FlatOut 2

The Good
You can now play the ragdoll mini-games without having to play the races first.

The Bad
Unfortunately, FlatOut 2 still suffers from the same problems that plagued the original FlatOut. These problems are so bad, in fact, that I placed last in every single race every single time. Sound bad? Well, get this: I place first in Burnout: Revenge about 60% of the time. Yes, I probably sound like I'm bragging here, but even then, Burnout Revenge is widely considered to be one of the best racing games of all time. I think it knows what it's doing.

You see, the problem is that FlatOut 2 feels totally unfair. Awful driving physics mean that you'll be spinning off the tracks by just mildly tapping the controller, and that's not good. But you must be The Man if you can put up with the ultra-frustrating AI opponents. These cheaters race twice as fast as you, can ram you off the track, and aren't sent spinning off the tracks like you constantly are. Where's PunkBuster when you need it?

Sure, like I mentioned above, the ragdoll mini-games (which were a highlight of the original FlatOut) can now be played without having to play the actual game first. While these mini-games are fun, there just isn't enough variety to make FlatOut 2 worth your $40. (At least I rented the game first!) I mean, if Bugbear actually fixed the original game's problems and made a racing game that was fun to play, FlatOut 2 would have been great. Instead, it does little more than prove the laziness of the developers.

The Bottom Line
Life is too short to waste on FlatOut 2. Stick with Burnout Revenge and stay the heck away from this.