FlatOut

 Xbox
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
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  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    72
    Mixing the party-friendly mini-games with Xbox Live and offline multiplayer may be enough to warrant a purchase, provided you're able to temper your single-player expectations. [Aug 2005, p.84]
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  2. Edge Magazine
    70
    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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  3. Gamestyle
    70
    Despite its flaws, and perhaps a slight over-reliance on gravitational nuance in order to bolster sales, Flat Out is not entirely a 'flat' racing experience; it's always entertaining, and never less than appealing.
  5. GamerArchive
    70
    Despite the flaws, and perhaps the slight over reliance on the "extreme physics" in order to gain a few more sales, Flatout is a quite solid, if never spectacular racing title. If you can work your way through the slow start, once the faster, more powerful cars become available to you, you'll be a very happy man (or woman).
  6. Play Magazine
    70
    Upgrades on the variety of cars gradually up the speeds and intensity. [Aug 2005, p.50]
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  7. Gamers' Temple
    70
    FlatOut has its strong points, but some annoying features and an overall lack of presentation keep it from keeping it together until the finish line.
  8. GamerFeed
    70
    Mini-games aside, however, the game seems to be lacking due to slipshod controls that can't really piece together when needed, and questionable physics that will put your driver and your windshield into a long-term relationship.
  9. Kombo
    68
    Flatout has the basics down pat for a decent racing game, but with its core gameplay aspects still a bit rusty, this is definite rental material, through and through.
  10. Game Informer
    65
    FlatOut 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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  11. Stuff
    65
    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.
  12. VGPub
    65
    If you really want your derby racer fix on the Xbox that I highly recommend going with "Eve of Destruction" or "Crash 'n Burn" instead.
  13. Yahoo!
    60
    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.
  14. 1UP
    60
    FlatOut basically feels like a slightly more frustrating successor to the original "Destruction Derby" series on the PlayStation 1 (well, the first two games).
  15. G4 TV
    60
    Like a miniature fashion model: short, quite pretty, and as insubstantial as it is fun.
  16. TotalGames.net
    58
    FlatOut wants to be a cool racing and rallying game with an arcade edge, but it ends up being a routine disappointment. [XBM]
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  17. Detroit Free Press
    50
    If Flatout 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.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Xbox Game of 2005
33
#33 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. dplatt45
    Oct 9, 2021
    7
    Growing up in my youth, this game was amazing! I used to play it for hours and be amazed with the crashes and the physics. The physics wereGrowing up in my youth, this game was amazing! I used to play it for hours and be amazed with the crashes and the physics. The physics were great for the time. As I revisit it, it’s definitely aged and looks worse than I remember. I don’t see myself playing this for that long anymore, definitely a game that was better when I was younger but not interesting now. I still give this game an average rating though because of the nostalgic close feel to it that I have connected to it. In all seriousness, this game is average. Still fun to pick up and play at times… Full Review »
  2. Untitled94
    Sep 9, 2017
    7
    This is a game that can be fun for about 1 or 2 hours at a time. It's not great, but still fun to play. The racing and destruction derby modesThis is a game that can be fun for about 1 or 2 hours at a time. It's not great, but still fun to play. The racing and destruction derby modes are OK, but the main attraction for me is the stunt mini games. Those can be very fun, and the biggest reason to get this game. It's a great game to get for at most, around $15.… Full Review »
  3. BuckmanB.
    Mar 27, 2009
    8
    If you like crashes, get this game. The damage is very realistic and what this game offers that no other racing game does, is your driver If you like crashes, get this game. The damage is very realistic and what this game offers that no other racing game does, is your driver will actually fly out the front window if you crash into something hard enough. This also happens in GTA IV but that is not a racing game. A very fun game to play, with lots of things to run into. Virtually everything on the track can move, so if you crash into it, it goes flying.… Full Review »
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