FlatOut

{{Short description|Video game series}} {{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|FlatOut (2004 video game){{!}}''FlatOut'' (2004 video game)|other uses|Flat Out (disambiguation){{!}}Flat Out}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox video game series | title = ''FlatOut'' | image = | caption = | developer = {{Plainlist| * Bugbear Entertainment (2004–2008) * Team6 Game Studios (2010–2013) * Kylotonn (2017) }} | publisher = {{Plainlist| * Empire Interactive (2005–2008) * Strategy First (2006–2017) * Zoo Games (2010) * Team6 Game Studios (2013) * Bigben Interactive (2017) }} | platforms = Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Android, OS X, Linux, Meta Quest, PlayStation 5 | first release version = ''FlatOut'' | first release date = November 5, 2004 | latest release version = ''FlatOut 4: Total Insanity'' | latest release date = March 17, 2017 }}

'''''FlatOut''''' is a series of action demolition derby/racing video games created by Finnish independent video game developer Bugbear Entertainment.<ref name="Kuorikoski">{{cite book |last1=Kuorikoski |first1=Juho |title=Finnish Video Games: A History and Catalog |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1-4766-2119-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tGRiCQAAQBAJ&q=flatout |access-date=16 March 2019 |via=Google Books}}</ref> The ''FlatOut'' series has sold a total of almost three million units worldwide. After Bugbear developed ''FlatOut: Head On'', Dutch video game developer Team6 Game Studios developed the next three games in the series, which are the Windows-exclusive ''FlatOut 3'' and two spin-offs on Wii and Android. Kylotonn developed the series' fourth installment, ''FlatOut 4: Total Insanity'', which was released on March 17, 2017, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Europe and May 2 in the United States. In 2024, Flat2VR Studios announced a remake of FlatOut (2004) for Meta Quest, PSVR2, and SteamVR.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Ben |date=2024-08-15 |title=Flat2VR Studios Announces Four Flatscreen Games Getting VR Ports for Major Headsets |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/flat2vr-announcement-port-wrath-aeon-ruin-roboquest-flatout-trombone-champ/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Road to VR |language=en-US}}</ref>

The series has received both critical acclaim during Bugbear's development<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2019/08/01/13-years-on-bugbears-flatout-2-is-still-king-of-car-combat-will-wreckfest-change-that/?sh=74c64becb61b|title=13 Years On, BugBear's ''FlatOut 2'' is Still the King of Car Combat. Will Wreckfest Change That?|website=Forbes|date=1 August 2019|author=Matt Gardner}}</ref> and notable negative reception after the bankruptcy of Empire Interactive and ownership change to Team6<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-03-flatout-3-chaos-and-destruction-review|title=FlatOut 3: Chaos and Destruction Review|website=Eurogamer|date=5 January 2012|author=Rich Stanton}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/17/flatout-3-how-to-ruin-a-good-racing-series-forever|title=FlatOut 3: How to Ruin a Good Racing Series Forever|website=IGN|date=18 January 2012|author=Luke Reilly}}</ref> with most notably ''FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction'' being considered one of the worst video games of all time<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-video-games-metacritic-2018-4?r=US&IR=T#17-flatout-3-chaos-and-destruction-34|title= Worst 50 Games Of All Time, According to Critics|website=Business Insider|date=17 April 2018|author=Ben Gilbert}}</ref> and ''FlatOut 2'' and its remake Ultimate Carnage being considered the best in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/03/flatout-2-review|title=FlatOut 2 Review|website=IGN|date=17 May 2012|author=Chris Roper}}</ref> It was called a welcome addendum to the derby-racing genre at first but eventually died out due to a lack of critical reception alongside constant developer and publisher changes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/14-Game-Franchises-Got-Way-Worse-91857.html|title=14 Game Franchises That Got Way Worse|website=Cinema Blend|author=Will Usher}}</ref> Original developer Bugbear have since released ''Wreckfest'' (2017), which is considered a spiritual successor to the FlatOut series.

== Games == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Title ! Year released ! Platforms |- | ''FlatOut'' | 2004 | Windows, PS2, Xbox |- | ''FlatOut 2'' | 2006 | Windows, PS2, Xbox |- | ''FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage'' | 2007 | X360, Windows |- | ''FlatOut: Head On'' | 2008 | PSP |- | ''FlatOut'' | 2010 | Wii |- | ''FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction'' | 2011 | Windows |- | ''FlatOut Stuntman'' | 2013 | Android |- | ''FlatOut 4: Total Insanity'' | 2017 | PS4, Xbox One, Windows |- |''FlatOut VR'' |TBA |Meta Quest, PS5, SteamVR |}

''FlatOut{{'}}s'' gameplay style remained mostly consistent over the years, so much so that it was criticized for being stagnant and repetitive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/14-Game-Franchises-Got-Way-Worse-91857.html|title=14 Game Franchises That Got Way Worse|website=Cinema Blend|author=Will Usher}}</ref> The first game featured standard lap races and destruction derby competitions against seven computer-controlled opponents in either open environments or stadium laps. It was notable for featuring excessive car damage, silly physics and fun gameplay<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/flatout-review/1900-6129383/|title=FlatOut Review|website=Gamespot|date=18 July 2005|author=Alex Navarro}}</ref> and ''FlatOut 2'' was praised for evolving the gameplay of the first game and having better races, vehicles, graphics and controls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/03/flatout-2-review|title=FlatOut 2 Review|website=IGN|date=17 May 2012|author=Chris Roper}}</ref> It received an enhanced version on Xbox 360 called ''FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage'', which also received a port to the PlayStation Portable called ''FlatOut: Head On''.

After ''FlatOut 2'', the developers behind the series, Bugbear Entertainment, left the series and Dutch Team6 Game Studios took over the franchise for the next three entries and Kylotonn developed ''FlatOut 4: Total Insanity'', the latest game in the series. However, future games did not exceed ''FlatOut 2''{{'}}s critical reception, with ''FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction'' being considered one of the worst games ever made,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-video-games-metacritic-2018-4?r=US&IR=T#17-flatout-3-chaos-and-destruction-34|title=Worst 50 Games Of All Time, According to Critics|website=Business Insider|date=17 April 2018|author=Ben Gilbert}}</ref> ''FlatOut'' for the Wii being considered "awful" by ''Nintendo Gamer''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/flatout/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=FlatOut for Wii Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> and ''FlatOut 4: Total Insanity'' receiving middling reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/flatout-4-total-insanity/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=FlatOut 4: Total Insanity for PlayStation 4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> An iOS rag doll spin-off titled ''FlatOut Stuntman'' was developed and published by Team6 Game Studios in 2013.

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:FlatOut Category:Nacon franchises Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2005

FlatOut

Connections

Linked from

Links to (39 total)