
It's always difficult to balance extremely contrasting game modes, and DiRT Rally 2.0 doesn't quite pull it off.

In part this comes down to a tonal shift from the individual nature of rallying versus the direct competition of a race against other drivers. It's still good of Codemasters to include a mode that focuses on rallycross as well, and it does maintain a level of authenticity that will be appreciated, but it lacks that tense atmosphere that comes with the rallying. The rallycross is still a lot of fun, but it doesn't quite have the same diligent nature of its counterpart.

Meanwhile, the odd set of lights from rural towns or a flare held by a steward adds a dose of color - it's truly something to behold.ĭiRT Rally 2.0 isn't successful all the way through - at least not to the same extent as the straight-up rallying mode. Always a litmus test for whether a game's design truly works, DiRT Rally 2.0 is at its peak during these midnight races, as the player's headlights give a brief snapshot of the chaos ahead amidst the dark. It's never enough to cause a loss of concentration, but plenty to put a sheen on the environment, whether an arid plain or a deep forest.įrom a purely graphical perspective, nothing beats the night races though.
#Dirt rally vs dirt rally 2.0 driver#
At times, the game is absolutely gorgeous, with a special shoutout to those races that take place at dawn or dusk as the sun shines over the track, ever-so-slightly blinding the driver in the prettiest way possible. Part of the allure of DiRT Rally 2.0 is the attention to detail over the courses as well, with a quality miles ahead of the likes of The Grand Tour. DiRT Rally 2.0 shows a valiant level of respect for the sport as a whole, and although those unfamiliar with rallying may be scratching their heads at the slippery tracks and unforgiving approach to straying from the course, long-term racing nuts will be keen to get involved. It hammers home, time and time again, the importance of having a single shot at making a good run, and at times delivers an unbelievably dangerous journey for players. The rally mode is what makes DiRT Rally 2.0 stand out from the crowd, due to its understanding of what makes rallying a great form of motorsport and different from its peers. Rather than just sitting pretty as a gimmick, understanding and paying attention to the instructions of the co-driver makes the difference between success and catastrophic failure, giving brief preparation for the turns and hazards that lie ahead. The aforementioned co-driver mechanic is one of the areas that truly shows Codemasters' understanding of rallying as a whole, and it's something that previous rally games have often struggled with. It's an entirely different skill set to the typical racing game, and rewards those that know when to push and know when to play it cautious. Yes, racing directly against others is always a lot of fun, and seen with another impressive Codemasters sim F1 2018, but hurtling around country lanes with no-one but the vital co-driver for company is an unbelievable adrenaline rush. That ignores the fact that this is some of the most thrilling racing gameplay that's available on the current generation of consoles.

Starting with a less powerful car, nonetheless the courses can be especially vicious, even from the get go.
#Dirt rally vs dirt rally 2.0 drivers#
With the option of a traditional rally or the more pick-up-and-play rallycross - where it's generally a straight-up race against other drivers - there's a lot to run with. The primary gameplay mode in DiRT Rally 2.0 is the career mode, and it's here that the game truly shines. Instead, it expects racers to be patient as they learn the basics, and those that persevere will find a fantastic rallying sim. It deliberately removes some of the generic trappings that racing games usually find themselves in, traditional map included, and includes no comfortable safety net to keep players feeling cosy.

Related: Forza Horizon 4 Review: The Best Open World Racing Game In Yearsīecause of this, fair weather racing fans may find DiRT Rally 2.0 a little on the intimidating side. DiRT Rally 2.0 follows suit, taking on all comers and offering up a seriously tough learning curve. The 2015 release was a hard-as-nails recreation of rally driving, forgoing the more relaxed arcade style that had often come with the territory for the niche motorsport. Blind turns, slippery pathways, and brutal drops mark the way, so why should it be a cakewalk?Ĭodemasters gained some well-deserved notoriety when it came to DiRT Rally. Within minutes of starting DiRT Rally 2.0's career mode, players will be hurling a Lancia down a tight narrow path in the middle of the night, with nothing but headlights and the soothing voice of a co-driver for company. DiRT Rally 2.0 doesn't suffer fools lightly, and rightly so.
