FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage Hands-On

The concept of combining racing with crashing in video games is nothing new, but the success of games such as Destruction Derby, Carmageddon, and the Burnout franchise over the years seems to indicate that our appetite for destruction still isn't sated. Last year's FlatOut 2 was another good addition to the list, and now that the next-gen version of that game is nearing completion, we got a look at how it's coming along.

The main body of content in FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage is basically the same as in FlatOut 2, although it looks a little different. You jump in one of more than 40 different cars, and then try and win races, not just by being the fastest on the track, but by smashing up the opposition as well. You're also rewarded for driving on the edge and receive a boost bonus for power slides and other risky manoeuvres. However, anybody who played the old game will still find plenty that's new this time around, with some fantastic visuals, a couple of new vehicles, and a raft of new gameplay modes included.

There are now 12 cars in every race, each containing around 25,000 polygons, along with 40 distinct deformable panels, which deteriorate throughout each race as you collide with objects or other cars. The effects feel more dynamic than in the previous game, and while you can fail to finish a race if your car is completely destroyed, your ride will take quite a beating before that happens. To see just how the new game looks, check out our exclusive 360 degree screenshot.

The game features 39 tracks in all, taking place across a variety of times of day, and each one contains around 8,000 objects for you to smash into (or avoid). These range from crates to plate glass windows to shop fronts, and there's even one section of a race in which you drive through a shopping mall. There are usually a couple of different routes that you can take through each part of a race lap, some of which will yield shortcuts and others of which might prove dangerous if not driven accurately enough, so get to know the circuit, and you'll reap the rewards.

From playing through a few races with the latest build, the game's still a blast to play. In the single-player game, we found the opposition drivers tough to face up against, which made for some great racing. With the way that the artificial intelligence works, each computer-controlled vehicle is fighting every other vehicle in the field, which means that everyone doesn't just gang up on you. Not only does that seem fair on paper, but it also gives the racing a nice edge--at one point, we took advantage of a battle between two AI cars, and they were going at it so fiercely that it was as if they didn't even see us until we went past them.

There are five new single-player race modes to play through, including a career mode that looks like it could be quite engrossing. The basic premise isn't rocket science--win races to raise money to buy upgrades and new vehicles, and then go race some more to get even more cash. There are three grades of difficulty, and you'll compete in a series of events--some voluntary, some compulsory--in which you need to finish in at least third to progress.

There's also a new time-trial mode, where you're racing against medal-rated set lap times, and a deathmatch derby--a new spin on the old arena events, in which the player with the most kills wins. All of the races can be replayed afterward from a variety of angles, and while you won't want to dwell on this every time, it's a nice option to have.

One of the key improvements in the game is likely to be the increased functionality made possible by the Xbox 360's Live platform. As before, up to eight players will be able to race online against each other, although two new modes have been added, including one concept we think could shape up to be a lot of fun. Head on is a race in which all the drivers speed to one end of a track, before turning around and racing back again. The potential for realising the game's title of ultimate carnage sounds huge.

Another of the benefits for Xbox Live is that it will allow developer Bugbear to design and release new tracks and vehicles after the game's release. We're not sure at this point what the exact plans are in this area, or what such downloads might cost, but certainly the intention is to utilise that functionality as far as possible.

The other key part of the game that will be expanded for the Xbox 360 is the arcade challenge section. This includes the outrageous rag-doll challenges in which you propel your vehicle's driver out through the windscreen of your car and through a variety of obstacles. For example, one challenge is set in a giant bowling alley, in which the poor soul must knock down as many pins as possible. In another, it's sent flying through a series of flaming rings, toward a swimming pool at the end.

Most of these challenges are hilarious and make for great party games. They're simple to get into but can take a while to master, and while they sound a little gruesome, there's no gore--the driver's rag-doll physics is amusing, rather than terrifying. You'll also be able to play these stunts online, where they'll take place simultaneously, as opposed to turn-based.

So far, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage is shaping up to be a fun and intense upgrade to last year's game. It's certainly looking next gen, and the new additions should make it feel more comprehensive as a gameplay experience. We'll have more on the game nearer to its release, so keep checking back for more.