FlatOut Video Game Series
FlatOut is a series of arcade racing games with a heavy emphasis on destroying rivals' cars. Advanced destruction systems allow you to crush bodywork, smash windshields and even tear off whole sections of vehicles. Over the years, the various parts of the series were created by various development studios located in different countries. French Kylotonn is responsible for the development of the latest four, while publishing issues were handled by Strategy First.
The first installment of the series, FlatOut, was released in 2004 for PC and PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles. It was developed by Finnish team Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive. The duo also released three sequels: FlatOut 2 (2006) for the same platforms as the one, FlatOut: Apocalypse (FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage) for Xbox 360 (2007) and PCs only (2008), and FlatOut: Head On (2008) for the PlayStation Portable. Two years later, a version appeared on Wii consoles. FlatOut (2010) developed by the Dutch Team6 Game Studios and published by Zoo Games Inc. From the hands of the same developer came the part FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction, released in late 2011 by Strategy First and available only for personal computers. In 2013. Team6 Game Studios created a small game for Android mobile devices: FlatOut - Stuntman. The latest full-fledged part four, FlatOut 4: Total Insanity, was released in 2017 for PC and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. This time the development of the game was handled by French studio Kylotonn. The role of publisher, as in the case of part number three, was fulfilled by Strategy First.
An integral part of the series FlatOut are the destruction systems and accompanying physics simulations. The brutal races in which players take part are frenzied pushes - sheaves of sparks mix with torn-off pieces of bodywork, shattered barriers and broken hurdles. The racetracks also feature dislodged scaffolding, rolling barrels, destructible walls and a whole host of other environmental elements with which to interact. For example, the city route in part two allows the player to run across the entire width of a store in no time.
Performing demolition is not only fun in itself, but also a way to recharge the nitro bar - a bonus acceleration that can be fired at any time. Impressive crashes are also rewarded with funds, which in career mode we can spend on upgrading car components, or on buying new machines.
Powerful crashes can result in the driver being ejected through the windshield. This feature has become the main attraction of additional gameplay modes, in which proper "launching" of one's own driver is the way to victory. Mobile game FlatOut - Stuntman elevated this element of the series to the status of the main game mode, abandoning ordinary racing.
Another common gameplay mode in the series requires us to move around a small arena, where players try to damage opponents' cars with accurate hits. The winner there is the last driver who still has a working machine.
Over the years, the series FlatOut has generally been rated quite positively. On metacritic.com, the best ratings were given to parts of FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage (Metascore 80/100 for the Xbox 360 version and 79/100 for the PC version) and FlatOut 2 (76/100 for the PC version). A rather serious slip-up the series scored with parts of FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction, whose Metascore was only 23/100 (as of 24.09.2017).
FlatOut Series Evolution
2017
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity
2011
FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction
2008
FlatOut: Head On
2007
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage
2006
FlatOut 2
2004
FlatOut
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity
Racing
March 17, 2017
The fourth full-fledged installment in the spectacular racing series Flatout started in 2004 by Finnish studio Bugbear Entertainment. After the cold reception of the third installment in the series, the task of creating the new entry was given to Kylotonn studio, the creators of the fifth installment of the popular rally series WRC. The game is strongly based on notes and suggestions of the community and promptly returns to the roots of the series. In the game the player traditionally participates in brutal races in which one can win not only by driving fast, but by eliminating the vehicles of the opponents as well. FlatOut 4: Total Insanity has the option to destroy the environmental objects, create astonishing crashes and sports a realistic destruction system – all the features that were the iconic traits of the series since it was created.
FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction
Racing
December 13, 2011
The third major installment in a popular series of racing games, marrying traditional racing with unrestrained destruction of enemies’ cars and elements of the environment alike. In contrast to previous installments of the series, FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction is a product of a completely new developer – Team 6, responsible for a number of low-budget racing games and a FlatOut installment for Wii. The basic rules of the game haven’t changed. During the gameplay, we use almost 50 car models on more than 60 diverse race tracks, filled with heaps of destructible elements. Among the nine crazy game modes, we can find Destruction Derby arenas, known from the game's predecessors, as well as stuntman challenges. A completely new system of physics and destruction has been created for the game, while the races have become even faster and more dynamic. The graphical layer has also been redone, now featuring a visual style completely different from the game's predecessors.
FlatOut: Head On
Racing
January 15, 2008
A racing game developed by Six by Nine in cooperation with the original creators of the series, Bugbear Entertainment. The title is the first installment in the crazy series FlatOut created for portable devices. Similarly as in case of the full-fledged installments of the series, the game is a combination of classic racing with total destruction in which damaging the opponents and destroying the surroundings is rewarded. The player can select from 40 varied levels in 6 sceneries and 45 vehicles among which there is for example a school bus. In addition to the classic races played in career mode, the developers also included the Destruction Derby and Rag Doll modes known from other platforms. FlatOut: Head On offers online competition in Ad-hoc mode for four players and a special party mode in which up to eight players can compete with each other in a series of stunts.
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage
Racing
June 22, 2007
Another installment in the popular series of crazy car racing games. The title is an improved and expanded version of the second entry in the series which was released in 2006. The mechanics of FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage are the same as the ones of its predecessor and they combine classic car racing with the possibility to destroy and eliminate enemy vehicles. In some game modes the developers have completely removed the racing features and focused entirely on impressive car battles like in Destruction Derby and on a stunt mode known as Rag Doll. In comparison to the original version of the game, the developers greatly improved both the graphics and physics engine, and the destruction system that has the key importance in the game. The vehicles are more detailed and much more dynamic, destructible objects appear on each level. The game has also five completely new single player modes and two previously unavailable multiplayer modes.
FlatOut 2
Racing
June 30, 2006
FlatOut 2 brings a continuation to a "brutal" racing game developed by Bugbear Entertainment. The original game combined regular racing competition with unlimited destruction - both cars and environmental objects could be damaged and / or destroyed. In FlatOut 2, the creators focused on extending the scope of mayhem the player witnesses, thus the only real challenge the player can encounter in this game constitutes of making it to the finish line in one piece. What's more, the crashes and car damage are visually even more impressive than in the original FlatOut, thanks to the improved graphics and an upgraded engine behind the in-game physics. The game offers 16 fully customizable cars, as well as 8 drivers differing in driving style and attitude towards opponents. FlatOut 2 brings both single player and multiplayer experience, for up to 8 players in the latter case. Additionally, Destruction Derbies were also included, similar to the original game. In Rag Doll events the player will "ski jump" or drive through fiery rings for example.
FlatOut
Racing
November 5, 2004
A dynamic racing game created by Bugbear Entertainment - a Finnish developer studio. The game references such franchises as Burnout or Destruction Derby, because in this competition causing as much damage as possible during the race is as much important as who crosses the finish line first. The player takes part in brutal races taking place on 48 different tracks filled with shortcuts and destructible objects. The game is arcade in terms of the driving physics, though car damage affects both the performance and the handling of the car. Flatout features an extensive single player campaign, during which the player buys new cars and upgrades them gradually. However, multiplayer competition was also included. Apart from regular races, the game offers destruction derbies and a series of crazy mini-games requiring the player mainly to launch the driver through the windshield.