Colin Mcrae Dirt

[odhranus]

OK so I've had the game for 6 days now. Haven't played it solid though, but here's my review of the game so far.

I'll start with the graphics - one word - SUPERB, the attention to detail on the cars is phenominal from each little LED in the brake lights to the camera in the cameraman's hands as you drive past him, the replays look superb and even have a slow down option that looks wicked.

The length of the game I think may be improved as I have completed 24% of the game already, but things are starting to get harder as I go along so the game should please, also there are 4 different difficulty settings that allow you to win higher prizes on the hardest settings. You can progress through the game as normal by winning points, but cash means you can buy better cars for your garage. Though I haven't got to the point where I cant buy a car needed to enter a race yet.

The game offers more than your standard rally game, it features a few different race types, from 2wd & 4wd rally, hillclimbs, super special races, tarmac, rallycross (something Colin Mcrae games have needed for a while IMO), and rally raid (races in buggies, trucks etc. on off road tracks with jumps etc.) so the game always keeps you excited about what races you can take part in next.

The tracks featured are superb, I'm well pleased that the legendary Pikes Peak is included amongst them, along with many tracks from around the world.

The playability of the game is just like any other rally sim in the series, tough to get used to but plays well, once you get the hang of it you'll be hooked, a must have for any fan of the Colin Mcrae series.

The Multiplayer on Live is great, you are pitted against upto 100 other players (it states in the manual) online, where everyone taking part votes on which rally & car the race will be on, once the voting is done, the racing takes part, and you can see what position you are in compared to the others.
One thing I am dissapointed in is the lack of multiplayer on the one console, on the other games in the series, players took turn to race a stage and the results were shown, no such thing in this game

Replayability, well I'm still plodding through the career game but there are options where you can set up any race using any car and there are always records to try and beat.

One thing I don't like about the game is the americanisation of it (don't hate me for this), what i mean is that Travis Pascuana presents the game and your co-driver has an American accent and will say cheesy comments at the beginning of the race such as "Smooth and steady, you're Mr.Smooth and I'm Mr.Steady" which do annoy me, whatever happened to good old Nicky Grist and his charming scottish accent?

Anyway, a great game in itself for any rally enthusiast, lots of fun. Even if you're not the best there are difficulty levels to suit.

[bamhm182]

Very nice review Odhranus.

[The Juggler]

GREAT REVIEW.

Many thanks for this.... you did a good jobv on the review and I must admit I may have to go buy this now based on your first hand experience and the reviews in the mags.


Cheers



Des

[odhranus]

you wont regret it

[VAMP]

Great review, will probably be getting either this, when it comes out for the PS3, or Sega Rally. I've always liked that series. .

[Kernel Kev]

Nice review, i might play the demo some more to see if i can get the hang of it.

No game has beat sega rally that i have played. The multiplayer... can you play like with people, not on your own then compare the times. Like all together, what forza 2 does?



Kev

[odhranus]

all I've played so far on live is multiplayer rally where everyone races the same stage at the same time but only yourself is on the track, you see the others as a triangle on the progress bar and shows you your position and split timing, I didn't try it with the mic plugged in so I'm not sure if you can talk to each other, I cant remember for sure if it showed the results a the end but it must have, though it's then straight into another race (pending the voting time).

I'm not sure if it lets you play a rallycross/CORR game where there are more on one track but if I remember correctly, you couldn't, I'll check tonight.

**Excited that I am only a couple of races away from unlocking the full Pikes Peak track***

EDIT: I remember correctly! You can only do the rally/hillclimb events on Live so only one of you is on the track when racing, I was chuffed last night I won 3 out of 3 races, granted it wasn't a ranked match and there was only 7 racing but it still felt good :-)

The races are starting to get harder now, I'm trying most of them on the hardest setting and some of the stages rely on you not to mess up any turning in order to win.

[Kernel Kev]

Ok, i downloaded the demo again and still wasnt impressed.

The only half a chance of winning bit was the buggies but even they were near on impossible to control.

The Impreza and Evo are just plain stupid. The steering is all wrong, it simply feels like those games where its a sticker of a car on your screen and you move the background.

Od, have you played the demo version, i hope its ALOT different to the game because then i may consider getting it.



Kev

[odhranus]

I'll try downloading it.

Try playing it in the 'bumper cam' view (i.e. you cant see any of the car) or when you can just see the bonnet.

Also you need to turn into the corner earlier than you think, remember you're on loose surface so you're sliding most of the time, once you're into the corner, give some slight opposite lock to go straight, also you need to look as far forward onto the track as possible.
IMO the handling of the evo and impreza are outstanding.

Oh and in the 4wd cars, never let go of the power while in a corner or you will loose control, I'm sure you know this already, but get your speed right before the corner, tap the brake (the brakes on these cars are good, almost too good), then accelerate round

[Kernel Kev]

Yeah, i turn early, tap the brakes, slightly back off the throttle and then slam it on to power round the corner.

Its the turning early i balls up, just cant do it



Kev