DiRT for PS3 (A great rally game)

I wouldn't consider myself a driving game connoisseur but I know one when I see one.

Having been a fan of the older Need for Speed games for the PC like "Porsche Unleashed" and Codemasters' off-road free for all "Insane", I've mainly been exposed to great arcade racing titles. However, the only real rally game I've ever played was for the Nintendo 64 called "Top Gear Rally" which I loved.

Now, in the next-gen era of video games, I've stumbled across the rally game DiRT which is also from Codemasters. While I still haven't played enough of the game to give a good solid review, I can at least give my recommendation based on what I've seen so far. The graphics are nothing short of spectacular which can be seen from the introduction to the game alone and the physics are "on the spot". The replay mode is fun to look at after you've hopefully won the race and if you want to restart the race after a bad crack-up, there is almost no load time. I also like how you can adjust the difficulty level of each race based on your learning curve. The harder the difficulty level, the higher the reward you win and vice versa.

What I didn't particularly care for in the race is the co-driver who just can't keep his mouth shut when he's with you in the car. I would say that perhaps 25% of what he says is helpful for navigating through the track but the rest can be distracting. Maybe there's a way to shut him off but I doubt it. I also wish there was a "second chance" mode like in "Grid" where you can replay and what you did wrong and perhaps win the race instead of flying off a cliff.

I didn't get to use a driving wheel yet for this game but just ordered the "Logitech Driving Force Pro" for less than 50 bucks off the amazon marketplace so this should dramatically change this game's driving experience for me.

This is a solid rally racing game that's very enjoyable and accessable to a wide range of people based on how you can adjust the difficulty level prior to each race. I just hope that with the addition of the driving wheel this great game becomes better.

Dirt for PS3 a real dust kicker!

If you like racing games, Dirt delivers on many levels. Tons of vehicles to choose from, lots of tracks and a really slick interface, this game delivers. The only downside would be a slightly constrictive multiplayer and my own personal preference for upgrades on vehicles.

As you win races in career mode, you earn money and open up new tracks. Use this money to purchase new vehicles and liveries. The races can get increasingly harder and longer and present as much a challenge as you would like them to. You can increase the difficulty or decrease it on each different race, ensuring that you aren't pigeonholed into one difficulty setting. Career mode is rewarding and fun as you slog through the mud. You tons of choices for racing ranging from RWD vehicles (my favorite) to dune buggies and semi trailers.

Multiplayer mode is fun, but I expected a little bit more. Inviting my friends to race and seeing everyone tearing up a hill together would have been nice. As it is, I am reduced to playing with whomever I am paired with and racing alone but against the other drivers virtually. All racers are timed and the quickest wins.

Of note is the loading interface which does a great job of keeping you entertained while you wait for the next board. It flashes up statistics of what you have accomplished. How many races you've won, how many times you've had a terminal crash, how long you've been on two wheels, etc. There are lots of things that they list and it is a nice job from the "loading" screen.

A couple of downsides: I wish that I could upgrade the vehicles as I gain more money. Instead of spending my hard earned money on "liveries", different paintwork and sponsors on your car, I would have preferred buying a better set of tires or upgrading my shocks. The other downside would be the lack of trophies. Retro patch them already!

Overall, this is an excellent game. The racing is realistic without being too much of a simulation and the offroad racing is addictive and fun. It is well worth picking up.

I hope my first review helps! Feel free to ask me if you have any other questions.

Dirt (PS3) Review

Being a rally fan I came across Dirt a few months ago (little late). It is an excellent game and after seeing it knew I needed a copy for myself. This game is extremely hard to find, no one had a new or used copy, so eBay looked to be my last resort. I have very much enjoyed playing this game so far and hope that it continues to impress. I think the only thing I'm not fond of is the way the cars rotate in the game. Everything rotates on a center axis (ie. A spike through the middle of the car that is rotates around when turning). I knew this issue before from reviews of the game and it does take away from some of the realism but once you switch the camera view to anything other then 3rd person you don't notice it. On a whole the game is solid and with lots of vehicles to purchase and customize. Recommend to anyone who is a Rally fan, it may not be the most realistic game but is about the only good rally game currently available.

Great Game

Pros
Great Graphics
Plenty Cars
Plenty Challenges
Intense
The sense of speed in this game is great just grab yourself a hill climb car for that ultimate thrill ride. Almost every racing league that graces a dirt course is in this game, from World Rally to CORR to RAID to DAKAR if it kicks up dust it's in this game and represented at its best. The sound is great too, hear those pebbles hitting under the wheel well, the tyres screeching along through corners on the tarmac the sickening crashing sounds of you hitting a boulder at 120mph and a navigator that moonlights as a comic. Grab this game it's for everyone with 5 difficulty settigns ranging from Rookie to Pro great for both kids and adults

DiRT is the best Off-Road racing game so far.

DiRT is the best off-road racing game so far. No BS, just racing. With Rally cars, Trophy trucks, up to Pikes Peak big rigs most types of off-road are covered. Rallycross, Cross-Over and even Paris to Dakar semi trucks are also part of the fun. I'm 25% through career mode and can't wait to unlock the upper portion of Pikes. The rally portion is varied with pavement sections, lots of gravel, and tight forests. A steering wheel and pedal set are highly recomended. If you're like me and want real racing games where you don't have to run pimps over and sell crack, this is an excellent choice.