Flatout 2
Review
Improved in almost all areas of the original, making for a fun and action packed day at the races
by Morg
reviewed on PC
Crash, Bang, Wallop!
It would be considered a great travesty to complete a race without having at least ten crashes in the game. For a start, the often crazy jumps, numerous obstacles and other cars will make sure that your laps tend to be more eventful than originally planned. To add to the incentives to crash, you gain bonuses for the more spectacular hits, ranging from 'Slam' for a low speed collision, up to 'Blast Out' for dealing out massive damage to the opponent. At the end of the race, these bonuses are added to your final credits for the race. There are also bonuses for fastest lap, and bulldozer (given to the person destroying the most scenery) and all these combined give you a decent reason to decide that, tonight, you just don't feel like winning in the usual way. Instead, why not just wreck everyone else on the track and win that way?! Either will work fine.
Furthermore, the damage model most certainly does not disappoint. Bodywork crumples in more ways than you thought possible, sparks and debris regularly fly all over the track with their own physics, and cars can lose wheels and catch fire if they are sufficiently damaged. Despite all of this action, the game runs as smoothly as butter at maximum details and high resolutions on my modest gaming rig, with a 2 year old video card. The addition of a rolling restart option at any time in Flatout 2 also helps hugely in multiplayer and means that even if you go miles off the track, you can be competitive again at the push of a button. The return of the nitro button can also be a saving grace, as you go for the front, or merely the next car to destroy. On the final lap of any race, there is often close competition for the amount of debris and car parts on the track. One minor negative point surrounding collisions and general engine noise is the sound quality. The engines sound weak and other sound effects are either somewhat muted or too loud for what they should be. The soundtrack of metal fits the game reasonably well, but could have benefited from being longer and wider ranging.
Tracks, Stunts and Competition
There are some six different environments to race in and tracks can have you racing through anything from shopping malls and car parks to forests and farms. Although most tracks are extensions or different sections of the same overall map, they do have a really different feel and again give you the sense of greater depth. The stunt section of the game has been greatly improved, with more user control on your man. For those unfamiliar with this, the twelve stunt events range from curling and bowling, through to high jump and stone skipping, and involve selecting a rocket powered car and firing your man, who will smash through the window, out at various angles to complete your objective. Whether that is multiple strikes in a row or a slam dunk, the stunt mode is a great little addition to the main meat of the game and provides a hilarious aside for multiplayer experiences.
Destruction derby type events are fairly standard, and it is a shame that more attention wasn't paid to this section. Whilst crashes, physics and bonuses are all accurate and by the same token outrageous at times, the environments are a little dull and have hardly moved on from the first instalment. Indicators above cars also show how much damage they have taken, so you can pick out weaker members, which is rather unnecessary considering the high visual damage. Fun can still be had in this mode with friends, yet the sometimes frustrating AI can make this one versus seven, and thus very tricky. The ability to set up any mix of tournament events comprising of stunts, races and derbies adds weight to the multiplayer portion of the game.
More than just a laugh
Overall, Flatout 2 provides a much fuller experience than the original. There is more depth and although it is still lacking in great levels of difficulty, you cannot help but laugh and enjoy yourself during play. Additional multiplayer and stunt events, along with a longer career, make this well worthy of spending your money on. Hardcore simulation fans can look the other way, whilst those new to the genre or those just up for something against the grain should check this out; it doesn't disappoint. If you enjoy wild stunts, close racing, lots of damage and -most of all- having fun, than this game is for you.
9.0
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
