Codemaster's flagship racing title just gets better and better
Codemaster's flagship racing title just gets better and better. The Colin McRae experience has reached a new level of realism in Colin McRae: Dirt, one that hasn't been seen before in the racing genre, with stunning locations, remarkable physics, believable damage modeling, and an all-together bumpier and realistic rally experience. If you're on the lookout for a complete racing sim then Forza 2 will probably appeal to you, but if you're pining for a stylish, arcade racer that sparkles with next-gen technology and offers rewarding, challenging, satisfying high-speed gameplay then Dirt is the game for you.
I'll admit that the racing genre isn't my favourite type of videogame, but over the last couple of weeks I've been lucky to have the full retail version of Dirt and I've hardly touched any other Xbox 360 game since. I've completed career mode, although I still need to go back and gain first position in each race, and I've raced on every single track. I've been impressed with the diverse selection of circuits on offer and just how exhilarating and intense they've managed to make this experience of rallying. From the gruelling hill climbs across the likes of the Colorado Mountains to the slippery rain-sodden tarmac on the twisting roads of Maebashi in Japan, each track provides a different challenge and requires a different approach depending on the terrain you're driving across, as well as taking into account the vehicle you're driving. Races include crossover races against the main man himself, Colin McRae, rally raid competitions across bumpy and unpredictable desert terrain, technically challenging tracks with twisty roads and hairpin bends and circuits with long countryside straights where you’ll have the opportunity to test out the full extent of your vehicle's power.
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageThere's tons of replay value, thanks to the variety of tracks on offer, but the extensive range of 45 officially licensed cars, which span across 12 car class categories, also adds an infinite amount of different scenarios to try out, ultimately meaning that no race every feels the same and the numerous combinations of circuits and vehicles provides an exciting and varying challenge. Amongst the vehicles on offer there are classic and modern four wheel drives, two wheel drives, Super Buggies, trucks and rally cross cars from the likes of Lotus and Audi. Each vehicle needs to driven to its strengths, as well as you needing to be in tune with the vehicle's weaknesses, and despite there being only subtle differences between the most powerful cars, each vehicle offers a different racing experience. For example: the Corr Super Buggy feels extremely light weight and speedy, but their rear ends can easily spin out around corners if you incorrectly judge a hand-brake turn and can rollover if you go too fast over the bumps, whereas the Dakar-style trucks, which sport logos from the likes of Shell Oil and DHL, feel much sturdier and slower; they won't often spin-out, but they can topple over if you take a corner too fast.
