FlatOut: Head On (PSP)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Guy Cocker
• Reviewed on: 03/18/2008
• Released on: 04/04/2008
• Originally published on GameSpot: FlatOut: Head On (PSP) Review

There's something rather charming about the low-fi nature of FlatOut: Head On. With its Dukes of Hazzard-style vehicles and single-minded hunger for destruction, it definitely has a gritty charm--like Burnout on a budget, if you will. But what FlatOut lacks in refinement, it makes up for with a twisted sense of humour, an assortment of game modes, and some frankly outrageous stunts. FlatOut fans will definitely get a feeling of déjà vu if they pick up this first iteration of the series for the PlayStation Portable, but that doesn't stop it from being a very enjoyable handheld racing game.

FlatOut: Head On offers a wide variety of race types, all of which have a destructive element. The circuit races are the most familiar--the aim is to win the race while earning points and boost power by smashing others off the road. Final position is based not only on where you finish, but also on the points you accumulate and the amount of damage you dish out. There are also destruction derbies, a welcome mode for anyone with fond memories of Psygnosis' Destruction Derby on the original PlayStation. The idea here is to inflict as much damage as possible on the other vehicles in the arena, mainly by hitting the weakest spots on their car as fast as you can. If you become damaged yourself, you have to hide from other players or else you can be knocked out of the event. Finally, beat the bomb follows the traditional time-trial racing model--but FlatOut's penchant for destruction means you'll explode if you miss a checkpoint.

The stunt mode is where FlatOut: Head On really comes into its own, and it's here that its twisted sense of humour shines through. The idea behind stunt mode is to drive down a short stretch of road to build up speed, and then launch your driver through the windscreen of your car, aiming him at some sort of target. Ten-pin bowling, darts, and even curling form the basis for many of these minigames; there are a total of 12 sporting-based stunts. While they might sound like minor diversions compared to the main races, the minigames are addictive and frequently hilarious as your rag-doll driver hurtles into a variety of obstacles.

The aforementioned modes are split up into two main components, the carnage mode and the flatout mode. The carnage mode offers a total of 36 races, derbies, and challenges that are unlocked by earning enough points along the way. This means that you don't actually have to come in first in every race, and you can go back and retry them if you're struggling for points. There are a decent number of events in total, and working through them will take at least a few hours depending on how many times you have to redo them. The flatout mode is more like a standard career mode, where you'll race to earn money that you can spend on new vehicles and upgrades as you progress. With more than 100 events split up into 27 cups, it's enough to keep you going for quite some time.

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