DiRT Rally Review

DiRT is a series for many fans of racing that leaves the challenge there. With precision controls for light-hearted players to pick up to play while leaving veterans to the genres fingers sweating. This time around DiRT rally out of the gate gives you a hefty challenge, with plenty of cars to choose from. Dust out those custom steering wheel setups and lets begin.

It has been a long while since I sat down to grind my teeth against the DiRT series, or even the genre of Simulators. The one core element I do know of that is most important is CONTROLS. With those being sloppy or even a mess, you will find racing to just be flat out non-enjoyable. I will say that I would highly recommend using a steering wheel set up of any kind that has feed back. Or the Xbox360 set that came out a while ago. It will make your life easier. I promise you. Why you may ask. Because the controls for this game are head on precise. Needing you to be in full control of every once of the turns, and steering. Sure there are options to make it simpler for basic players to use the cars, but honestly the better experience point boosts are from using most of the game mods off. Which if you want to “get good” then that is the way to do. Tough it out, and be rewarded.

The objective of the game is basically go through a series of races, or tracks. The first set being four. Starting you off with the vintage 1960’s vehicles. This transcends into more modern rides, and or more desirable machines. You are guided by a guy the whole time letting you know when tricky or sharp turns are coming up. This at times at least for me helped the crap out of me as I get tunnel vision sometimes driving around.

Gameplay starts you off with the 1960s models like the Mini Cooper. There are so many namesakes like the Fiestas, and Peugeot Hillclimbers. The list goes on but I do not have that much time. You earn or unlock these cars by recording qualifying times. Once each series of races are over you may then unlock more cars. One of the more downer notes is the cars do not really feel too much different from one another. After 2 cars in I felt like I was stilling using the entry car. Sure cosmetically, and under the hood they are all different terms of sound effects. Sure a few people will argue with me “but if you swap a few generations their speed picks up for time sake!” Again as I stated not as solidly as you are trying to iron down here, buddy. Light, but not thick enough to make the soup taste perfect. This aspect of the game is not a game breaker for me. As I had a ton of fun with the tracks themselves. Rising and tripling in difficulty. As I found myself a few times flipping around in ditches like a champ. Like a Champ!~ Like I said before through, controls are great. The feel of each car is too close to truly give those gear heads out there a complete vibe. The simulation side of the game holds its own at least during the races. The feel, look and every thing else is great. The levels or tracks are its strongest suit here. Dust flowing every where, sharp turns keeping me on my toes. All challenging me making me want more. To state this might be one of the best rally games of current market is always a spark for a flame of debate, but at least for us we will be looking towards Code-master for future releases If they keep things on track with this. Sorry for that pun there. Still off a buzz from King’s Quest. Some cool ideas added into the game is the daily challenges. You must do certain objectives, carry through and win some cash to spend.

In Closing:

DiRT Rally is a great step for Rally games, and the DiRT series alone. If I could take away from this game alone I need to invest into a custom racing wheel! It did not quite stand tall as a simulator due to the car problem. Sims you usually expect large differences in most of the cars themselves. Along with controls, maps, etc. One downside to the game is the lack of customization on car kits. Sure you may adjust in detail the liveries, suspension however that to me was bare bones.  I do hope more depth to the cards is added, along with the ability to color in the cars or make your own skins in party rather then rely on mods for the game.

Recommended:

Get this game if you love Racing Sims, and the Rally scene. If you are not a big fan of pure simulators, you might not have the best of experience enjoying the game with this. As it offers no arcade elements.