Codemasters is renowned for quality racing titles and its latest entry, DiRT 2, looks to be no exception to the roster. I had a chance to check out the demo for the Xbox 360 and here are my impressions upon playing the game.
Menu screens are always a tedious chore to navigate through. However, it’s certainly not evident in DiRT 2. Your RV trailer serves as central hub of the game. The interface has been streamlined to accommodate the extreme sports atmosphere that the game has shifted towards. It is reflected in the blatant advertising of DC Shoes and Monster Energy who sponsor drivers such as Ken Block. Also included in this extreme venture is a trash talking mechanic where racers will say things to unnerve you when driving. As a result, I finish in first place while the rest are absorbed in their unnecessary banter. Aside from my aversion towards corporate sponsorship, navigating through the options and game modes was simple and without clutter.
DiRT 2 delivers visually pleasing high resolution detail to the various locales and environments in addition to its cars. Its picturesque quality borders on unrealistic at times; this is not Gran Turismo of course. The cars themselves feel intuitive to play but come with a learning curve. A good rally racer drives with precision and drifts easy at turns. Timing is important as one split second decision determines whether you stay with the pack or trail into last place. Despite this, DiRT 2 offers forgiveness through a feature ripped from GRID, Codemasters’ street racer. The flashback system allows you to rewind time, ala Prince of Persia, pinpoint a moment and rectify your grave mistake. After completing a race, you will be rewarded with experience points which help you level up and unlock goodies. I always wanted fuzzy dices in the interior of my fictitious car.
Rally racing purists won’t be too happy to see that time trials are only one-fifth in the final game but in its place are a lineup of rally inspired events. Trailblazer takes players to off-road locations such as Morocco where players battle the rough terrain and harsh desert environment to emerge with the fastest lap time. Stadium King Shootout involves driving laps around an arena with the intent to be first at the finish line. All these modes are rather arbitrary if you only like to engage in time trial rally racing but is a welcome addition for enthusiasts of the racing genre.
DiRT 2 is a well polished title boasting sleek presentation and visuals, my time with the game was brief but offered me with a good idea on where its direction was headed. It is well worth a recommendation for gamers interested in finding a middle ground between their Gran Turismo’s and Motorstorm’s. Fans of the DiRT series will have already bought the game.
DiRT 2 is slated for release on September 8 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, DS, and PSP. We hope our preview has provided you with the tipping point for your purchases.
