I donwloaded the demo for Flatout Ultimate Carnage. This aptly named driver is part racer, part demolition derby, and all fun. As cool as is Forza 2, Flatout let's you get off the track and crash into anything and everything. You have an option of a carnage race where such crashes are worth points or a straight race where demolition is optional. Fence lines, store windows, parked cars, moving cars, everything is fair game (well, it's game; fair or not.) If this title has online capabilities upon release it will get even better. The graphics are gritty but crisp (if you get what I mean.) I can't say much for the sound as I have moved my 360 to my office away from the suround sound but I'll bet it punches. The dynamics are similar to Forza, Turismo, et al, but with a more fantastical range. The cars drift nicely but will also go airborne if you pass over the slightest hump (you get points for that, too). Add to this the element of nitro and you can turn and burn when you need to. BOTTOM LINE: XBOX Live Goldmembers should grab the demo. There's enough game there to get a feel for it. Then, when it drops, let's buy/rent it and have a Fugly Derby.
