If you've seen our previous coverage of FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, you'll know that the game is essentially a remake, albeit with added content, of FlatOut 2, the Xbox and PlayStation 2 game from last year. You'll also be aware that it's a game in the mould of the popular smash-driving series Burnout. Crucially, though, it's an enjoyable game that makes a mark in its own right.

　　Having spent some time playing through the FlatOut mode in the game, which is basically the career side of things, a few things have become clear about the balance of the game. First up, you need to choose which type of racing to go for before you can race. There are three tiers: derby, street, and race. In each one, you start out at level one and progress as you complete the various events.

　　As with most games of this type, you're presented with some low-end car models from which to purchase your first ride. While the car won't be much to look at, it's enough to get you on the road. It's also worth remembering that you'll only have enough money to buy one car, and you need the correct type of car for each type of racing tier.

　　Once you have your car, you can then choose to upgrade it with options that allow tweaks to the engine, wheels, brakes, suspension, and more. However, there's basically a three-way trade-off among speed, handling, and strength. To begin with, you'll probably have to settle for handling, but once you've taken part in a few races, you should be able to save up enough cash to strap on some engine upgrades, nitro enhancements, or numerous other bits and pieces.

　　Of course, that's not to say that you'll be winning races from the off, but you are awarded in-game cash for causing your fellow drivers some grief. There are a number of different take-outs that you can perform, and you'll also be awarded a bonus for getting the highest number of them in a race. There are also awards for the fastest lap and the greatest destruction of scenery. While the game actively encourages you to cause as much vehicular mayhem as possible, something made all the more enjoyable by the great physics engine, your opponents will be trying to do the same to you so it pays to be a little careful.

　　But those bonuses mean that, certainly to begin with, you'll be able to scrape together enough credits to send you on your way. That in turn should be enough to set you up with your first race win, and after your first cup win, you might look at buying a better car or maybe start afresh in a different tier of racing.

　　The main racing events are the cups, which are made up from a series of rounds, with points awarded to the top finishers after each race. Therefore, as long as you finish top overall--meaning that you don't necessarily have to win every race--you get the gold cup. Other events, some of which you'll unlock by winning previous ones, include single races, time trials, and destruction arenas. While the first two are self-explanatory, the latter event is one of pure chaos: All of the competitors are put in an arena, each with the sole aim of being the last person standing.

　　When you've done well enough to earn some credits and get around to pimping your ride, you'll certainly notice the effects those upgrades have on the way that your vehicle drives. Basic engine upgrades will give you either better acceleration or top speed, or both, while tweaking the nitro will make your boosts more effective. You'll find that effective use of the boost function is the key to success. It's built up in-game in a number of ways, but principally, by destroying the environments and smashing into your opponents.

　　While the action lies firmly in the realms of arcade, the driving style can be quite tricky to master, depending on the type of car you're driving. Although some of the later vehicles you'll have access to will stick to the road like glue, you'll still need to pick braking points and perfect the art of power sliding. There's simply no substitute for knowing the layout of a track well. This is especially true because there are usually a couple of different routes to choose from at certain sections of most tracks, and if you can get the more outrageous of these right, you usually stand to benefit a fair amount.

　　In general, FlatOut Ultimate Carnage feels a lot like a new game when compared to its predecessor, and it's certainly packed with objects into which you can smash. The career mode alone will keep you occupied for a long time, as will chasing the various achievement points that come along with it. We'll have more on the game over the next few months.