I think part 2 is out now, but I picked up the first Flatout off eBay- brand new and cheap. It was a good purchase 
Don't expect GT4 style realism here, but the game is fun and there is damage. Lots of damage, to both car and driver.
GT4 is clean and precise, Flatout is dirty and rough. The cars are generic American muscle cars, and the tuning is pretty simple- engine, drivetrain, exhaust, suspension, tires & brakes, body- with good / better / best options for all.
Races take place in the woods, through small towns, farm fields, and construction zones, over pavement, dirt, and snow.
The graphics look pretty good over component video. Seems like they might be hard appreciate over composite cables, however. Anyway, this is not a game that will wow you with photorealistic graphics, but they are still good and the designers nailed certain aspects of the "look" - like the yellow glow of late afternoon light and the bare trees against the winter sky.
The car models aren't amazing, but the way the cars break apart is nice and detailed. When panels fly off your car, you can see the parts underneath (engine, suspension) working.
For me, this was the type of game where you will restart some races 10 times to get a good start of it, since there are often massive pileups 30 seconds after the green light. But once you get a good start, the racing is fun and challenging.
One tip- avoid giant HP upgrades. Do you drivetrain, suspension, tires & brakes, and body first. You'll feel the improvements and outrun the competition. But as soon as you mess with the engine, and add 30HP, all the other cars get just as fast, and things seem to stay even.
I have a feeling Flatout fell under the radar, but if you see it for 20 bucks somtime, it might be worth the ride.
And yes, it works with the 900 degree Driving Force Pro.
Don't expect GT4 style realism here, but the game is fun and there is damage. Lots of damage, to both car and driver.
GT4 is clean and precise, Flatout is dirty and rough. The cars are generic American muscle cars, and the tuning is pretty simple- engine, drivetrain, exhaust, suspension, tires & brakes, body- with good / better / best options for all.
Races take place in the woods, through small towns, farm fields, and construction zones, over pavement, dirt, and snow.
The graphics look pretty good over component video. Seems like they might be hard appreciate over composite cables, however. Anyway, this is not a game that will wow you with photorealistic graphics, but they are still good and the designers nailed certain aspects of the "look" - like the yellow glow of late afternoon light and the bare trees against the winter sky.
The car models aren't amazing, but the way the cars break apart is nice and detailed. When panels fly off your car, you can see the parts underneath (engine, suspension) working.
For me, this was the type of game where you will restart some races 10 times to get a good start of it, since there are often massive pileups 30 seconds after the green light. But once you get a good start, the racing is fun and challenging.
One tip- avoid giant HP upgrades. Do you drivetrain, suspension, tires & brakes, and body first. You'll feel the improvements and outrun the competition. But as soon as you mess with the engine, and add 30HP, all the other cars get just as fast, and things seem to stay even.
I have a feeling Flatout fell under the radar, but if you see it for 20 bucks somtime, it might be worth the ride.
And yes, it works with the 900 degree Driving Force Pro.
