Review from Ign.com
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1021183p1.html
DiRT 2 UK Review
Mud, sweat and gears.
by
Martin Robinson, IGN UK
UK, September 3, 2009 - It sets out its stall early on, opening with a raucous rally-cross race through a deserted Battersea Power Station under some rare London sun, with the drivers – Ken Block, Dave Mirra and a host of real-life names from America's X Game series – all chiding each other to the soundtrack of spluttering exhausts and sparkling indie-rock. Anyone who balked at the US twang the Colin McRae series picked up in the first DiRT will be initially appalled at the sequel's open-armed embrace of the extreme end of off-road motorsport, but it's hard to stay narked for too long – DiRT 2 takes the template of the original and polishes it to within an inch of its life, resulting in one of the most downright exciting driving games in many a year.
Click through to see the exclusive launch trailer.
The X Games forms a loose framework for the game's world tour which drinks in nearly every facet of off-road racing and spits out a hyper-charged version of its real-world inspiration. Raids take in the humid jungles of Malaysia and the deserts of Baja, rally-cross events play out in front of packed stadiums in LA and London and onto the streets of Tokyo while Trailblazers send players solo across the plains of Morocco and China, and for the traditionalists there's still a hearty slice of old-school rally action in the mix – and they're all portrayed through a hyperactive filter. Like
Codemasters' previous racing games, variety is key – but in DiRT 2 there's a newfound level of cohesion across the numerous disciplines on display.
Tying the game together is another of the studios' lavishly-produced menu systems, this time framed within and around the player's globe-trotting RV. Inside the authentically grotty vehicle – a discarded pair of overalls is slung across a sofa, while clouds of dust hang tangibly in the air – maps, magazines and posters act as portals for the game's many activities. Outside, the player's vehicle sits waiting under an awning, with spectators milling around while indie rock plays somewhere in the middle distance. It's a good job the menus are so visually appealing as a large part of game time will be spent navigating the virtual RV and its surroundings - after our first three hours spent with DiRT 2, it was a little disconcerting to be told that we'd only spend some fifty minutes of that behind the wheel.
Water's now a track surface in its own right, slowing cars and splashing realistically across the in-car windscreen.
Thankfully, the driving is well worth sticking around for. Underneath the game's handsome excess is a handling model that's both refined and rewarding, helping dispel fears that after the loose feel of DiRT and GRID that Codemasters had lost its touch with driving games. Worried it's too casual? Take an over-powered trailblazer car on a point to point tour of Morocco or Utah and you'll soon change your tune. This is driving without a safety net – the co-driver that accompanies the player on normal rally events is nowhere to be seen, perhaps sensibly scarpering when he looked at what exactly they put under the bonnet of these brutal machines. It's thus driving on instinct alone, with the open vistas encouraging a heavy throttle foot while that cliff edge that's fast approaching on the horizon suggests you exercise a little more care.
Pleasingly, the tweaked handling model manifests itself across the game's spectrum of vehicles, be it a tailored rally machine or a hulking raid car. There's a sense of weight and connection throughout each of the cars, and the transition between road surfaces is fed back brilliantly to the player. It makes for immensely enjoyable driving; kick the back end of a car out around a hairpin and you can feel the loose gravel slipping under the tires as you control the slide with the throttle – speed from gravel to tarmac and the change in grip levels is instantly perceptible. Get it wrong and find yourself heading face-first for the scenery and the rewind button, a feature that debuted in last year's GRID and one that feels like it's found it perfect home in the rough and tumble world of off-road racing.
Rallycross races are frenetic and frequently violent.
All this is wrapped up in a game overflowing with visual riches. The atmosphere introduced by the menu system extends to the moments behind the wheel, and the events themselves are injected with a bombastic sense of occasion. It's most explicit in the flagship events in London and LA, with crowds surrounding the action and bunting fluttering in the wind while jumps are met with cheers and a booming flash of fireworks. More remote environments are equally impressive, be that the trek through China that takes place under a thin veil of mountain mist or the arid expanse of Morocco and the small towns the track threads through.
But, once more, it's the damage model that shines the strongest, with
Codemasters' yet again proving the masters of crumple zones and battered metal work. The car models themselves are handsome enough in their pristine state, but there's no denying they're a smite more remarkable when put through the blender of some over-the-edge driving. Doors hang from their hinges, bodywork decays and dirties convincingly after punishment and cars roll and tumble with authentic force. It all feeds into the intimacy of some of the racing, making for some spectacular moments; be that seeing a car ahead mistime a jump and propel itself into a series of barrel rolls, only to miss your own car by a matter of inches or dragging a battle-scarred car that's close to submission across the finishing line.
The hustle of close quarter off-road racing translates well to the online multiplayer, and here DiRT 2 lives up to its name, at least in regards to the low-down tactics it inspires. Without the rewind feature to hand, it's all too easy to be tagged into a spin and find yourself with an unassailable gap to make up. It's excessively unruly fun, but can prove equally infuriating. Thankfully traditional modes such as rally and trailblazer enable more serious-minded online competition, and throughout each of the options the code proves reliably solid with little in the way of lag or frame-rate drops.
Point to point events now have staggered starts, so it's possible you'll encounter another car on your run.
While the multiplayer is sturdy if unspectacular, the single-player structure proves more gripping than the majority of other games in the genre. GRID proved that racing games could be compelling without resorting to the grinding that wears down the likes of Gran Turismo and Forza, and DiRT 2 pulls off the same trick in a slightly different way. XP points are doled out not only for success but also for mini achievement-esque tasks – be that drifting for a set distance, grabbing a certain amount of air or destroying an appointed amount of the scenery. It's a device that feeds well into the extreme sports nature of the title, and levelling up unlocks more of the game – with the climax coming in a trio of X Games dotted around the globe.
Closing Comments
DiRT 2’s got character – admittedly it’s one that’s over loud and a little obnoxious – but, as an antidote to the buttoned down brigade of driving games that are on the horizon, it’s more than welcome. Even those who might sniff at the game’s focus on the extreme end of off-road motorsport will find it hard to scoff at its rewarding handling model, its sense of atmosphere and its sumptuous visuals, all of which help make it a highlight of the Colin McRae series.
IGN UK Ratings for Dirt 2 (X360)
RatingDescription
http://uk.ign.com/demoroom.htmlout of 10
9.0
Presentation
It's innovative front-end is a banner feature, and rightfully so - but there's an inordinate amount of time spent looking at it.
9.5
Graphics
DiRT 2's strongest suit, dare we say they're the measure of GT5 and Forza 3, and they bristle with life.
9.0
Sound
Sounds of gravel and engine notes are as good as you'd expect. The guitar led soundtrack might not be to everyone's taste, but it certainly fits.
9.0
Gameplay
Any handling deficiencies from last time out have been fixed, and fixed with style.
8.5
Lasting Appeal
Online is fun if limited, so good job the single-player offers a lasting proposition.
9.0
OutstandingOVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)