Dirt Rally Review

Dirt Rally

Release: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Codemasters
Genre: Simulation, Sport, XBox One Reviews
PEGI: E
Comments:

 

Comment

Authentic racing games with a tinge of arcadeness are definitely hard to find, but in reality, they are the most fun to play. Depending on how you set the difficulty, it is a game that can appeal to realistic racers and arcadey racers alike. While Dirt Rally tends to lean a bit more towards the authentic experience, it is still a fun game regardless of your skill level.

Those unwilling to get in depth probably won’t find something they like here, but for the average racing fan, there is too much good in Dirt Rally to pass on it.

I have played many Codemaster titles in the past, and this is by far the best racing experience they have delivered on console. It’s not just the best Codemaster experience, but ranks fairly highly with all the other racing games currently available on next generation consoles. And Codemasters hits all the high points with Dirt Rally – beautiful environments, a car that reacts accurately to the weather and conditions, crystal clear sound ques from your racing team, and an outstanding audio track laid down behind everything.

Anyone who picks up Dirt Rally for the first time is definitly going to experience some learning pains. You will NOT finish first place in your introductory racing schedule, as much as you might want to. It’s important to actually forgo that perfect race / perfect race schedule and just deal with where you finish. The more you play, the more you will learn. Continually restarting races won’t benefit you in any way.

The game has a fairly deep learning curve, but at the end of the day it is as fun or as frustrating as you make it. If you are willing to focus in on the audio cues you will slowly but surely get a hang of rally racing and begin climbing the ranks. But like any real world sport, practice makes perfect.

No body rides onto the Rally stage in real life and continually gets first. It just does not happen. You need to learn the tracks, learn the cars handling – of which there are many to choose from and explore – and learn different environments. The more you put into Dirt Rally the more you will likely get out of it.

Dirt Rally is unforgiving, but don’t give up. With 40 cars to unlock and race with, you have options; once you find the car you are comfortable with, go with it. If you need to choose something different for a different style of race, don’t be afraid to try it.

Experimenting with cars in specific situations is what will ultimately help you succeed. While early on your car selection will be limited, the more you play the more you will unlock. One of the GREATEST additions to Codemasters latest release, however, is video tutorials.

They may seem dull, but watching the various racing tutorials will help you move through the various stages. This cannot be stated enough: do NOT pass up on these tutorials. You will learn so many valuable tips that will help you with the races even before your rubber hits the dirt.

Racing towards better placement in the standings is what will really get your blood pumping as you play. It’s the thrill of success, the thrill of moving up 1 spot, 2 spots, all the way to the top. Every race you will challenge yourself to carve off an extra second or two on your total time, knowing that it could be the difference between finishing 5th or getting a podium spot.

With the trill comes the heartbreak: a bad corner, just barely rubbing up against that large boulder, throwing yourself just a bit off course. Even the smallest mistake – perhaps less than a second on your time – can move you down the placement list. It’s risk and reward; the more you play, the riskier you will become, and the greater your reward.

To win at Dirt Rally takes commitment, but if you put in the time, there is no better video game racing experience than finishing on top. That, in and of itself, is an outstanding accomplishment.

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