Mixed feelings about multiplayer
The cars boast accurate scratch modelling, mud splattering effects and the game has an all-embracing car damage system that never fails to impress. The sense of speed in first person mode is exhilarating and the visual spectacle of the way in which vehicles twist, turn and fly through the air is akin to watching the rally version of The Royal Ballet. The handling of the cars is still as fluid and stable as ever as I raced across the rough terrain, but the realism of the whole race experience has been pushed that extra bit further, thrusting you even further into the mindset of these dare-devil racers. The highest praise I could possibly give to a racing game is that whilst driving it often feels as though you are sitting in the driver’s seat, feeling every bump and twist in the road, flinching when you smash into a barrier and gritting your teeth as you handbrake around a sharp bend. Colin McRae: Dirt gets the driving part of the game spot on.
Of course, being a Colin McRae game, we’ll also have full control over replays with multiple camera angles to switch in between, including an on-board and in car camera, and the option to slow down the action to make the most of the spectacular crashes.
Click for larger imageI didn't get to try the game out against other AI racers, but instead played multiplayer mode against 9 other drivers, all competing for the best lap time. Now here's the bad news. Whenever I play a racing game I want to compete against other human drivers over Xbox live; Forza demonstrates perfectly how this should be done. However, Colin McRae: Dirt utilises a real-time online leader-board where up to 100 people can compete against each other for the best time. Now, though this does give you the added pressure of knowing that there are dozens of drivers out there trying to beat your best lap, it doesn't replace the feeling of actually jostling for position with your mates, therefore I just don't know how long I'd want to play online after I'd completed the single player campaign.
Click for larger imageThere were mixed feelings amongst the press at the Codemaster's event. Some thought it was still an exciting, tense and exhilarating ride being able to see where you were in the online leader-board, watching your position on the track in the top right corner of the screen change second by second, ultimately pushing you to drive harder. Plus, the fact that no-one is actually on your track should mean that the best drivers will be the ones who rise up the leader-boards, rather than those who spoil the race by bumping people of the tracks. On the other hand, other members of the press thought multi-player was a bit dull; not because the actually driving was devoid of excitement, but merely because they were racing alone. I lie in the middle somewhere. I can't deny that it was still an exciting ride, because the cars handle so impeccably and the locations and tracks are a joy to drive around, but I'd still rather enjoy the experience with half a dozen mates, jeering at them if I manage to overtake. As it stands we'll only be able to select one person within that race to speak to whilst we're driving around the race circuit. Despite there being 100 people online at one time, I sense that Colin McRae: Dirt multiplayer may feel like a solo experience.