DiRT Rally 2.0

Quotation forthcoming.

DiRT Rally 2.0 does nothing but improve the reputation of the purest, modern rally series out there.

Builds on what's good about its unapologetically hardcore predecessor and adds a full-featured Rallycross career mode for those who prefer to trade paint in their racing.

Codemasters has succeeded in perfecting an already spectacular driving model, making it more reactive and enjoyable, launching DiRT Rally 2.0 towards the throne of the best rally game ever. Launching, at day one, without events on the snow, the title is missing a fundamental piece. Apart from that, this is now the most refined rally simulator on the market.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is a worthy successor to DiRT Rally. The driving/car physics which feel as sophisticated as anything else out there, are only slightly hindered by mediocre force feedback. The tracks and surrounding countryside are gorgeous in their own right; the environmental lighting and shadows serve to make them stunning at times. The addition of Rallycross serves to make DiRT Rally 2.0 two great simulations in one package.

Codemasters did not want to cut anyone out and wanted to address the widest possible audience, while not yielding to the lures of arcade-simulation hybridization.

Simply the best rally sim around, building on its predecessor’s already fine foundations.

Before you buy Dirt Rally 2.0, ask yourself: do you have the faith to conquer this tough game? If not, this game might not suit you. It's only prepared for those who love challenges.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is still the benchmark in terms of rallying simulation, but we regret that Codemasters has made the choice to sell as DLC content that was previously available in the first iteration of the game.

Despite a bare-bones multiplayer, DiRT Rally 2.0 is for hard-core enthusiasts of the sport. It is an unforgiving simulator that delivers a racing experience that, though highly difficult to master, is satisfying and requires utmost concentration and engagement.

It could be improved in terms of content, but no other rally sim gives you driving physics as sophisticated, challenging and simply great as Dirt Rally 2.0!

Dirt Rally 2.0 feels like the next gear in the gearbox that is the Dirt saga in the recent years.

DiRT Rally 2.0 brings some great and challenging driving feelings in spite of a too clasic career mode and a graphics engine that sometimes feels a bit old.

Dirt Rally 2.0 is as tricky to tame as its predecessor but doing so is as satisfying as ever.

DiRT Rally 2.0 far surpasses other rally titles and other games that feature, though don't specialise in rallying. With an extensively detailed roster of cars, where each of them feels, handles and reacts differently, on tracks that actively degrade through constant use, changing the lines you'll have to take, this is a game that will keep you thinking. Best of all, unlike its prequel (to an extent) and other racing sims, it's accessible thanks to a bevy of assists that you can change to suit your needs. A game that only features a few downsides, the primary one being a shallow career mode and some minor bugs here and there. All things considered, DiRT Rally 2.0 is the premier rally experience you could hope to have.

If you like rallies, you will love this game. Its modes are not very elaborate, but the driving experience is fantastic.

An improvement in all aspects, but above all a great ride to test your skills. Just a pity for those business shenanigans that make the content lag behind the form by more than just a few milliseconds. [Issue#294]

The overall rating of Dirt Rally 2.0 is still positive considering the contents and modalities, even if we would have liked a couple more rallies and fewer Rallycross circuits.

Dirt Rally 2.0 will not become a cult hit like Colin McRae Rally 2.0 did. Still, if you’re tired of the original Dirt Rally, don't miss this sequel — decent rally simulators are a very rare breed these days.

As often is the case with Codemasters, Dirt Rally 2.0 failed to properly build upon the success of its predecessor. Even if we disregard the blatant DLC-milking, there’s still the issue of quirky physics and poor sound effects. [Issue#237, p.42]