DiRT Rally 2.0 | Xbox One | Review

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Some things in life are bloody hard. Think ironing on those travel-sized boards, resisting that packet of Ginger Nuts hidden within the cupboardy prison, understanding anything written by a lawyer, or the cleverly titled DiRT Rally 2.0. We might jest, chums, but seriously: this is the *snicker* Dark Souls of racing games...

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​by Rob Holt

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@acousticmagic

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​Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Players: 1-8

We loved Codies’ last rally game, the perhaps confusingly named DiRT 4, thus ventured brimming with excitement into DiRT Rally 2.0. That being said, the first ten-plus hours were quite painful, to be honest. Sliding off the edge of banks, crashing into walls, flipping over regularly, smashing the bodywork to pieces, and many, many punctures studded our formative time with the game.

After sticking with it and learning the ropes though, the magic began to happen. Sports games can only truly be judged by their gameplay, so it’s there we must begin. Believe us when we say that every car in 2.0 feels unique. This in itself is a phenomenal achievement (though not the first time for Codemasters), yet when you add custom tune-ups and new parts to the mix, the handling possibilities really are endless. The game’s ozone destroyers also behave wildly differently depending on the terrain they’re on; something that’s especially thrilling in the superb rallycross stages.
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​The crunch of gravel, screech of tarmac and slippy-slidey of mud feel gloriously tactile, and that’s using a controller, so we can only imagine the majesty of the full-on wheel and pedals experience. The weight of each car and accompanying peril as you slide around corners, nip through tight tracks flanked by trees and misjudge the occasional jump is surprisingly tangible. Ultimately, this feeling is what’ll make players fight though the opening hardships, always coming back for more.​

So, the driving is grand, but what of the modes, options and whatnot? Yet again those Birmingham-based blighters at Codies have coughed up a super selection of stuff to enjoy. 

From the title screen you’ll find two main methods of play: My Team and Freeplay. My Team focuses on online-centric challenges, AI challenges, and both rally and rallycross career modes. The career modes are an excellent timesink, but we’ve really found ourselves getting stuck into the daily and weekly challenges, which counter-balance the longevity of career with short, sharp tear-ups.

Freeplay features a quad collection of historic rallying (absolutely fantastical), officially licensed FIA world rallycross championship, time trial, and, most intriguing of all, custom mode. Here in the custom world one can create and share their very own championships and stages, all created via an easy-to-use system. Players decide on terrain, type of race, number of stages, weather for these stages, track conditions, etc. Much like DiRT 4’s Your Stage, Custom guarantees staying power. ​​

Raindrops hit the screen with a thud, and muck splatters the back of whatever diesel-burner you happen to be controlling.

2.0 is a real looker, too. Bash your way around cliffs as the sun sets and you’ll see what we mean, as gorgeous lighting creates lens flare and has distant waters shimmering away beautifully. Stagnant puddles glisten with filth, raindrops hit the screen with a thud, and muck splatters the back of whatever diesel-burner you happen to be controlling. Some of the backgrounds might be lacking a bit in detail, but honestly, when the driving is this intense, and the foreground this pretty, you probably won’t care.

Sound-wise, 2.0 gives us the same aural problems that DiRT 4 did, unfortunately. The raucous wailing of engine noise possesses the ability to grate on both oneself and the neighbours, and, on a personal note, the monotone of the co-driver is so reminiscent of my Year 10 ICT teacher that I began to nod off. Menu music and background vibes are fine, if a little understated. ​

We do have a few more niggles that we’d like to mention on top of that charismatic co-driver, though, folks. Whilst we personally loved the total lack of hand-holding tutorials, many with the desire to get involved with DiRT for the first time will be left feeling woefully unprepared for the mountainous learning curve and ridiculously narrow tracks that lie ahead. A practice/training mode, as seen in DiRT 4, would certainly have allayed this issue.

We’ve also experienced some problems with low-light and night races (the many miserable, rainy Polish rallies come to mind), where even Dr. Personality’s instructions can’t save you from smashing into trees, or even missing whole corners, because you couldn’t bloomin’ well see ‘em! Playing these at nighttime with the lights off and the brightness dialled up will help, but that’s realism gone too far.

These minor negatives aside, DiRT Rally 2.0 is exactly the kind of game that people don’t really make anymore. It’s mercilessly tough, never holds your hand, and takes a while to really get under your bonnet. If you don’t have the leather interior and hub-caps for that, then we suggest you stick with DiRT 4, but for anyone up to the challenge, we can’t recommend this enough.  

Pros

• Hours upon hours of gameplay, spread across multiple modes
• Tough, but incredibly rewarding racing
• A truly authentic representation of the sport
• Gorgeous visuals
• No hand-holding...

Cons

• … Likely making it too hard to crack for some
• Engine noise and co-driver can grate
• Some Lighting and further graphical issues

8/10