Move over Need For Speed

With huge racing titles being released regularly it's no wonder some of the gems get left behind. FlatOut 3, a more graphically intense version of FlatOut 2, is a high octane racer which in my opinion is far superior to the more recent Need for Speed games we're seeing. The main reason for this is that the game in no way wants to take itself seriously.

Once in a while, gamers just want to sit back, relax and just blow things up. You might be thinking, "that doesn't sound like a racing game", but in FlatOut 3 it becomes a major objective. Want to get a speed boost? Well then, you better start slamming into other cars in an attempt to wreck them or better yet, drive through some gas stations at unimaginable speeds and watch them go up in flames as your boost bar steadily rises. Don't like the look of that shopping center or restaurant? Then drive right in and watch as furniture and other objects go flying through the air.

If this all sounds a bit intense you can try your luck in stunt mode which involves launching your driver our of a super car in a series of events, and there are a whole lot to choose from. Stunts include high jump, bowling, ski jump, curling, stone-skipping,  ring of fire, field goal, royal flush, basketball, darts, baseball and finally, soccer. Whilst launching your driver out of a car repeatedly might sound tedious and boring, the variety of stunt modes makes it extremely fun, especially if you're playing with friends. Flinging a driver through multiple flaming hoops is extremely amusing and I guarantee will hold your attention for a solid period of time.

The final game mode that FlatOut 3 offers is a demolition derby mode where the last man standing is the winner. Slamming into other cars and objects will again supply you with boost which is vital for wrecking your opponents. In this mode your screen will be filled with huge explosions and so much debris flying through the air it's hard not to feel absorbed into the game. You'll often find yourself on the edge of your seat as you and your final opponent battle it out for first place.

If your concerned that the game won't offer car customization, think again. Winning races in the single player campaign earns you money to buy new cars and upgrade the cars you already own. There are 35 cars up for offer which of course you can unlock as you work though the single player campaign. Each car is distinctly different from one another however the developers seem to have put in the time to balance each car out nicely.

The soundtrack is pretty alternative, but that is to be expected for this kind of racing game. I found myself getting into bands that I had never heard of or considered listening to before. The soundtrack of course is upbeat and helps to immerse the player into the game.

The bottom line is, this game delivers. If you're getting sick and tired of your standard racing games them you should definitely check this one out. Each mode offers tonnes of content, all of which is beautiful to look at and extremely fun to destroy. Of course, the game offers online play for each mode so that you can play with your friends however the lack of LAN may turn you away. If this is the case, I'd suggest grabbing a copy of FlatOut 2 which is essentially the same game with slightly older graphics.

Happy gaming!