Game: "Flatout"

Console: Playstation 2 (also out for Xbox, PC)

Developer/publisher: Bugbear /Vivendi Universal

Genre: Racing

Number of players: 1-6; 6 online

Rating: T (teens), for violence

Premise: Drive fast, wreck big and look good doing it

Game play: Just when you think demolition derby games are done for and the racing games have no innovations left, European developers release the innovative "Flatout."

With its own variations on realism and the laws of physics, "Flatout" brings a fresh perspective to the racing genre. In the beginning, you create a profile, buy a car and begin racing in one of two circuits: Bronze and Bonus. Bronze Circuit is a run-of-the-mill racing mode where you enter races and advance to higher levels — or are forced to try again, based on performance — and earn money to improve your wheels or buy better ones.

Unlike other racing games, however, cars in "Flatout" accumulate damage that stays with you until the end of the race. There are no magical vehicles that don't wreck or even dent after crashing into a wall around a turn or have the ability to become new after taking a lot of punishment. This feature adds a dash of humor to the racing — you can't help but chuckle seeing a car with no door or with engine ablaze crossing the finish line. Also, when you crash into a stationary object at a high enough speed, your driver will actually be launched head-first through the windshield, much like the test dummies in those public-service announcements.

What adds the most craziness to "Flatout" is the Bonus Circuit, featuring mini games that are as fun as they are creative and interesting. Some are old classics such as Destruction Derby; others show the developers' cleverness. The latter include Pin Bowling, in which your launched driver acts as the ball; and Clown's Face, in which, much like the carnival game, you must throw the ball (your driver) into holes in a 2D clown to earn designated points. Sadly, you don't win a stuffed snake or Def Leppard mirror for high scores.

The good/bad: The sound in this game, while not as sharp or detailed as in a "Gran Turismo" title, is quite good. The sound effects are realistic enough and the music is pleasing to the ear — and most likely unknown to American audiences because every licensed song is from European artists. On the negative side, the AI gets irritating in a hurry: Getting a lead is challenging enough; keeping it requires near-perfect driving.

My take: "Flatout" will surely garner interest because of its mini games, unusual physics and creative game play, which includes online play. Unfortunately, that's as far as the appeal goes. Under the surface, "Flatout" is an average game with limited replay value, worth a rental or possibly a purchase at budget prices.

Jeremy Castillo is a student at Windward Community College and editor of the college's newspaper, Ka 'Ohana.