his may be a nearly identical copy of FlatOut 2, which came out on the original Xbox just over a year ago, but it’s clear that Ultimate Carnage has benefited from being put out on the 360. While it’s not like you’re tearing up Forza 2-quality looking rides, the step up to the next generation makes all the flying debris and mayhem pretty alluring.

A good synopsis of what this title is all about is the new Carnage mode, which unlike the career tier structure of FlatOut mode, is more bite-sized and not as arduous. Carnage mode gives you a selection of all kinds of different races, stunt games (see photo below), demolition derbies, and other wreck-filled challenges.

While some races ask you to finish high, others simply want you to mess stuff up. The game excels at those moments when the two objectives merge and all hell brakes loose, with competitors wrecking in front of you, environmental debris everywhere, and suddenly a huge explosion fills the screen. The only problem I had is that, as a racer, I prefer the sense of speed and car physics of the Burnout series, and I was disappointed in the seeming inconsistency regarding which objects in the environment you could or couldn’t bowl over – I swear it changed from lap to lap. Not only that, but even shortcut jumps could be risky because you might unexpectedly biff the landing.

I wouldn’t suggest buying this game if you’ve already got FO 2, but it’s a great intro to the series for everybody else.