DiRT
Posted September 29, 2007
Well known for the Colin McRae series of racing games, Codemasters has taken their extensive knowledge of rally racing and created DiRT, a racing title for the Xbox 360. While it leans more toward an arcade nature, there are several simulation-based features included in the title. It also helps to fill the void left by the absence of a Xbox 360 Rallisport Challenge title. 
Gameplay
DiRT offers several game modes for the player to try out. The bulk of the game is centered around the career mode though. Career mode starts the plays with a small amount of money and allows them to work there way up a tiered pyramid filled with rally, hill-climb, rally-cross, and crossover races. Each race has five difficulties to choose from, varying in dollar awards for completion. If you complete a low level, you have the option of coming back later to win larger prizes on the tougher difficulties.
Modifying the difficulty raises the competitive level of the A.I., but it also increases the penalty for driving incorrectly. Flying off the track just once on a high difficulty level can completely mangle your car. The frame and parts inside the vehicle will effectively change with every hit taken. Vehicles may misalign and parts will gradually start failing. Codemasters included a status update on the left of the screen to inform the player of the car’s ability. It comes in handy when the vehicle obviously cannot finish the race.
Codemasters included tons of vehicle types and models to peruse through. Regular rally cars, pick-up trucks, dune buggies, and even big rigs are included to test our skills behind the wheel. Big rig races were some of the most fun to play through. Attempting to slide a rig at 80 mph on a slippery dirt road is beyond entertaining. I didn’t care for the loose feel of the trucks though. Jumping small hills during career mode often sent my truck flying off the track. The amount of money that’s required for purchasing all of the cars is overwhelming, but do-able if career mode is finished. Players can also purchase liveries to change the appearance of their vehicles, only pre-made designs though.
Multiplayer over Xbox Live is odd to say the least. The menu system and searching mechanic leaves much to be desired. Tracks seem to be chosen at random, even if you are the host. Also, the timing between races is strangely set in stone. Players cannot pause the countdown to go grab a drink. When the race loads, it’s basically a single player view without other cars. Races are won by beating other times on the track. It’s almost the anti-thesis of a racing game. On the plus side, lag is pretty much non-existent.
The achievements in DiRT aren’t necessarily difficult, but they are extremely time consuming. The majority of the 49 achievements are geared toward completion of the career mode. With a few multiplayer achievements tossed in the mix, players will have to spend hours upon hours to complete the entire set. Unfortunately, they always feel overly daunting to achieve rather than complimentary to the experience. Casual players spending limited amount of time with the game won’t be able to accomplish much concerning achievements.
Graphics
The first aspect of the visuals that caught my eye was the real-time damage model. Working in tandem with the car’s structure and engine, the damage model send bumpers flying, smashes glass windows, and mangles the frame every time the player sends the car into a nearby obstacle. The physics engine takes some acclimation time to their loose feel, but it’s quite rewarding when learned properly. It is apparent Codemasters painstakingly tweaked the physics to offer an extremely entertaining experience for video game rally racers. The camera angles, during and after a race, capture the essence of rally racing. Rarely do I ever watch replays, but I caught myself watching a few during my career playtime. I should mention the framerate occasionally takes a hit during the multi-car races, but it doesn’t hamper gameplay a great deal.
Audio
The voice work in DiRT is top notch, specifically the accuracy and timing for calling out upcoming curves. While the player flies through the course, instructions are sent from the navigator. They also offer quick quips before and after each race. It’s rare to see a racing game with entertaining voiceovers, but DiRT accomplishes this feat. The sound effects are on point as well. Various vehicle engines whine at different pitches, gravel rattles as your car slips around a turn, and bodywork crunches viscerally when slamming into a tree.
Overall
Is DiRT worth a purchase? If off-road, dirt racing is your cup of tea, then it’s most definitely worth the MSRP. The extensive single player career mode will have you playing for weeks on end. Unfortunately, the multiplayer design flaws hurts the replay value after the single player is completed. Additionally, players preferring a street racing experience may not enjoy the title as much due to the loose physics and would be better off sticking to Forza 2.
Gameplay
DiRT offers several game modes for the player to try out. The bulk of the game is centered around the career mode though. Career mode starts the plays with a small amount of money and allows them to work there way up a tiered pyramid filled with rally, hill-climb, rally-cross, and crossover races. Each race has five difficulties to choose from, varying in dollar awards for completion. If you complete a low level, you have the option of coming back later to win larger prizes on the tougher difficulties.
Modifying the difficulty raises the competitive level of the A.I., but it also increases the penalty for driving incorrectly. Flying off the track just once on a high difficulty level can completely mangle your car. The frame and parts inside the vehicle will effectively change with every hit taken. Vehicles may misalign and parts will gradually start failing. Codemasters included a status update on the left of the screen to inform the player of the car’s ability. It comes in handy when the vehicle obviously cannot finish the race.
Codemasters included tons of vehicle types and models to peruse through. Regular rally cars, pick-up trucks, dune buggies, and even big rigs are included to test our skills behind the wheel. Big rig races were some of the most fun to play through. Attempting to slide a rig at 80 mph on a slippery dirt road is beyond entertaining. I didn’t care for the loose feel of the trucks though. Jumping small hills during career mode often sent my truck flying off the track. The amount of money that’s required for purchasing all of the cars is overwhelming, but do-able if career mode is finished. Players can also purchase liveries to change the appearance of their vehicles, only pre-made designs though.
Multiplayer over Xbox Live is odd to say the least. The menu system and searching mechanic leaves much to be desired. Tracks seem to be chosen at random, even if you are the host. Also, the timing between races is strangely set in stone. Players cannot pause the countdown to go grab a drink. When the race loads, it’s basically a single player view without other cars. Races are won by beating other times on the track. It’s almost the anti-thesis of a racing game. On the plus side, lag is pretty much non-existent.
The achievements in DiRT aren’t necessarily difficult, but they are extremely time consuming. The majority of the 49 achievements are geared toward completion of the career mode. With a few multiplayer achievements tossed in the mix, players will have to spend hours upon hours to complete the entire set. Unfortunately, they always feel overly daunting to achieve rather than complimentary to the experience. Casual players spending limited amount of time with the game won’t be able to accomplish much concerning achievements.
Graphics
The first aspect of the visuals that caught my eye was the real-time damage model. Working in tandem with the car’s structure and engine, the damage model send bumpers flying, smashes glass windows, and mangles the frame every time the player sends the car into a nearby obstacle. The physics engine takes some acclimation time to their loose feel, but it’s quite rewarding when learned properly. It is apparent Codemasters painstakingly tweaked the physics to offer an extremely entertaining experience for video game rally racers. The camera angles, during and after a race, capture the essence of rally racing. Rarely do I ever watch replays, but I caught myself watching a few during my career playtime. I should mention the framerate occasionally takes a hit during the multi-car races, but it doesn’t hamper gameplay a great deal.
Audio
The voice work in DiRT is top notch, specifically the accuracy and timing for calling out upcoming curves. While the player flies through the course, instructions are sent from the navigator. They also offer quick quips before and after each race. It’s rare to see a racing game with entertaining voiceovers, but DiRT accomplishes this feat. The sound effects are on point as well. Various vehicle engines whine at different pitches, gravel rattles as your car slips around a turn, and bodywork crunches viscerally when slamming into a tree.
Overall
Is DiRT worth a purchase? If off-road, dirt racing is your cup of tea, then it’s most definitely worth the MSRP. The extensive single player career mode will have you playing for weeks on end. Unfortunately, the multiplayer design flaws hurts the replay value after the single player is completed. Additionally, players preferring a street racing experience may not enjoy the title as much due to the loose physics and would be better off sticking to Forza 2.