I have driven (and raced) cars & bikes for more than 30years now. I like driving cars so much, the only thing I'm happy with driving on the road, is a coupe, due to their unique chassis/handling qualities. When it comes to driving/racing sims, I can become over-critical very easily...but there are two different kinds of these things. There are 'serious' driving/racing sims -- these are the sort of games you wish you had -real- steering-wheel/pedals/gearshift and other controls, that feel and react onscreen exactly the way they would/should in a real car..and then there are 'fun' games of this type, where the most enjoyment to be had is using a joystick or gamepad to control the car instead. This GOG release of FlatOut installs and runs great on linux using Codeweavers Crossover-Games (I believe this is true for the Mac version as well). For years I'd been a big fan of the RollCage series using analog joystick for input, and never found gamepad to be quite as much fun with those titles. FlatOut is quite the opposite -- here is a game that gives you a reason for having a gamepad. The linux/crossover-game interaction with a USB gamepad controlling FlatOut is seamless -- real plug&play material. Not many driving games lend themselves to the immediate hard-left/hard-right/quick recenter steering control input most basic gamepads provide, but FlatOut is the exception -- you will end up appreciating this kind of steering control with this game, because if you're doing it right, best laps are obtained by literally going flat-out, committing to lines you won't be able to see for 5 or 6 seconds, and then controlling huge powerslides around corners looking for that 'perfect' line. Most of the time, it's kind of like driving rally-x without a navigator beside you to help you out along the way. The physics are great fun, certainly car-control wise they're very 'close to the mark' to what will happen if you get it wrong ..and don't wear a seatbelt. If there is a strategy to winning this game, it is this -- get out infront, go hard don't look back, and don't stuff-up. The AI drivers get meaner and uglier as you progress thru the levels...and quicker. They will give you no respect, give them none in return...many a time I've pitched the thing into a corner so hard, the -only- way I'm going to get around it, is if I hit the opponent car my chosen line is deliberately part of...you really -do- have to drive gloves-off here. The only thing I found the fun could've been added to, would have been a so called 'kickdown' switch to force the auto back a gear, and being able to change the actual gear ratios themselves...but other than that, outstanding FUN!
If you're looking for a good pinball machine simulator, this title has to be up there with the best of them. If you're a linux (or perhaps Mac) user, once again the GOG team have done an excellent job here, and this title installs and runs fine using Crossover Games. The action is quick and accurate, the flippers respond the way flippers should, and you can have a whole lot of fun with this one (without costing a fortune in spare change ;)
