Flatout 2 for the PC is a sound, refreshing and very enjoyable sequal to one of 2004's best games.
The addition of a more intense, worthwhile single-player mode has made Flatout 2 somewhat more desirable to those who have limited multiplayer access. It features 3 different types of racing: Derby, Race and Street.
Each offers it's own unique cars that can be upgraded, although with a disappointingly limited number of upgrades.
The graphics are still as sharp, colourful and breathtaking as ever. It's a pleasure to look at the environments and the lighting is really fantastic. It's tough to make it look any better than the original flatout but the textures look clearer and overall the presentation is much nicer.
The game offers an interesting selection of music that plays randomnly throughout the menu and game. Although it's nice to have such a variety, it does get a little annoying after a while.
Gameplay, as i mentioned, is extended with the addition of two new racing modes, race and street. In these, race priorities change, although the ultimate aim is to 'waste' other drivers' cars, it's race focused and less destructive than that of 'derby'.
Multiplayer remains the same but with added cars and tracks, it adds more playability. I encountered no bugs and it all runs very smoothly. Flatout 2 in my opinion is primarily an online/lan game as it's great fun to race your mates and watch each other attempt stunts.
6 new stunt events have been added, ontop of the original 6, creating additional environments for you to completely mess up. The careful timing needed to pull off succesful stunts is slightly more difficult as often you have to navigate your car between objects before a stunt, as opposed to just driving at the target in the original. Such new events include water skipping, jumping through flames and modified original events.
Replay value is added as you can attempt the singleplayer with different styles of cars but still the races get a little repetitive after a while. I found that you should just try and get enough points to win the tournament, and focus mainly on having fun and recking your opponents' 'wheels'.
Flatout 2's AI is fun and unpredictable, they do crash without interference from you, which is nice, and with 7 other drivers in a very tight area going 160mph is very exhilirating.
Overall, Flatout 2 is a healthy addition to the series that offers impressive new features and just as much fun as ever. I really recommend this game to veterans of the series and to newbies alike.
9/