Having tried the real thing PH goes virtual with the new console version of DiRT Rally
Rally games are often trickier than track and street based counterparts. And while previous instalments in the DiRT franchise have erred more towards the arcade end of the realism spectrum, Codemasters' relentless pursuit of authenticity in DiRT Rally takes that level of difficulty to new heights. So is it 'just' a very realistic game, or in fact a fully-fledged simulator?
When the developers have modelled surface density you suspect it may be leaning toward the latter. Underlining Codemasters' confidence it let us loose in
an Escort RS2000 on a Welsh rally stage before letting us try the game, meaning any inaccuracies would have been only too obvious. Rallycross star Liam Doran was also on hand, saying driving his car in the game was "almost identical" to driving it in real life. Simulator it is then?
Casual gamers can relax though. With the assists left on DiRT Rally is still both accessible and fun. Conspicuous at first is the absence of the ability to rewind time, seemingly ubiquitous in modern racing games now. But the satisfaction drawn from threading together a series of corners or, eventually, honing a whole stage, makes it worthwhile. The game may punish mistakes more harshly than before, but it rewards success more richly too.
Running at a constant 60fps on both consoles, visually DiRT Rally is excellent. Though not quite as polished as the standard-setting Forza Motorsport series, it far surpasses its rivals. However the game's immersive nature extends beyond graphics alone. Camera drones hover above your car, wildlife darts across your path, tyres puncture after heavy impacts and damage is carried over between stages. As the environment blurs around you, the whine of the turbo, whistle of the blow-off valve, clunk of the diff and crackle of the exhaust give a sense of speed and drama often lacking in racing games.
One of the aces up the game's sleeve is the co-driver, voiced by chief game designer Paul Coleman. A co-driver in real life, his pace notes guide you through each event. Recorded whilst in a simulator, there will be occasions when you forget he's not really sitting next to you on the sofa. Although mostly excellent, his reactions can sometimes be a little off. On one occasion Paul's voice calmly relays "the radiator's taken a knock" as the car spirals through the trees, wheels and bodywork flying off!
Between competing in the career mode, custom events, online head-to-head and weekly and monthly challenges, DiRT Rally provides enough to keep you occupied for many hours. You'll also need to manage your rally team, hiring increasingly more skilled members to get your car back on the road between events. And should you tire of the 70 stages split across six locations or the smorgasbord of cars, DiRT Rally is also the official game of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, from which three circuits and six cars provide a different style of racing and a good platform for head-to-head multiplayer. In addition Pikes Peak, offered in both gravel and tarmac guises, is the sole occupant of the game's Hillclimb mode. Although a fun challenge and nice extra, there is certainly room for more content - some shorter tracks and a few more modern cars wouldn't go amiss.
The lack of in-game flashbacks feels like it could have been a metaphor for DiRT Rally itself. The game's direction since losing the Colin McRae name meant no second chances if Codemasters had got it wrong. Thankfully it hasn't. The selection of cars and locations, sharpness of graphics and depth of immersion combine to create its finest racing title to date. A game with enough detail to finally satisfy diehard rally fans, but which any gamer looking for a challenge will love, DiRT Rally is out today for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
