Flatout 2 Review (Xbox) - XboxAddict.com

STAFF REVIEW of Flatout 2

Tuesday, August 29, 2006.
by Tony Ingrassia

Since the beginning of video games there have always been racing games. And in the modern day they continue to be one of the most popular genres in gaming, although the genre has sprouted some sub categories. Destruction Racers have become one of the most popular sub-genres, if you will, on the gaming horizon. One such franchise is Flatout from Bugbear Entertainment, this year Bugbear has released its sophomore installment to the series, Flatout 2. Is the game bigger and better than before? Well, yes and no

I enjoy arcade racers very much. Mindless destruction is always a great criteria for my gaming pleasure. So when faced with Flatout 2 I was more than excited to give the game a run through and see what it had to offer. The first thing I noticed was that the game was much Bigger than its original version, boasting 5 modes of play with a slew of options to keep you busy. The game is essentially split into 2 categories, racing and mini-games. Like many racers Flatout 2 offers plenty of tracks, vehicles and Obstacles for your vehicle to engage, and while the visuals are more than above par, only suffering from some clipping at times, my only problem with the racing aspect is very simple, the vehicles suffer from Floating controls. I understand this isnt a SIM racer, but its enough to take away from this aspect of the game. The racing does an admirable job at bringing very diverse tracks, AI, and debris from the very impressive Damage engine, but none the less that one small blemish looms large. That being said, Flatout 2s Racing is better than its predecessor, but nothing really new and exciting.

Now I know this sounds like a game thats headed for the cellar, but here is where the fun lies in my opinion. Flatout 2 delivers the most entertaining mini-games in a good long time. To be honest the Rag-doll minis more than make up for the racing Blemish. Once again, there are 2 types of mini games, the Rag-doll Stunts and the Demolition Derby. The Rag-Doll games offer 12 stunts ranging from a High Jump to a human Stone Skipping competition over a pool. Toss in the human Dart Board and you will get a chuckle playing through these mini games. Each mini game has the same basic concept in control, speed, angle, and a human projectile. Its simple yet take s some calculations to reach lofty goals, your vehicle has a set distance to travel before launching its driver through the windshield, as you approach the end of your track you can control the angle of your driver as he explodes out of the vehicle, once in mid air you have acrobatic control over him, basically minor shifts in direction with the analog stick, and one small elevation bonus by tapping the A button. The rag-doll effects themselves arent bad, the humor is in how your driver lands, or slowly rolls down fencing as he snags his hand, leg, or head on the barrier of choice. Again, I know this sounds simplistic, but the rag-doll mini games are extremely entertaining. If you enjoyed them before, youll love them now.

The other surprise in the Flatout 2 package is the Destruction Derby mini game, some great arenas and a ton of fun. 8 racers in one arena smashing each other to bits, earn boost as you cause damage and inflict even more damage as you zero in on your next target. Each rival has a specific style and youll find out quickly who needs a little Extra attention. For those of you thinking of just avoiding the carnage until the odds are in your favor, save it, you need to hit something every 50 seconds or be disqualified. It also takes a little thought when it comes to picking your vehicle of choice; weight, traction and acceleration all come into play. Heavier vehicles sustain more damage, but have a harder time out running the AI. Faster cars need to watch those dirt tracks, its hell on the handling. In other words, as much as you can just take off and enjoy, there is some thought process involved in the mini games of Flatout 2.

Multiplayer modes round off the package, with up to 8 players in the racing mode, and the inclusion of the Rag-Doll mini games and Destruction Derby Arenas to online play is a sweet treat. Flatout 2 also has a great soundtrack consisting of some great rock tunes to fit the mood.

All in all Bugbear did an admirable job making Flatout 2 a better game than its original, more verity, more tracks, more cars, and more rag-doll games. If you enjoyed the original this is a no brainer, if you liked the mini games in the first game, again a no brainer. If you like party games I highly recommend giving Flatout 2 a go just on the merit of the mini games. So while they may have set out building a Destruction Racer with mini games, I see Flatout 2 being more popular do to its mini games rather than the racerand there is nothing at all wrong with that.

Suggestions:
If Bugbear could solidify the vehicle control in the racing mode, this game would be 100% solid in every aspect. Even so, a great sophomore effort.

Overall: 7.6 / 10
Gameplay: 7.6 / 10
Visuals: 8.0 / 10
Sound: 7.6 / 10

Videos

Comments

Xbox Game Search

Top Community Gamerscores

1. Symmetric-XBA - 129,608
2. Variation-XBA - 82,045
3. Nato King-XBA - 66,408
4. Timmy Bauer - 58,540
5. Symmetrics Love - 48,108
6. Enamelized420-XBA - 41,520
7. Silent-XBA - 38,782
8. Ainokeatoo-XBA - 34,586
9. Roujin-XBA - 31,868
10. Kamshaft-XBA - 30,064
11. sojourner - 29,484
12. oryanphine - 27,431
13. thAshAdyOne - 26,895
14. Casper - 26,315
15. Soda Jones - 24,398
16. SpaceGhost2K-XBA - 23,375
17. Tampad - 22,256
18. Fargoth - 17,904
19. WillyV2 - 16,878
20. Vampero - 14,760
21. TAXCOLLECTER675 - 13,656
22. HaZarD SFD-XBA - 12,822
23. mattgame - 11,925
24. EMX - 10,990
25. BigJosh359 - 9,945

Community Forum Activity

Confirmed-ms announces you can share your games on xbox one
Post by Symmetrics Love
6 Replies, 56 Views

My Opinion on the Xbox One
Post by Silent-XBA
6 Replies, 81 Views

Did you order your day one console?
Post by Kamshaft-XBA
7 Replies, 103 Views

If you're a devoted X-Box game player, why is it better for you than PS3?
Post by GBaxter
3 Replies, 126 Views

Xbox One , No headset !?
Post by Vampero
9 Replies, 320 Views

Forza 5
Post by LiLJoe608
3 Replies, 207 Views

So, the conference is over E3 is over, your opinions?
Post by Ainokeatoo-XBA
15 Replies, 346 Views

Achievment on Xbox One
Post by oryanphine
0 Replies, 308 Views

E3 2013 Pictures
Post by Symmetric-XBA
7 Replies, 283 Views

Episode 20 Posted from E3 2013 - The Press Breifings!
Post by Kamshaft-XBA
0 Replies, 266 Views

Microsoft must be retired Xbox One and videogames ?
Post by oryanphine
6 Replies, 655 Views

Microsoft press briefing floor! - FIXED
Post by Kamshaft-XBA
5 Replies, 254 Views

Raiden 4
Post by oryanphine
0 Replies, 277 Views

We made it!
Post by Kamshaft-XBA
2 Replies, 150 Views

xbox original rare edition
Post by oryanphine
3 Replies, 383 Views

Xbox Addict

STAFF REVIEW of Flatout 2

Videos

Comments

Xbox Game Search

Latest News

New XBOne policy means Family Share, No Disc out

Looks Like Microsoft Took Backsies!

(RUMOR) MS backing down on DRM, Used Games?

First DLC for The Bureau will be 360 exclusive

Assassin’s Creed IV an Xbox One launch title

Thunder Wolves Available on XBLA

NCAA Football 14 Demo Launches

Top Community Gamerscores

Community Forum Activity

Site Statistics