun racing game filled with lots of different game modes. Too bad the graphics engine feels outdated.

For those who are tired of driving games where the rules and strategy are important, comes FlatOut 4: Total Insanity. The worst part of the game has AI problems and that it has technical deficiencies.

After a half dozen hours in the campaign it simply dawned on me that while FlatOut 4 has its moments, namely in its entertaining, yet offline only Stunt Mode, the campaign itself was simply average. The main problem is that it feels like a grind and there’s no hints at what’s needed to unlock all of the customization items like paint jobs and exhaust flames. FlatOut 4 is completely serviceable game, but there’s a lot of issues with its AI and buggy physics, as I’ve fallen through the world more than once. While it won’t bring the series back to the forefront with its rough edges, it has a decent amount of content within, topped off with a delightful stunt mode that will constantly having you aiming for a higher score, even if it is a solo affair.

Flatout 4: Total Insanity is a different driving game, where skill doesn’t count as much as brute strength. It’s a proposal full of races and game modes that will amuse those seeking for something diverse on this genre. Races, destruction and speed on exaggerated doses for a plain and straight experience.

A good but simple racing game that gets old too soon.

In this case, total insanity doesn’t equate to total fun; it equates to frequent failure. Albeit, often financially rewarding failure. No, the finer moments of FlatOut 4: Total Insanity are to be found when it’s either being more restrained or just all out daft.

Kylotonn has dredged this near-forgotten racing rebel from the very bottom of the barrel and fashioned it into a basic but fun, stunt-filled speedster, but I found myself regularly frustrated with its repetitive career mode, its stingy economy and nebulous unlockables, its superficial demolition derby events, and its uneven difficulty. A respectable franchise rescue mission but one that still needs some fine tuning and some extra grunt.

What should be lighthearted fun turns into a grind in this knockabout arcade racer. [June 2017, p.82]

Flatout 4 feels like a game destined to reinvigorate the franchise and just ran out of steam. I am a massive fan of the original game and its sequel, and while this is light years beyond the abomination that was the third game, it still falls short. More tracks, more variety, and some much needed polish would have gone a long way in bringing back this cult classic. As it stands though, arcade racers still sit dormant in today’s gaming landscape.

There should be no doubt that long-time fans of the series will be happy to finally have FlatOut return, but it will be more for the lack of anything like it available on the market right now, rather than the quality of the game this time round.

Kylotonn has produced a much improved title that remains faithful to the original franchise whilst updating it for the current generation of consoles. Graphics, physics, handling, and racing have all never been better. FlatOut 4 starts fast, furious, and certainly makes for plenty of early fun. However, after that initial adrenaline boost has passed, there comes a question about the longevity of the title. The amount of grinding required to unlock all of the content subdues that early excitement, and it remains repetitive even deep into the game. Whilst fun for the short term, its lasting appeal will probably only be present to the most invested players, leaving most others in the dust.

Flatout 4 isn’t a bad game, it’s just a massive disappointment for what could’ve been a fantastic return to the series. With some of its physics problems removed and more track content, Flatout 4 has the potential to be a good arcade racer with a lot of charm. For now, however, Flatout 4: Total Insanity will be laid back to rest.