FlatOut preview

There are some advantages to working in the video games press. Of course, we can play big hits before you do but I was thinking more of the pleasure of discovering an unannounced gem, a less hyped game with great potential. FlatOut is just such a title. If of course, it is too early to predict a similar surprising fame à la Trackmania, the awesome arcade driving game from Nadeo, but we can at least say that FlatOut has a good chance for similar success.

Destruction Derby 2004

Developed by the Finnish studio Bugbear Entertainment, best known for their work on Soldner: Secret Wars (take it easy – they are not responsible for the tons of bugs in the game as they only worked on the vehicles) and the well designed Rally Trophy in 2001. FlatOut is a semi-realistic driving game with an advanced damage system thanks to the Havok engine, which takes into account the slightest impact and change in the environnement.

In fact, if you need a clear picture, FlatOut is more or less Destruction Derby with the physics of Unreal Tournament 2004. Examples: your car can break through a wooden barrier, which then explodes like in the best action movies. The state of your car also evolves depending on the damage you take. And if some simulations like the Colin McRae series already have an advance damage system, FlatOut is remarkable because it’s damage system even extends to the objects in the environment... if you have a violent crash, the driver can be ejected through the windscreen letting you admire the ragdoll effect of your body flying through the air!

Physics in games, better than in school!

In the version we played, FlatOut has a good variety of landscapes from urban to a proper racing circuit and even a derby arena. In this last circuit, you can eject your driver as far as possible in the automotive equivalent of long-jumping in athletics. For the others features, FlatOut appears more mudane with new circuits to open, a championship and a multiplayer mode. Of course, it was not implemented in our version but we can expect four players to race at the same time.

For the gameplay, this version was very satisfactory. Driving was very pleasant in a style in-between arcade and simulation, with some fantastic crashes and an agressive AI. In fact, our biggest concerns for the AI at the moment is that it is too good, with computer controlled drivers abusing the nitro. In a recent interview though, developers from Bugbear told us that they have this problem under control.

The physics engine will also be more balanced and some details will be adjusted. To conclude, we’d say that FlatOut is easily one of the most impressive new racers out there. We don’t know if it’s going to be a hit, but if the developers at Bugbear have time to correct one or two minor issues it should be an excellent surprise when it is released on PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in October.