Tail between the legs time: we should really have a FlatOut 4: Total Insanity review live on the site already. Alas, we're not quite ready to publish our verdict just yet so you're going to have to make do with a brief hands on piece and a video. Sorry about that.

Anyway, it's pretty good. Unlike its soul-sappingly bad predecessor, World Rally Championship developer Kylotonn has been roped in to resurrect this brand. And it's decided – perhaps smartly – to play things safe: the fourth entry in BugBear's long-running series doesn't reinvent the wheel, just holds it steady instead.

What you get then is a fairly straight-forward arcade racer with an aggressive twist. You'll need to bombard scenery and opponents to earn nitro, which can then be exchanged for serious boost speed down long straights. Despite not running at 60 frames-per-second the game feels fast and fluid, though the AI does have an annoying habit of catching you on corners which can grate.

FlatOut 4 Total Insanity PS4 PlayStation 4 1

In addition to a lengthy but uninspired career mode – which sees you earning money to upgrade and purchase new cars – minigames aim to pad out your play time, allowing you to enjoy a spot of destruction derby or play Beer Pong by ejecting your racer from a supercar as it speeds down a plastic-looking ramp.

It's good, wholesome fun: the kind of racing game that's great while you play it, but won't live long in the memory once you're done. And, to be honest, there's nothing really wrong with that sometimes. We'll bring you a full review soon.

Do you plan to get behind the wheel of FlatOut 4: Total Insanity? Did you know this one was even in development? Put your foot down in the comments section below.

[source bit.ly]