Review rating: 3 stars
While the Flatout series started out as little more than a morbid showcase for car drivers being jettisoned through their own windshields, it has blossomed into a thrilling montage of racing mayhem. Fans of the series will be thrilled to discover that the latest version, "Flatout: Ultimate Carnage," outperforms its predecessors in every way.
Three car classes are available in Flatout (career) mode, Derby, Race and Street. Players start out driving unappealing wrecks that seem to be held together by duct tape and eventually move on to faster, pristine automobiles. Every car offers slightly different handling, and the mix of arcade style racing with realistic skidding will keep drivers on the edge of their seats. Thousands of destructible objects are littered around each stage and every car sports over 40 deformable parts. When you add gorgeous environments, realistic particle effects and several other racers, the result is nothing less than a gorgeous melange of high-octane vehicular devastation.
The highlight of Carnage mode is the Ragdoll Olympics. This is a series of events where players drive their car to gain momentum, fling their character through the windshield, and steer him or her into baskets, bowling pins, or through rings of fire. Believe me, this mode is more humorous than it sounds, and it's a big hit at parties.
"Flatout: Ultimate Carnage" also offers Online play for up to eight players, letting players spread their message of pure destruction to others around the world.
Publisher: Activision
System: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360)
Cost: $60
ESRB rating: T
Review rating: 3 stars
Tony Hawk's skateboarding series has dominated the virtual realm for years, but that doesn't mean the latest edition is bereft of new features. In fact, "Tony Hawk's Proving Ground" offers players a detailed video editor as well as an unprecedented amount of freedom to customize their character and surroundings.
Budding concrete surfers first choose whether to be a competition skater, a hardcore skater, or a maverick, and then follow a unique story line for that particular style. Various pro skaters around each city offer advice, challenges and tutorials while photographers are already set up in key locations to snap the ultimate portrait. In addition, the player can also enter their Skate Lounge and create the ideal skate park, view videos, or customize their character's appearance, stats and moves.
My favorite new addition is the combination of the skate park editor with actual game levels. Now it is possible to add ramps, rails, pools, and other terrain to the single player levels instead of being forced to create a separate skate park. Can't get to a certain rooftop? Simply insert a ramp onto the terrain, and reaching that spot will be no problem.
Another cool addition is the in-depth video editor. Slap down a few cameras wherever you want, and then film a complex trick. Next, go into the editor and adjust the camera angles, add effects like fish eye and overlay, and insert the perfect music track. When that is finished, you can upload the video to the Internet or send them to friends.
Even though "Tony Hawk's Proving Ground" sports several new features, the core game play mechanic has been the same for the last eight years. With serious new contenders like EA's ultra-realistic title "Skate" hitting the market, the Tony Hawk franchise may be left in the dust if it doesn't make some changes.
4 stars - Must have
3 stars - Pretty good
2 stars - So-so
1 star - Don't waste your time
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
E: Everyone
T: Teen (13 and older)
E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)
M: Mature (17 and older)
