Colin McRae: DIRT Review

By Luke Albiges Published 12 June, 2007

Now wash your hands.

Version tested: Xbox 360

We've only just noticed this, but there hasn't been a good rally game since Rallisport Challenge 2 on the good ol' Xbox. That's pretty shocking really, especially when you consider that before that, you'd see a new off-road racing game every few months. Then again, perhaps that's precisely what killed off developer enthusiasm for the genre - as the market filled with uninspiring rally titles like Rally Fusion and Richard Burns Rally, the world just seemed to lose interest. Who better, then, to breathe new life into this ailing sub-genre than Codemasters, the guys who first showed us how well consoles and rally racing could coexist back in the early years of the PSone? And with the very same series that showed us just how exciting real rallying could be the first time around, no less. C-Mac in the house, y'all.

After a lavish introductory sequence, DiRT stumbles for the first time as it's introduced not by Mr McRae but by American counterpart Travis Pastrana. This in itself is no shortcoming, sure, but Pastrana's X-Games past starts to come out as he congratulates you for victories with suitably unexpected terms such as 'wicked'. We'd expect that from Neversoft or even EA but Codies? Nope, didn't see that one coming. Even your co-driver indulges in similarly gnarly skate speak, often commenting on how totally stoked he is or celebrating a race victory like a loudmouthed jock might celebrate a touchdown. All this is somewhat jarring, especially given the wonderfully clean and mature presentation of the game. We can safely say that we've never had a rally game address us as 'dude' before.

'Colin McRae: DIRT' Screenshot 1

This Americanisation is even carried over into the core of the game itself, which now encompasses a variety of CORR off-road events from the States. From remarkably nippy dirt buggies to hulking big rigs, there's plenty of variety here but just not a lot of entertainment. Perhaps that's not entirely fair - the buggies are a speedy and suitably different challenge but the problem is that once you get into anything bigger than an Impreza, things get so sluggish and messy that you'll be left longing for the next traditional rally race. Career mode pulls of a major coup using the relative weakness of these new elements, as starting out with a fairly tiresome CORR event makes the rally stage that follows it feel shockingly fast, exceptionally tight and almost like it just fell out of a totally different game. But as things go on, you'll quickly learn that the rallying masterpiece that shone through during that second career race isn't a different game at all. DiRT is, for the most part, an impeccable rally title, let down only by a fistful of dodgy events and the odd technical hiccup. Allow us to digress.

Like the sublime Forza 2, DiRT is able to strike an incredible balance between realism and playability. Again, gearheads can tune their car and set it up for each stage to absolutely wreck course records while beginners can knock the difficulty down and race with the default set-up and still attain victory. Career mode eases you in wonderfully, starting off with the slower FWD cars while still giving you an impressive sense of speed and showing off the wide spread of racing disciplines that DiRT covers. Rally events are your traditional time trial challenges, Rallycross races the same only with your rivals on the course at the same time and Crossover courses are your usual rally finale, pitting two racers against one another on an intertwined track. On top of these basic three, you've got complex Hill Climb courses to navigate as well as the slightly less enjoyable Rally Raid events and inconsistent CORR competitions. Things start off pretty basic in the lower tiers of career but as you work your way up, the single-stage events and basic courses of the introductory period give way to fearsome and gruelling multi-stage challenges that will mean looking after your car for more than just the usual quartet of checkpoints.

'Colin McRae: DIRT' Screenshot 2

Modelled on actual roads and, in some cases, total real world circuits, the tracks of DiRT are on the whole pretty spectacular. Emerging from dense forest to career through a quaint little village is a hell of a thrill while the Crossover courses encourage a kind of competitive nature that one mightn't usually associate with rallying. From muddy English country roads to the Australian outback, settings and course design are equally resplendent and while one track might not require you to visit Mr Brake Pedal all that often, the next may have four or five tricky hairpin corners in succession. You really never know what's coming next with DiRT, and given just how much of the game is so very, very good, this element of surprise is more than welcome.

And with all the variety in event types, it should pretty much go without saying that you'll be seeing all manner of vehicles as you make your way to rally stardom. The usual spread of Lancers, Subarus and the smaller rally cars of today is a decent start, with plenty of classic rally cars, prototypes, trucks, buggies and more besides all just waiting to be unlocked. Each has its own unique feel and as well as the basic stats that give you a rough idea of which is best for any given job, you can call in an analyst for a more detailed description with a touch of a button. This feature is reprised elsewhere in the game, with assistants being able to talk you through a complex stage or help you work out which aspects of a car to tweak or repair between stages, meaning you can go it alone or have the benefit of expert advice if you so desire.

It isn't just the individual cars that feel different here, though, and as you speed from mud to tarmac or leap across sand dunes, you'll notice a huge change in each surface. The physics model means that most courses require you to adapt several times per circuit as you hit each new surface - fail to react to the fact that a long concrete stretch suddenly branches off into a muddy bend and you can expect to be overtaken as you spin out and do untold damage to your car in the process. Damage modelling too is wonderful and while slight scrapes will certainly make their mark, anything larger will see bodywork twist and buckle before smashing off altogether. Depending on your difficulty level, damage can have anything from a negligible to a catastrophic effect on performance and while you might be able to recover from a big crash on the lower levels, expect to see wheels fly off and engines blow up if you lose it in Pro Am or above. Oddly, though, terminal damage doesn't affect more than the single stage you're racing - rather than blow the whole event, you can simply pop back in time and replay the stage at your leisure until you finally manage to make it over the line with all four wheels.

'Colin McRae: DIRT' Screenshot 3

So we've covered the great tracks, the convincing vehicles and that mind-blowing sense of speed but one thing we haven't really touched upon is the overall look of DiRT. On the whole, the word 'beautiful' is probably the best blanket term we can apply and when you're the only car on the track, everything belts along at a suitably impressive rate. Once you start to add other cars into the equation, though, Codemasters' Neon engine starts to feel the strain a little and the game becomes prone to chugging, especially in the early stages of more complex courses where huge settings and entire grids are having to be rendered. It's never game-breaking, but it does tarnish DiRT's otherwise gleaming polish a little, especially after seeing how sacrificing just a little detail enabled Forza 2 to maintain fluidity. This aside, DiRT is probably among the most visually capable racing games we've seen to date, particularly when you opt for the in-car view (or cut to it during a replay) and see every stunning detail from the driver's point of view, even down to the co-driver reeling off the info on his notepad as you shake him to within an inch of his life with your reckless driving.

'Colin McRae: DIRT' Screenshot 4

Having levelled a fair degree of criticism at certain elements of DiRT earlier on, this is probably as good a time as any to point out that these do little to harm the overall sheen of McRae's latest. All of the more traditional rallying is as good as you could hope or expect and although we didn't feel that the truck-racing did anything for the game, it does add variety to the proceedings and there are bound to be people out there that will swear by it. If nothing else, these slower events really hammer home the breakneck speed of the rest of the game and for that their inclusion is plenty justified. A lengthy and eclectic career mode is just the start of what DiRT offers, with Championship mode allowing for full-length rallies to be played out and Rally World mode letting you play any course that has come up in career mode. The Live side of things is equally bountiful, offering Forza fans and Gotham kids an entirely different prospect by letting up to a hundred players per session vote on a course and car from a given list before all battling it out in a level field time-trial challenge. A wonderful package and a triumphant return to form for Codies, DiRT sets a mean precedent for future rally games to match and really manages to capture the excitement, the fear and the challenge of off-road racing. It's, like, totally sick, dude. Killer.

8 / 10

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About Luke Albiges

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Comments (132) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Captain Jax #1 5 years ago

    First?

    Hmm, why release this so soon after Forza. By the time I'm bored with that this will be £15 on Ebay.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 14:10

  • Macross #2 5 years ago

    have a medal

  • BBIAJ #3 5 years ago

    Richard Burns Rally?

    Uninspired you say!?

    Pish!

  • Beano #4 5 years ago

    Look and sounds good - just to bad they didn't smooth out the framerate from the demo :(

  • Huntcjna #5 5 years ago

    Looks hugely Meh to me. Its probably the dumbest time in the world to release it aswell 7 days after the 360's fastest ever selling racing game. I can't see too many people in Europe being bored with Forza by friday.

  • Lukree #6 5 years ago

    Yes yes yes, Nice to see that I don't have to cancel my pre-order! Thanks for review before launch, EG! ;)

    I hated buggies in demo, so it's a bit shame that you have to drive those on career. Luckily Championship mode sounds like my cup of petrol.

    Is there still option to drive championship with a friend one player at a time? The greatest drink-and-drive game mode of all time!

  • RobertFoster #7 5 years ago

    I enjoyed the DiRT demo a lot more than the Forza 2 demo. But, erm, bah I don't like racing games anyway! *puts money back in wallet*

  • andrewwd #8 5 years ago

    I hate, hate, HATE the stupid xtreme American voice overs in this. To the point where it makes me not want to buy it.

  • LeD #9 5 years ago

    I think I'll probably get this before and as well as Forza 2 TBH. I don't have time to get into Forza 2 at the moment.

  • souljacker2000 #10 5 years ago

    Gnarly dude!!

    Sorry, im no longer buying this tripe.. cant deal with American voice actnig where it isnt neccesary

  • Dizzy #11 5 years ago

    I had some control issues due to framerate of demo. Pity I was hoping for a silky smooth Rallysport. I will pass... way too many killer 360 games anyway ;)

  • LeD #12 5 years ago

    I think the 360 is becoming for me what the PS2 was to so many last generation. The number of games I have bought/am buying/will buy for it is just insane. And I'm just getting into XBLA as well.

  • Peew971 #13 5 years ago

    Looks nice... Graphics remind me of Motorstorm although I haven't played either.
    While maybe fun, Live all against the clock sounds quite an horrible idea to me. Online gaming is all about interactivity, I want to race against actual gamers, not against their times.

  • Beano #14 5 years ago

    "I hate, hate, HATE the stupid xtreme American voice overs in this. To the point where it makes me not want to buy it."

    I agree - it's pretty awful!

    I'd hoped the EU version would use a british commentator... but apparently not so :|

  • motslaps #15 5 years ago

    got mine on pre-order!

    I too found the forza demo boring, this has a more arcadey feel to it and a "wicked" damage model. everyone has their own personal tastes for racers and this is mine!

  • Peew971 #16 5 years ago

    @ LeD: Totally agree... And I have 26 XBLA games!
    Still lacks mass market games ala Buzz, Singstar, etc.

  • Midian #17 5 years ago

    Hated the demo - Lame handling and totally the wrong ambiance for a rally game - Charlie Don't Surf, and Yanks Can't Rally. On the other hand, whoever came up with the menus needs a big slice of cake, they are sooooo purdy.

  • TheEnd #18 5 years ago

    8/10 for a rally game where the cars don't even slide properly on dirt and gravel?

    /Adds yet another website to the list of sites 'useless for racing game reviews'
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 14:35

  • AhrimaaN #19 5 years ago

    Where is the mention that is absolutely befuddingly no competetive multiplayer apart form simultaneous time trials? You may as well just race a ghost car over and over again for how much rivetting fun that will be. Yay.

    The only saving grace for this game is the graphics, and the cockpit view. Something that Forza really needs to make it a proper sim - the cockpits are fantastic! I'll get it cheap when everyone is bored of it after a couple of months

  • SpacemanX #20 5 years ago

    "especially after seeing how sacrificing just a little detail enabled Forza 2 to maintain fluidity"

    Forza2 = 60fps
    Dirt = 30fps and lots of slowdowns

  • Arcadiian #21 5 years ago

    I'd still rather play Rallisport 2 on the 360, if Microsoft actually get around to making it compatible.

    Hope SEGA Rally Revo offers something new. o_O

  • mkreku #22 5 years ago

    Sounds like a 7/10 game getting an extra point for being made by a company favoured by the reviewer.

  • YoJimbo #23 5 years ago

    Should be ok i reckon...

    Agreed, the Xtreme Voicez are well annoying, but by doing that...Codies think they're gonna crack the US market (all a front end needs is a Xtreme voice)...

    I did enjoy the demo, it was better than i thought it'd be...gutted the Neon Engine can't handle hairpins tho :( a rally games just not a rally game without proper hairpins

    (*Note - there are very tight, hairpin..esc corners in Colin, but the Colin engine cannot handle hairpins..the track geometry goes mental apparently)

  • Donny #24 5 years ago

    As good as Halo then.

  • ccfb #25 5 years ago

    Wait ... the score dropped by a point... what gives?

    You guys need to remember people have RSS feeds and F5 keys.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 14:45

  • TheEnd #26 5 years ago

    Slurpy J:

    Deal with it.

    Fact remains, CMR: DIRT is a joke as a rally game. Not bad as a hovercraft simulation though.

  • UncleLou #27 5 years ago

    (*Note - there are very tight, hairpin..esc corners in Colin, but the Colin engine cannot handle hairpins..the track geometry goes mental apparently)

    Hm?

  • Les #28 5 years ago

    "Once you start to add other cars into the equation, though, Codemasters' Neon engine starts to feel the strain a little and the game becomes prone to chugging, especially in the early stages of more complex courses where huge settings and entire grids are having to be rendered. It's never game-breaking, but it does tarnish DiRT's otherwise gleaming polish a little, especially after seeing how sacrificing just a little detail enabled Forza 2 to maintain fluidity."

    All (racing) games should follow Forza 2's lead: framerate over details.

  • ruckus #29 5 years ago

    Haven't read the whole review yet but "uninspiring rally titles like ... Richard Burns Rally" o_O It's pretty well regarded isn't it?

  • ccfb #30 5 years ago

    One sentence on the multiplayer? Anyone would think you weren't paid by the word.

    Oh, wait ...

  • rashes #31 5 years ago

    Is this actually available to buy today or when?

  • BadBoyBonner #32 5 years ago

    PMSL @TheEnd "Not bad as a hovercraft simulation though."

    Totally agree

    Codies please, please, please - stop using the central pivot mechanism for turning, and use the actual tires turning the car while the back wheels try to go straight.

    I mean come on - how hard can it be? Clearly I'll be bidding against Captain Jax.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 14:50

  • Penguinzoot #33 5 years ago

    Didn't like the demo to start with, but it grew on me a bit. What I really want though is RC3 (or even RC2 on BC). Come on guys, make it happen!

  • BadBoyBonner #34 5 years ago

    In fact a better name on the 360 would be

    Quantum Redshift: DIRT

  • LeD #35 5 years ago

    According to the game FAQ, Codies are claiming the game engine doesn't use a central pivot.

  • UncleLou #36 5 years ago

    Codies please, please, please - stop using the central pivot mechanism for turning, and use the actual tires turning the car while the back wheels try to go straight.


    The official FAQs of the game say it doesn't use a pivot point. I've raised the point in the comment sof the German EG review (which also mentions the pivot mechanism), and they said they'll contact Codemasters to ask.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 14:52

  • UncleLou #37 5 years ago

    /twirls Led around pivot point, shakes fist

  • TheEnd #38 5 years ago

    CMR1-5 didn't need you to BE a rally driver to be good. 1, 2 and 4 were all very good indeed.

    Same goes for the latter WRC titles. Managed to strike a great balance between sim and arcade.

    I wouldn't suggest all rally games try to be RBR... RBR is more than good enough at that already. What they do need to do is at least capture the sensation of driving on dirt... something every other Colin McRae game has at least managed half-decently, making this latest calamity all the more baffling.

  • AtomicBanana #39 5 years ago

    dismissing RBR discredits the rest of the review to be honest . . .

  • Uncle_Fishboy #40 5 years ago

    Does anyone know if you can turn the irritating yank voice off? That alone made me think - I ain't buying that - when I played the demo. And the buggy bits were crap. Rallisport challenge 2 pooed over this from a great height. Having said that I'll get it when it's cheaper, if you can switch off the yank twat.

  • stoopidgreg #41 5 years ago

    "uninspiring rally titles like Rally Fusion and Richard Burns Rally"

    hahahahah eurogamer i hate you

    richard burns rally is the best rally sim ever, but maybe it was too hard for you!

  • BadBoyBonner #42 5 years ago

    And the "on-line" element of this defies belief!

    What were they thinking? I am sure most people will buy it just expecting to be able to race together after taking part in an 8 car race. I await the cheaply sold of returns with open arms.

  • stoopidgreg #43 5 years ago

    "dismissing RBR discredits the rest of the review to be honest . . ."

    exactly. RBR reigns supreme amongst rally games, far surpassing colin mcrae and the likes. try playing RBR with a wheel - you'll crash every 10 meters. but try getting GOOD at it using a wheel, and it's just sublime to play. the reason why no one played RBR was that it was so delightfully challenging, and you couldn't play it with a keyboard or joypad.

  • LeD #44 5 years ago

    Forza 2 has a realistic driving model, and I enjoyed that very much in the demo.

    DiRT has an arcadey driving model, and I enjoyed that very much in the demo.

    So I'll be buying both, and have different shades of fun with the two of them.

  • dsmx #45 5 years ago

    The Americanism in this game has ruined it for me, thanks codemasters for ruining the game for me.

  • BadBoyBonner #46 5 years ago

    It's easy to get sucked in by the visuals and presentation, which are truly among the best on Xbox 360, but looking past that, some of the flaws show strongly. The cars in DiRT -- be it a Lancer Evo or a garbage truck -- turn on a central pivot. Even bicycles don't turn on a central pivot. With realistic racers such as Forza 2 on the market, the central pivot feels especially unnatural.

    [link url= http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/795/795150p2.html
    ]http://uk .xbox360.ign.com/articles/795/7...[/link]

    Plus obviously you can simply play the demo - where it becomes painfully obvious.

  • rashes #47 5 years ago

    so is this out today?

  • TheEnd #48 5 years ago

    The most irritating part is that with the X360's processing grunt, the physics should be simply amazing.

    Instead, amazingly bad is what we get instead.

  • LeD #49 5 years ago

    BadBoyBonner - but what if it is fun and hectic? I like fun and hectic games, me.

  • stampax #50 5 years ago

    Played the demo of this - and it really made me think this is what's wrong with gaming. For me it seemed like every other racing game I've played before, but with slightly prettier trees and background. Major yawn.

    Give me innovation and originality please......................

    Having said that, I don't mind too much when it's the latest football game that does this, so maybe it's just because i'm not a massive racing fan. Im praying that the new burnout offers something that feels new though, and not just a 'prettier' game.

  • PapaSmurf630 #51 5 years ago

    "In car view on the demo was the most satisfying next gen experience I've had... even better than Gear of War.. picking this up on Friday for sure."

    My sentiments exactly. Gorgeous graphics, handling that, once you get used to it, is great and alround exciting fun! Even the voice-over I can forgive.

  • LOLLERS #52 5 years ago

    "I'd still rather play Rallisport 2 on the 360, if Microsoft actually get around to making it compatible. "


    Ditto. RBR is great and that, but it's inaccessible for 99% of people since it's a sim, Rallisport and Forza show how to do a realistically handling game that's accessible.

    Unfortunately I doubt we'll see a new Rallisport or a BC patch for a while though, judging by this interview - http://ww w.gamesindustry.biz/content_pag...


    :( EA
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 15:12

  • the-fell #53 5 years ago

    Yup the in car view on DiRT is pure win.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 15:10

  • crazyhorse174 #54 5 years ago

    "Played the demo of this - and it really made me think this is what's wrong with gaming. For me it seemed like every other racing game I've played before, but with slightly prettier trees and background. Major yawn.

    Give me innovation and originality please......................"

    What do you want? Driving with no wheels on the car? Skidding on the roof round a track? Or perhaps floating round on tyres filled with helium?

    Funnily enough, driving hasn't changed much for the last hundred years and that goes for racing as well, so of course every racing game is going to seemsimliar to the last one. How the hell can you change it?

  • asphaltcowboy #55 5 years ago

    No mention of how excruciatingly bad it is with the wireless wheel?

  • ccfb #56 5 years ago

    "driving hasn't changed much for the last hundred years"

    You forgot cup-holders, fool. Back to class.

  • sharpfish #57 5 years ago

    Yea it has tearing, yeah it's "Only" 30fps but the impression of speed is great. I agree with a post above about the STUNNING in car view with sunlight dancing over the dashboard... extremely impressive stuff and very, very immersive. The demo played amazingly too, I could have done without the minor slowdowns and occasional tearings but Codies have REALLY upped the stakes in this game, it makes Forza 2 look like Pole Position on the Atari VCS by comparison ;) (and yes I've now got Forza 2 and I enjoy it for what it is).

    Still can't quite work out how it got less than Forza when it surpasses forza in so many ways, but that's just the usual eurogamer quirkyness kicking in (all the best games get an 8 on eurogamer - fact! ;) )

    I used to work in Juice Studios (which I belive combined with the Colin Mcrae team) and seeing this running they have come on a LONG way and I wish I was still their with them helping to put stuff out like this. It is the most "next gen" of all the racers so far, easily. Just seems very very polished and the driving is not so serious as to be clinical/boring but instead gives the feeling of what it would be like rather than 100% "By the numbers" copy which would never work so well on a 2D Screen anyway.

    Massive thumbs up to Codies. Oh and the american voice bothers me not a jot, I prefered it a thousands more to the scottish voice in the Race Driver games - but as I used to spend hours every day listening to it I guess that's understandable, drove me up the wall! :)
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 15:21

  • TheEnd #58 5 years ago

    The only thing next gen about CMR:DIRT is the graphics.

    GTR2 is a far more 'next-gen' racing game than Dirt will ever be.

  • UncleLou #59 5 years ago

    Certainly "immersion" is an important factor (to which visuals can contribute greatly), and I agree that the Cockpit view in DiRT is absolutely amazing. It makes you wince when you crash, which is pretty unique.

    I love Simbin's games (and at the same time hate the sterile feel of their games) but this is a different genre, really. Ace Combat isn't shit because it's not Flight Simulator.

  • BadBoyBonner #60 5 years ago

    @LeD - but what if it is fun and hectic? I like fun and hectic games, me.


    With that said - surely then the multiplayer online aspect could have given this a shot in the arm - in the very same way that PGR3 managed it as a launch game. Instead it seems to have shot itself in the head by not including it - The mind boggles.

  • sharpfish #61 5 years ago

    Well for many people, graphics are still important. The underlying game / gameplay is far from lame... it is FUN while not being amazingly accurate. Tie that with outstanding presentation and you have a "next gen" experience. These are video *GAMES* after all they are meant to be visceral, enjoyable, something out of the norm.

    The emphasis too many so called 'hardcore racers' put on the value of exact simulation is missing the point of mass market games, codies have got to make money and make a game appealing to all kinds of players, and this is a brilliant game.

    I don't know why we always get the predictiable "gameplay is nothing new" after a review of ANY game that looks great, take it as read that it's only on the rare occasions we are going to get innovation or 100% perfect gameplay WITH stunning graphics and the rest of the time just be happy that we have the technology and the people using it to make all kinds of games to suit all kinds of players.


  • BadBoyBonner #62 5 years ago

    "No mention of how excruciatingly bad it is with the wireless wheel?"

    Here. here. Probably not even bothered to test it. If they have, then that is even worse, as they then have not bothered to even write about it - in a product review?!?

    Edit - I say here, here - as I have the wheel and it controls terribly - due to the pivot point mentioned earlier. Might be better to adapt some Tank controls, or better still, have the analogue sticks acting like tank tracks - able to thrust independantly.

    Infact - think that would get me interested enough to have a few more goes on the demo if you could do that.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 15:35

  • KD #63 5 years ago

    Yes the voice is annoying in CMR but the lad who does it travis pastrana beat colin mcrae in the last xgames on the rally event and they are buddies now which explains the reason why he's in it. Also anyone crazy enough to pull off this http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=VngJrAIzFNE can annoy me anytime, his voice is too american but he's a legend

  • SomaticSense #64 5 years ago

    /fails to win stage

    "Oh maaaan!!! You suck!"

    /shoots Pastrana in face

  • SomaticSense #65 5 years ago

    "Yes the voice is annoying in CMR but the lad who does it travis pastrana beat colin mcrae in the last xgames on the rally event and they are buddies now which explains the reason why he's in it. Also anyone crazy enough to pull off this http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=VngJrAIzFNE can annoy me anytime, his voice is too american but he's a legend "

    I take it you didn't actually see the X-Games you mentioned? Because Pastrana only just managed to beat McRae in that Special Stage even after McRae rolled the bleedin car.
    In other words a past it rally driver (as evidenced when Colin subbed for Loeb in the Citroen last year) almost beat him despite crashing, which is hardly boast worthy material for Pastrana, and definitely not indicative of a superior rally talent....

    Face it, Pastrana was shoehorned in because he's a big star in America, and has had some success driving a rally car over there amongst competition which you can hardly call 'world class'. It's an obvious tactic by Codemasters to get more sales over in Yankland.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 15:47

  • Xerx3s #66 5 years ago

    Played the demo of this and forza and thought this was actually more fun.

    /feels dirty

  • The-Bodybuilder #67 5 years ago

    I such a graphics whore, I just want to buy the title just for the gfx alone.

  • Whizzo #68 5 years ago

    Colin McRae's name doesn't have an awful lot of clout over in the US, which why it's just called DiRT over there.

  • LeD #69 5 years ago

    Played the demo of this and forza and thought this was actually more fun.

    /feels dirty

    Same here. But fun is fun and you should never feel any shame for it.

    /masturbates furiously

  • ccfb #70 5 years ago

    Is it still an 8 or is it back to 9 now?

  • LeD #71 5 years ago

    It's a 9 if you squint a bit.

  • Virvel #72 5 years ago

    Too simplistic driving physics and why make a bloody circus out of the rally genre? Oh I remember, it had to be molded for the trip across the atlantic. Give me WRC or Richard Burns any day. And that commentator is just embarrasing to listen to.

    Can someone comment on the longevity of this as an arcade racer? The graphics looks fantastic and I might invest in it for saturday night quick fixes :)

    This reminds me of the first time I tried Toca Racedriver, also from Codemasters. I wanted some more on-track cars and car damage after getting tired of Gran Turismo, but the physics SO let me down I just had to throw the game away. Never played it afterwards.

  • Frogger #73 5 years ago

    Smaller screenshots please !

  • citizenHUNTER #74 5 years ago

    "...as the market filled with uninspiring rally titles like Rally Fusion and RICHARD BURNS RALLY"..!?!?!?

    Richard burns Rally is better than this pish will be. On that basis I didn't even bother reading the review, I've seen some movies and this game looks uninspired, flashy (yet still shit graphics during actual gameplay..), and yet more cheap arcadey thrills. Richard burns Rally dear reviewer sir is a fucking quality, challenging game.

    First time I've been truly pissed off at any remark a reviewer has made here, so ill informed and.. grrr!!!

  • defdaz #75 5 years ago

    I used to work at Codies, so I won't be buying this.

  • ruttyboy #76 5 years ago

    First time I played this (got some review code) I nearly turned it off before I'd even started because of that tosser American. 'No, I thought, give it a chance, it's just the menus'. So start a game (proper time trials, not that buggy shit) and I nearly cried as I found they'd even put a Yank in the car reading out my pace-notes in his stupid nasal tone! WHY?! WHYYYYYY?! At least give us the option of different co-drivers FFS!

    Also, I couldn't find *any* reference to Colin in the game other than his name printed on the title screen, not a picture, not a voice clip, nothing! The whole game seems to be a sham designed specifically for the American market with we Europeans (who actually like rallying) as an after thought...


    EDIT: To summarise the above, no one who I don't know is allowed to call me either 'dude, 'bud' or 'tiger'(!)
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 16:40

  • JonFE #77 5 years ago

    Does Dirt support the official wheel?

    Edit: Nevermind!
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 16:42

  • secombe #78 5 years ago

    A driving review with virtually no reference to the handling model (in fact I can't remember any mention at all!), ok so you probably haven't driven a rally car, but surely you can comment on how it feels? Too mamy rally games rely on the cars pivoting from the centre, which is as aabout as far from realism as you can get.

    Although saying that, I should have probably stopped reading when you dissed RBR. That would be like dissing GTR2 when reviewing a track-based game.

  • SomaticSense #79 5 years ago

    @ruttyboy

    You confirmed all my worst fears about the full version. I refused to believe that Codies would go that far in alienating the core fan base, but I always had a gut feeling that the whole Pastrana thing was only hinting towards their overall plan for the game.

    Not getting it now, even though a next-gen Colin McRae game was my number most looked forward to prospect :(

  • ruttyboy #80 5 years ago

    Never played RBR, but this sentence told me a lot about the reviewer:

    "The usual spread of Lancers, Subarus and the smaller rally cars of today..."

    I don't think he/she knows anything about rallying. Don't get me wrong though, that's not a bad thing if you want a review from the perspective of someone looking for an arcade rally experience. Sadly I am not.

  • smoison #81 5 years ago

    I definetlmy think this deserves a 9 on PC. No slow downs there and it looks even better.

    I don't understand why there's so much hate for Travis' is voice over? Or any American voice over in the game, its still better and MORE understandable then any UK accent.

    That and Travis ROCKS, you try a double backflip!


  • T4RG4 #82 5 years ago

    "Codies please, please, please - stop using the central pivot mechanism for turning, and use the actual tires turning the car while the back wheels try to go straight."

    Havent read the review yet BUT... is it STILL doing this? Gah, refuse to buy :)

  • ruttyboy #83 5 years ago

    "I don't understand why there's so much hate for Travis' is voice over?"

    Because not all of us listen to Avril Lavigne? ;)

  • tiddles #84 5 years ago

    We've only just noticed this, but there hasn't been a good rally game since Rallisport Challenge 2 on the good ol' Xbox.

    WRC: Rally Evolved, probably the best console rally game ever, although it didn't have the range of tracks that WRC 4 had...

  • smoison #85 5 years ago

    So all americans have a lady voice?

    Or are you just a biggot like FluffyTucker...

    Ya, I wonder.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 17:02

  • UncleLou #86 5 years ago

    Browsed the official forums a bit:

    It's a completely new engine with no connectioon to previous CMR games. No pivot point, Though I'm sure we'll get accused of it anyway. Race Driver's been pivot-free for years but people still claim it's using one.
    __________________
    Rich Tysoe

  • nickthegun #87 5 years ago

    If by 'shoehorning a yank' into the game, DiRT sells more copies, thus allowing the codies to produce more games who really gives a shit?

  • defdaz #88 5 years ago

    If the games are too annoying to play, who gives a shit if they can produce more.

  • tiddles #89 5 years ago

    re pivots - it's an illusion based on the way the third person camera is set up - if the camera pivot is placed too near the centre of the car you get the infamous "cocktail stick" effect, even if the physics of the car are working correctly. Try reversing in first person view - the turning motion will feel completely different to moving forward if the physics have been modelled properly.

  • nickthegun #90 5 years ago

    Well, if you want to miss out on a good game just because the announcer annoys you, thats your problem, to be honest.

    Im just happy to see a big game from the Codies again.

  • #91 5 years ago

    It's a pity they are diluting this with the big trucks and other rubbish.

    I don't mind a little variety but only if it's good. Racer Driver has some great variety now but also some vehicles that stink from the butthole.

  • asphaltcowboy #92 5 years ago

    "Does Dirt support the official wheel?

    Edit: Nevermind!"

    Phew! You almost got me started there! Lucky save!

  • andromeda #93 5 years ago

    the demo was extremely good.
    Yes it tears now and again. Yes the framerate dips every now and again. yes the septics voice is irratating to hell.

    But in THAT cockpit. With THAT rumble. At THAT speed...the first real next-gen experience ive had to date.

    /boots up Forza until this comes along

  • GamesConnoisseur #94 5 years ago

    I did not enjoy Dirt Demo that much cos of the handling and thought Forza 2 demo was a bit boring and stale...

    But what do I know? I now can't put down Forza and got myself to level 20 since Friday last week, I would however rent Dirt first to see if I can enjoy this despite the handling and worse, the tearings on x360 in general absolutely drives me up the wall!

    Though when tearings happens I switch from preferred VGA back to component i.e. Dead Rising and Splinter Cell, but a lot of bother.

  • tiddles #95 5 years ago

    tiddles: even WRC4 came out after RSC2, but the caveat there (which I missed too) was "Xbox", heh.

    The way the sentence is constructed implied to me that it meant "hasn't been a good rally game since RSC2 on Xbox", rather than no good Xbox rally game since RSC2.

  • tiddles #96 5 years ago

    I didn't think much of the demo the first time I played it, but second time around it was much more fun... the handling is definitely dumbed down, but still fun and playable - think somewhere between RSC and Shox. The announcer is a bit annoying, but I think you would tune him out after a while...

  • ruttyboy #97 5 years ago

    "So all americans have a lady voice?

    Or are you just a biggot like FluffyTucker...

    Ya, I wonder."

    Erm, it was a light hearted comment intended to show that not all of us wish to immerse ourselves in 'skaterboy culture'.


    "Well, if you want to miss out on a good game just because the announcer annoys you, thats your problem, to be honest."

    As I said, I was prepared to let it go in the menus, but it's the co-driver too, so there's no getting away from it.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 18:43

  • smoison #98 5 years ago

    motocross / supercross / and now rallying = Travis pastrana

    There is no "skaterboy" culture anywhere here.

    Sorry for the mis understanding.

  • ruttyboy #99 5 years ago

    No worries. The presentation of the game comes across like it's the next Tony Hawks game or something and it grates. The world of rallying is so far removed from all that stuff that it seems really odd and spoils the atmosphere, for me at any rate.

    /puts on anorak
    /climbs into misty Welsh forest

  • menage #100 5 years ago

    Jeez. 360 is fast becoming the place to be if you like cars isn't it. \

    Not for me though. The only cargame I want is Burnout 5.

  • wildstoo #101 5 years ago

    Luke, as soon as you said that Richard Burns Rally was uninspiring I stopped reading, because you proved you don't know what you're talking about and shouldn't be reviewing a rally game.

    Next time, try getting a basic understanding of the genre you're reviewing so you don't make yourself look ill informed. In the meantime, go and review a Pokemon game or something you're more suited to.

  • Overlush #102 5 years ago

    Yes, nice, BUT WHERE THE FUCK IS RALLISPORT 3?

  • smelly #103 5 years ago

    What's with all the hate just 'cause of Gordon burn's rally?

    It's just a game. Surely all that's important is if this game is fun or not?

    Personally, it's a racing game.. so nope its not fun.. But that's just me :-)


  • FooAtari #104 5 years ago

    Bit confused by all the hate. McRae has always been an aracdeish game.

    Although Travis annoys me, I thought the stages were quite fun and the wheel worked well. Didn't like the buggies much though. And im a bit disapointed Codies have chosen to cater for an american audience.

    But I too was unimpressed by the Richard Burns Rally comments in the review. A highly regarded and great game. Was it too hard for the reviewer?? Not a reason to bash a game...

  • jebus #105 5 years ago

    Hmm - 8/10 - so not as good as Sensible Soccer then??

  • TurboBailey #106 5 years ago

    Dont agree with he reviewer about saying Richard Burns was crap. Far more realistic than DIRT. Especialy with a steering wheel.

    Think i'll aqure this - i aint paying £40 for (if the demo is anything to go by) utter dirt.

    The words Disappointing and Globalisation keep going thru my head.

    Where my Stella.

    Laterz

  • login_name #107 5 years ago

    Comparing DiRT to Richard Burns is like comparing Ace Combat to F/A-18 or Ridge Racer to GTR2. They're completely different styles of game. One's arcadey and the other a sim. Although I personally prefer the more accessible fun of Sega Rally and CM, I'm proud of what we set out to do with RBR and I personally don't think anyone has come close to creating a more realistic rally sim.

    It is bloody hard though :)

  • Nitrous #108 5 years ago

    Somone may have said this already and I missed it but I'll say it anyway.

    THE AMERICAN VOICE CAN BE TURNED OFF! at least you could in the demo, it was under the sound options for "voice" if I remember rightly.Turn that down/off and it eliminated the menu's guy at least. Hopfully this will be the same in the full version, maybe the review could confirm this as it shouldn't effect your co-driver when giving out pace notes....

  • smelly #109 5 years ago

    >Dont agree with he reviewer about saying Richard Burns was crap

    he didnt say it was crap.

  • timknott #110 5 years ago

    I've been trying, without much luck to find out what multiplayer options this has, for two people on the same xbox. on CMR 4 they had a split screen vs mode, with an overlay of each others car on the track, this was where i spend most of my time. is this still available??

  • Mercatoria #111 5 years ago

    If the voice can be turned off
    I'll still get the game

  • skuzzbag #112 5 years ago

    >he didnt say it was crap.

    Learn to read between the lines FFS, he said Richard Burns was a transvestite and only a MF would play the game.
    Edited by 1 at 12/06/07 @ 22:53

  • Vin #113 5 years ago

    Whoever uttered that about Burns is a shitheel.

  • tiddles #114 5 years ago

    buttmunch... that's a good word which I haven't heard for a while

  • miiiguel #115 5 years ago

    shockingly on-topic: I don't know who that Burns dude is, but this seems to be the best racing game, like... ever!

    I'm hitting the refresh button at Amazon's site to check when it's shiped, you know... so I can have DiRTy dreams...
    Edited by 1 at 13/06/07 @ 01:27

  • izak #116 5 years ago

    Yes, I would also like to know about the non live multi-player options please. Any chance of split screen... 4 player?

  • Beano #117 5 years ago

    Has Codemasters given a reason why PS3 owners have to wait until october to buy this game?

  • Darren #118 5 years ago

    @Beano - According to an interview I've read, Codemasters wrote the Neon engine with both next-gen consoles in mind so there is no lead version as such; just they had the 360 development kit earlier. I presume that is the reason the PS3 version has been delayed but it's better that than getting a rushed, shoddy version surely?

  • skuzzbag #119 5 years ago

    I hasten to add that my post was in jest at the reviewer :)

  • Endoskeleton #120 5 years ago

    Have to admit, that mentioning Richard Burns Rally in such a bad light is near blasphemous. Richard Burns still belongs to the 1st throne to succeed Colin McRae rally 2 as a rally driving orgasm simulator.

  • Beano #121 5 years ago

    @Darren: Absolutely - I had just hoped I could choose between the two versions and buy the best one. I'll just have to settle with the 360 version then ;)

  • bag-in-box #122 5 years ago

    oh how i cross my fingers for all the bloom to be removed from the ps3- version.. looks awful really..

  • SBfistfun #123 5 years ago

    "Has Codemasters given a reason why PS3 owners have to wait until october to buy this game?"

    Because they're taking advantage of all the extra power the blueray and cell combo give the ps3.........

    Oh

  • Darren #124 5 years ago

    Well I'm kind of hoping that the PS3 version will be free of the tearing that the 360 version seems to have and run with a better framerate (don't laugh!).

    I'm buying the PC version now for £18 (the demo runs fine on my setup at 1680x1050 and looks identical to the 360 version except with no v-sync issues!) and will be playing it with the wireless 360 controller which seems to work superbly. I may pick up the PS3 version at a later date if it improves on the 360 version if only so I can play the game on a 32" screen with surround sound rather than the 22" one I have for my PC. Love my rally games, me! :)

  • UncleLou #125 5 years ago

    You're going to buy the same game again, for probably twice the money, in a few months, just so that you can play it on a screen that is 10 inches bigger?

    Sometimes you people confuse me. :)

  • miiiguel #126 5 years ago

    You PS3 lovers do love the waiting shit, don't you. You guys must suffer quite a bit everytime you see the TBsomething as a release date on every PS3's title.
    Edited by 1 at 13/06/07 @ 11:59

  • Les #127 5 years ago

    @ miiiguel

    There is professional help available for people like you.

  • Darren #128 5 years ago

    @UncleLou - Much as I like my PC for gaming, I'd still much rather play racing games on my Xbox 360 sprawled on my bed or lounging on a counch rather than sat up in a chair at a desk, one foot away from a screen. ;)

  • UncleLou #129 5 years ago

    Fair enough, you can obviously do what you want. I just found your dedication to get the maximum out of the game amazing, but I didn't mean it in any way negative. :)

  • smoison #130 5 years ago

    I recomende the Game with a G25 racing wheel. You can literaly feel each wheel!

  • Hullfire #131 5 years ago

    My copy arrived this morning from the ever wonderful ShopTo. It's great fun - loads of modes, loads of fun to be had.

  • FmCUK #132 5 years ago

    FYI anyone interested in Multiplayer. This has sod all options. What it has are done well, but don't hold out any hopes for collision based racing.

    Options in the game as far as I've seen:
    Xbox Live and System Link, with those:
    Quick Race or Custom Race, custom just lets you select between Rally or Rally/Hill Climb

    So no buggy racing, no crossover, no split screen and no collisions. Arse. Worst thing is, I'd played it with a mate for ages looking forward to system linking, finally got around to trying it to find those dreadful options. I mean, if they come in a patch, I'd much rather have a better game, but to be honest, I'll be surprised if they bother adding it, certainly not for free.

    This is probably the best looking racing game the next gen has seen, similarly the damage model and audio is superb - I haven't loved McRae handling for ages, feels fake to me but it's better here than it's been.

    So while I'd definitely always have bought it, (sendit.com got it me a day early and for £30) the review should've covered the multiplayer aspect in way more detail. Particularly as the last great xbox rally game had loads of online options.
    Edited by 1 at 14/06/07 @ 21:27

  • zakrocz #133 5 years ago

    What a bunch of whinging english wankers. Like somebody already said the first true next gen game for the 360 bar Gears.

    I'm British, and you know what, i like the yanks and i like the comments and i like the fXXking buggies too.

    I got hooked on CMR2 which was pure arcade and most fans of the series still hark back to that version as THE version.

    Dipping framerates, very little of that going on and when you consider the amount of detail that is being drawn it's hardly surprising and anyone who's ever owned a PC for gaming knows all about framerate dips no matter how many cpus or gfx cards they got installed.