Colin McRae DiRT 2 Review

Written by Anchorman Mazda Sunday, 13 December 2009 17:12

Ask any gamer to list some of the best racing titles of this generation and there’s a strong possibility that a game from Codemasters is going to be mentioned. When Colin McRae DiRT was released a number of years ago, it providers gamers with what could only be described as one of most critically acclaimed titles for its time. The game was simple in its approach, yet provided a varied and vast racing experience covering a great range of off-road racing, from numerous countries across the globe. Years later, we now have Colin McRae DiRT 2, which pays tribute to the late racing legend, but with a facelift and host of changes, does DiRT 2 continue this success story or does it leave Codemasters stuck in the mud?

The thing you notice immediately about DiRT 2 is how different it all feels. Before you even get to the main menu, you’ll notice that this game seems a whole lot more fast-paced and flashy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it benefits as a result. The physics, damage and visuals from the first game have all been carried over to DiRT 2, and they’ve been improved immensely. Tracks are no longer just dirt, gravel and tarmac – there is the inclusion of water which really isn’t as trivial as one might initially imagine. Driving right through a patch will reduce your speed significantly or driving through a corner with a few wheels entering the puddle might throw your control right off, and these things really need to be taken into consideration when you are taking the fastest line through a course. Night tracks also make their presence too.

The cars are also said to feel a little heavier, but to say it’s gone from GRID where the cars weighed as much as a feather to something like Forza Motorsport 3 where the cars actually feel realistic is a massive stretch. Yes, rally vehicles are light, and you will notice a slight improvement in the handling overall, but it’s nothing dramatic enough between this game and the one which preceded it to make a fuss about. That said, DiRT 2 is quite accessible this makes it a great arcade racer and one which anyone can pick-up and enjoy.

As mentioned earlier, Colin McRae DiRT 2 has undergone massive visual changes since DiRT and this can be pegged down to an attempt by the developers to make this game more appealing to the wider audiences (that is, the Americans). Initially I welcomed it, with the bright colours, the whole ‘travelling driver’ theme with the caravan, the superstar cameos such as Ken Block and Travis Pastrana and the in-race commentary between the drivers, but it does become repetitive as you spend more time in the game. It’s all good and well to make a title so that more people can enjoy it, but I can’t help but feel that DiRT 2 has deviated too far from the track and lost that off-road racing authenticity (ironic isn’t it).

From those who can remember, DiRT boasted tracks and cars from a whole number of countries and disciplines. There was the ability to race through the bushlands of Australia to the countryside of Germany and then the twisting mountain tracks of Japan, in cars like the Mitsubishi Evolution IX and Citroen C4 to the menacing buggies and petrol-thirsty lorries, but DiRT 2, while keeping that variety in the track locations, all seems a bit … same. Tracks range from the unforgiving jungles in Malaysia to the wickedly fast straights of Utah as well as the street-tracks of Los Angeles (USA) just to name a few. Cars like the Mitsubishi Evolutions and buggies do make their appearance, along with other off-roaders like the Mitsubishi Pajero and BMW X5, but there are no lorries, there are even no Citroens … there’s no variety! Really, once you’ve driven one car on each track, you’ve driven them all.

There is no sense of distinction between the cars and for the number of locations, the track variety within them is ridiculously limited. Often you’ll be given just one course and then the rest of the tracks for that location are either smaller variants or the same in reverse. And touching upon what I said before about losing that off-road authenticity, this game goes further to include cars and locations just for the sake of it – with cars like the BMW Z4 which isn’t a rally car in any sense of the word. Also, why have three locations in America but none in Australia – it just isn’t logical.

In the end, putting aside all the criticism, Colin McRae DiRT 2 is a great game, but it does suffer from a few short-comings. The game looks great, plays great and overall is a fantastic package, but I can’t help but feel disappointed as both a fan of the franchise and as a gamer looking forward to a solid off-road racing experience, especially since I know what has been done before. There are heaps of cars and more variety in the locations, but Codemasters have neglected to include proper rally vehicles and locations just to add cars and places to please the masses rather than the loyal fans. There is also far too much leniency given to cutting corners which just results in leaderboard times being unrealistically quick. A great racing game but not one which has that longevity and replay value that I might have liked.

Rating: 85 out of 100

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