FlatOut 2

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,764 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
FlatOut 2 Game Cover
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"FlatOut 2" is a high-speed racing game with destructible environments and vehicles, featuring over 5000 destructible objects on each track. The game offers enhanced physics, a career mode, and a variety of racing environments, vehicles, and mini-games. With LAN multiplayer mode, players can experience intense races and mayhem with friends.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,764 reviews
music654 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • music1,239 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic rock and metal soundtrack, featuring popular artists like Rob Zombie, Nickelback, and Fall Out Boy, which many players find nostalgic and fitting for the chaotic racing experience. However, some users note that the soundtrack can feel repetitive due to a limited selection of tracks, leading to a desire for more variety. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the gameplay and evokes strong memories for many players.

    • “The soundtrack is so memorable that I was once driving my real life car, and as I passed a stretch of road close to where I live, I saw two cars that had crashed, their bumpers hanging, bent chassis and slanted wheels.”
    • “The perfect blend of speed, music, and adrenaline.”
    • “The soundtrack maintains the high-energy vibe of the first game, featuring a mix of rock and alternative tracks that complement the intense on-screen action.”
    • “I'm not sure if there's just not that many pieces in the soundtrack or if there is a lot of music but the game just likes to repeat the same few ones over and over again.”
    • “The graphics and sounds aren't half bad, but the music was kinda irritating, so I just turned it to minimum volume.”
    • “The soundtrack is complete shit, though.”
  • graphics466 mentions

    The graphics of Flatout 2, while showing their age as a 2006 title, are generally regarded as surprisingly good, with many players noting that they still hold up well today. The art style is appreciated for its gritty realism, and the physics engine enhances the visual experience, particularly during crashes. However, some users mention graphical glitches and a lack of modern settings, indicating that while the visuals are decent, they do not compete with contemporary racing games.

    • “The graphics are surprisingly good for a game of its age, and the physics adds a satisfying level of chaos to the races.”
    • “The graphics still look impressive for the time.”
    • “With its outstanding gameplay, explosive destruction derby mode, variety of race modes, and top-notch graphics, this game is an absolute must-play for any racing enthusiast.”
    • “There is no resolution setting in the game; you can change your keybinds and the volume of the game, etc., but there's no real graphic settings.”
    • “One obvious graphical glitch is that the wheels of other cars disappear if they move away a certain distance from you, and the wheels magically reappear when they get close.”
    • “The game was made in the seventh generation of consoles, which means it's got a fair amount of brown, dirty graphics.”
  • gameplay372 mentions

    The gameplay of Flatout 2 is widely praised for its fun, chaotic racing mechanics and emphasis on destruction, making it a standout in the arcade racing genre. Players appreciate the variety of modes, including demolition derbies and stunt challenges, alongside a satisfying physics engine that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention issues with balance and repetitive elements, the game's engaging mechanics and memorable soundtrack contribute to its lasting appeal and nostalgic value.

    • “With the tweaked gameplay, Flatout 2 now has more emphasis on destruction compared to its predecessor, and this makes it so much more fun to play.”
    • “The physics-based racing mechanics are incredibly satisfying, allowing you to feel every bump, jump, and collision with stunning realism.”
    • “Flatout 2 is an adrenaline-fueled racing game that provides an exhilarating and satisfying gameplay experience.”
    • “The entire gameplay doesn't make any sense.”
    • “There is absolutely no reward for driving well, luck plays a big role in every race, and the 'catch-up mechanics' that the game uses are severely overdone - when you're in the lead, cars behind you get 20% faster, and when you're behind a few cars, they slow down like crazy and sometimes even crash before the finish line in an obvious attempt to let you win - which means there's no reward for driving accurate tight lines, and you only win races by not crashing, even if you drive like shit.”
    • “The gameplay started to suck, no destruction like in Flatout 1, no flying drivers, no screaming flying drivers through the windshield, no car damage, the tracks are lame and a lot straightforward and I could continue.”
  • humor112 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by chaotic races, absurd mini-games, and hilarious ragdoll physics that often lead to comical crashes and driver ejections. Players find joy in the game's wacky animations and entertaining game modes, especially when enjoyed with friends, making it a source of laughter and fun during multiplayer sessions. While not the game's primary focus, the humor significantly enhances the overall experience, keeping players engaged and entertained.

    • “The janky animations when your character flies out of the window are so silly and stupid that they made me laugh many times.”
    • “Flatout 2 is a high-octane, adrenaline-pumping racing game that masterfully blends thrilling races, destructive demolition derbies, and hilarious ragdoll mini-games.”
    • “These hilarious events involve launching your driver through the windshield in various scenarios like high jump, bowling, and darts.”
  • story84 mentions

    The game's story is largely absent, with many players noting that it lacks a traditional narrative and instead focuses on a straightforward progression of racing and car upgrades. While some appreciate the absence of a convoluted storyline, others feel that a more engaging story mode could enhance the experience. Overall, the emphasis is on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling, leading to mixed feelings about the narrative aspect.

    • “Unique AI adds flavor to the story, and destruction feels meaty and satisfying.”
    • “Edit: also, the story is longer than its older brother, FlatOut 1.”
    • “No stupid story, just full of fun and action and a great soundtrack to crash into your opponents' cars.”
    • “This game has no story; you start, you want to be the best, done.”
    • “Barely any story beyond the one you make in your head, but there is a very pleasant career mode where you can buy and upgrade all of the cars.”
    • “But the game makes it feel like they didn't put a story mainly because they didn't have the money for it.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, with players noting its diverse environments, competitive AI, and various game modes that keep the experience fresh. Many users highlight the enjoyment of competing against friends and the ability to explore different cars and events, ensuring that boredom is unlikely. Even with the absence of online multiplayer, the game's content and replay value remain strong, making it a favorite for extended play.

    • “This game will keep you entertained for many hours and for its price, it offers a lot of content and replay value.”
    • “Competing against friends in races or demolition derbies adds a competitive edge that enhances the replayability.”
    • “To be honest, this game has aged like wine; it has a lot of replay value, and we even have a way to play multiplayer after the Gamespy shutdown back in 2014. The soundtrack is so good, it perfectly fits the chaotic races and demolition derby gameplay.”
    • “I've lost my save file countless times for this game, but the replayability factor is very strong with this game, and the first one.”
    • “Other than that, your main source of replayability is doing events outside of career more.”
    • “It has a decent variety of game modes that add to replayability, despite the fact that multiplayer no longer works.”
  • optimization56 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance, no crashes, and the ability to run on low-end hardware. While there are some minor performance issues noted, such as instability with screen capture and occasional inconsistencies in gameplay, the game is generally considered well-optimized for both modern and older systems. However, it is mentioned that controller support could be improved, as keyboard navigation is still necessary for menu operations.

    • “Amazing childhood game I grew up on still runs perfect, zero bugs, extremely well optimized with today's tech, hardly crashes.”
    • “And also possibly the most optimized game I have ever played, it literally runs on anything.”
    • “Plus, the way this game is optimized, it runs at 60fps on my potato computer!”
    • “Isn't really optimized for controllers and steering wheels (you still need your keyboard to operate the menu).”
    • “Game gives you a variety of tracks in different environments such as deserts, forests, suburbs, etc., and a big variety of cars which you can upgrade. However, sometimes it feels pointless because opponents with the same cars as yours still drive a bit faster.”
    • “Having destructible objects that are completely destroyed when applying lots of force to them could reduce draw calls and improve the game's performance as well.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its electrifying energy, driven by a rock soundtrack that enhances the racing experience. Players appreciate the diverse maps, destructible environments, and engaging voiceovers that contribute to a sense of rivalry and excitement. Despite some dated graphics, the overall ambiance evokes nostalgia and keeps players immersed for hours.

    • “The rocking tunes and pulse-pounding beats create an electrifying atmosphere, propelling you forward and keeping your adrenaline pumping throughout every race.”
    • “The atmosphere is done perfectly with a modest selection of race tracks and an awesome rock soundtrack that make you feel like you're an actual demolition derby driver.”
    • “Dated, but surprisingly good graphics and great atmosphere.”
    • “The bloom doesn't help to make an upbeat atmosphere; rather, it is obtrusive and blinding. No idea how I played FlatOut 2 with the post-processing on back then.”
    • “Even with a low number of polygons and low-quality textures, it still has a soul and atmosphere to it; different game modes add a tone of fun.”
    • “Much like the soundtrack in Crazy Taxi, the songs haven't aged well, but they really complement the atmosphere of the game.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can hinder the experience. However, the single-player mode remains enjoyable and runs well on modern hardware, with some players noting minimal issues overall. Despite its flaws, it is still considered a favorite in the racing and derby genre by some.

    • “Looks and runs great on modern hardware and has support for a game controller, but sadly without force feedback.”
    • “A small amount or no glitches.”
    • “Runs great on any potato.”
    • “This is a strange game, very flawed, buggy, and hard to control.”
    • “Do not buy this game; it is a waste. It does not work, has so many glitches, and is not that fun.”
    • “The bad things about this game are the lack of multiplayer (Steamworks' multiplayer would be great for this game) and some troubleshooting, which was really easy to fix, but it's still an issue.”
  • grinding28 mentions

    Grinding in the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, requiring players to race multiple times to earn money for upgrades. While some appreciate the nostalgic grind typical of older racing games, others find it can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially with aggressive AI and cumbersome online track selection. However, the game does offer a wealth of content without the need for excessive farming, which is seen as a positive aspect.

    • “And for a 2006 PS2 game, this has a lot of content that has no farming for parts you need, which is awesome.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's exactly how an old grinding game goes: you race, you redo some races to get better places, upgrade your ride to win better places; it goes on like that forever (or until the end of the game).”
    • “This probably began to sound tedious, considering it's done only for money.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The game features a well-designed experience reminiscent of early 2000s titles, with humorous fictional ads integrated into the gameplay. Notably, there are no microtransactions or additional DLCs required, allowing players to enjoy the full experience without any in-game purchases.

    • “There isn't much to say about this game; this is a simple early 2000s game type of fun where there are no microtransactions or any additional DLC needed for the full experience of this game.”
    • “☑️ No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “- No in-game purchases.”
    • “=== microtransactions / DLC policy ===”
    • “☐ microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
    • “- no in-game purchases”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is perceived as somewhat generic, with limited depth in track and character design. However, the focus remains on the racing mechanics, which successfully balance control and chaos, overshadowing the lack of character growth.

  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional response to the "FlatOut" series, particularly "FlatOut 3," is overwhelmingly negative, with users expressing strong disdain and advising others to avoid the game entirely. This suggests a significant disappointment and frustration with the emotional engagement it offers.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy FlatOut 2

Play time

9hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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