DESCRIPTION

Blending high-speed races and dynamic crashes along with a cinematic storyline, FlatOut comes to the PC with a number of features designed to set it apart from previous racing titles. Players can leave their car before entering a race to check out the competition at the pit areas, glean some information at the local bar, perform tune-ups, and embark on brief missions to further the story. The heart of the game is the racing competition, where players hit the pedal to the metal on a variety of outdoor venues. The environment is also interactive, to the point where cars can smash through wooden barriers, send piles of stacked tires bouncing along the road, and knock orange cones flying into the distance. A number of jumps are also available, to catch some air.

Real-time damage modeling is another highlight in FlatOut, with details such as engines, transmissions, and the driver viewable after smashing, crashing, and bashing into rival vehicles. Each part is designed to dent, crumple, crack, or fly off, and parts hurtling through the air can damage other vehicles as well. A total of 16 cars are available to drive, each with varied handling and characteristics based on their real-life counterparts. Up to eight vehicles can compete simultaneously on one of 45 courses, and players have the option to either repair or purchase new cars in between each race. Multiplayer options support split-screen and linked play as well as Internet competition via the Xbox Live broadband service. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide