Dakar 18

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 9 out of 25
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  1. FT2000
    Oct 4, 2018
    7
    At about 3hrs into the game, I'm still enjoying it.

    It doesn't look great, the physics are questionable and it's a bit niche, but I'm still enjoying it. The main complaint that I have is that if halfway through a long stage you trash your vehicle, you can restart from the most recent populated checkpoint, but your vehicle is still wrecked, so there's no point restarting like that    At about 3hrs into the game, I'm still enjoying it.

    It doesn't look great, the physics are questionable and it's a bit niche, but I'm still enjoying it. The main complaint that I have is that if halfway through a long stage you trash your vehicle, you can restart from the most recent populated checkpoint, but your vehicle is still wrecked, so there's no point restarting like that really.

    Also, as far as I can tell, there's no way to switch vehicle mid playthrough, so if you're halfway through the campaign and fancy switching to the truck, you'd have to do all the previous courses before getting to the one you've currently reached. I guess it's supposed to create the idea that your driver is one of a specific discipline, but it's kind of limiting in enjoyment that way.

    I'm not into rally or Dakar, I do really like driving games when they're a bit more long form. The Crew, The Crew 2 and Fuel (remember that?!) are all favourites for me, and if you enjoyed those, you might enjoy this.

    The Route Book idea has a bit of a learning curve, but is easy to use after a bit. The actual driving I think is fun, there are very long stages and you have to be on your toes to avoid wrecking after making an epic jump or clipping a rock. The co-driver is quite shouty and will probably get irritating after a while but he's ok for the time being.

    I would have given it a much higher score, only the price at the moment on the PSN is totally bonkers.    … Expand
  2. TheDahaka
    Oct 15, 2018
    1
    This is a rushed, buggy and ultimately unpolished product. At first glance the initial presentation and visuals may lead you to believe this is a polished AA or even AAA game, but once you start playing you’ll see it is not

    The vehicle handling is servicable, but can be very glitchy and at its worst the physics even resemble goat simulator. I can literally exit the vehicle on foot, let    This is a rushed, buggy and ultimately unpolished product. At first glance the initial presentation and visuals may lead you to believe this is a polished AA or even AAA game, but once you start playing you’ll see it is not

    The vehicle handling is servicable, but can be very glitchy and at its worst the physics even resemble goat simulator. I can literally exit the vehicle on foot, let my driver take a run-off into the front of the car and knock it like a bowling pin - the game can be that bad!

    There are lots of amatuer oversights throughout the game such as a camera inversion option that only affects vehicles and not your onfoot driver, which can be very disorienting.

    The game overall lacks polish. There are all sorts of collision detection bugs, clipping issues and bad animations that simply should not be in a game in this price-range. This game was released before it was ready.

    I could live with many flaws if the fundamental gameplay were solid. I never expected the production values of a big publisher game, but what I did expect was excellent polished vehicle handling and good physics. In a driving/navigation game this element is essential and unfortunately the thing that lets this game down most.

    My advice is to either wait until the game’s major issues are fixed - not sure if this will ever happen - or if you must, wait for a dramatic price drop.    … Expand
  3. Rijoloco
    Oct 2, 2018
    2
    luigi801, first i am not stupid, maybe you are only a very rich guy, and maybe you can't read english, and in those big issues i can not help you... sorry...
    Can you answer me? is it fair to pay a full price for a game like Dakar 18?
    Yes its true, its a new company, and we have to give them a chance, but its not paying a full price for a indie looked game. In fact i think if Dakar 18    luigi801, first i am not stupid, maybe you are only a very rich guy, and maybe you can't read english, and in those big issues i can not help you... sorry...
    Can you answer me? is it fair to pay a full price for a game like Dakar 18?
    Yes its true, its a new company, and we have to give them a chance, but its not paying a full price for a indie looked game.
    In fact i think if Dakar 18 was presented as a indie game or a lower priced game, maybe, we gamers give them a chance, instead that its a full priced game and a very low quality game.
    Sorry, its my opinion and if you want you get it has an advice, but you dont have to call anyone stupid when i am free to give my review.
    Maybe you are the stupid who pay for the game. sorry for that    … Expand
  4. luigi801
    Sep 29, 2018
    10
    If everyone was stupid as a user of Rijoloco there would be no games! Because all the big studios once started as small and therefore deserve support and even more so for a courageous step to the game of Dakar 18. Such a game was not 20 years old and as the first big game of this studio is the first part really great !! Of course, there is always something to improve, but the graphics areIf everyone was stupid as a user of Rijoloco there would be no games! Because all the big studios once started as small and therefore deserve support and even more so for a courageous step to the game of Dakar 18. Such a game was not 20 years old and as the first big game of this studio is the first part really great !! Of course, there is always something to improve, but the graphics are open to the super world and the gameplay is also good.Roadbook is great and nothing similar in the market is not !!… Expand
  5. Sergio791
    Sep 30, 2018
    9
    The guys from Bigmoon have ventured into the unknown and that's why they deserve our recognition. They are the first to have created a raid videogame, with an open world of virtually unrivaled dimensions and with a professional navigation system that follows the rules of the FIA and ACO. The ambitious project, nevertheless, needs to polish several edges that do not enjoy the splendor ofThe guys from Bigmoon have ventured into the unknown and that's why they deserve our recognition. They are the first to have created a raid videogame, with an open world of virtually unrivaled dimensions and with a professional navigation system that follows the rules of the FIA and ACO. The ambitious project, nevertheless, needs to polish several edges that do not enjoy the splendor of the landscapes and the challenge of navigation: steering wheel compatibility, vehicle physics and some naughty textures.… Expand
  6. cjr3559
    Mar 9, 2019
    7
    This game is not for everyone. You have to have an open mind and patience for which is mostly uncommon in gamers. If you’re looking for a crash and burn racer, bump and pass competition, and/or details you can inspect under a microscope down to the last rivet, then Gran Turismo Sport, Forza, and Horizon are waiting for you. This game is not perfect but the developers have a passion forThis game is not for everyone. You have to have an open mind and patience for which is mostly uncommon in gamers. If you’re looking for a crash and burn racer, bump and pass competition, and/or details you can inspect under a microscope down to the last rivet, then Gran Turismo Sport, Forza, and Horizon are waiting for you. This game is not perfect but the developers have a passion for what they do and it shows.… Expand
  7. Ardho
    Oct 17, 2021
    7
    I like the concept, the first time I played the Dakar game and the 1 hour marathon, but after reaching stage 11 I was really bored and couldn't continue, I hope the next game will be much better
  8. DieuD
    Oct 15, 2021
    1
    My Husband and I got the game so we can play it together. Although this is a really good game there is A LOT of glitches. For example every time I accidentally bump into a small wood pole or a tree the car get stuck so bad that you cannot get out, and there is no penalty or withdrawal you stay stuck forever and have to quit the game and start all over again. Another glitch happens when weMy Husband and I got the game so we can play it together. Although this is a really good game there is A LOT of glitches. For example every time I accidentally bump into a small wood pole or a tree the car get stuck so bad that you cannot get out, and there is no penalty or withdrawal you stay stuck forever and have to quit the game and start all over again. Another glitch happens when we play on very long tracks, the entire game shuts down and you loose everything from the track you were busy with.… Expand
  9. naki_biga
    Jan 20, 2022
    9
    Very fun and broad game to experience what Rally Raid is about! Graphics are nice, the open world is huge, and the navigation and endurance part of these kind of rallies is very well made. It is definitely a niche game, but if you enjoy raids, Pari-Dakar, navigation, challenges, and off-road, you'll like it.

    I love the game, it is amusing. Although the physics are mid-way between arcade    Very fun and broad game to experience what Rally Raid is about! Graphics are nice, the open world is huge, and the navigation and endurance part of these kind of rallies is very well made. It is definitely a niche game, but if you enjoy raids, Pari-Dakar, navigation, challenges, and off-road, you'll like it.

    I love the game, it is amusing. Although the physics are mid-way between arcade and sim, the atmosphere and competition is so well made that you forget about it. The last patch from late 2019 fixed all the issues, and the wheel and FFB works pretty well.

    I recommend it, but don't look for a race and crash game, this is not a Burnout, Fuel or The Crew. This is proper rally raid, and it is challenging.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 6, 2019
    65
    In front of us we now have first Dakar rally game in 15 years, and since we waited so long for it, we have mixed feelings and thoughts about it. Yes, we are grateful that somebody took it upon themselves to develop a game based on the most famous and grueling rally in the world, and we can see the effort that went into it, and small things that show the uniqueness of the rally, but on the other hand, it`s hard for a smaller company to make a great game for a rally of this scale, and it is really visible.
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  2. LaPS4
    Nov 18, 2018
    55
    Dakar 18 is a rally game that promised loads of fun for those driving simulator’s fans, anyway, It ended up being a heap of bugs, good intentions with a bad execution, horrible co pilot mechanic and a gameplay that is not in the level where our expectations were before the game was released.
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  3. Impulsegamer
    Nov 5, 2018
    40
    To sum it all up, I recommend Dakar 18 for the hardcore racing fans that are up for a challenge, rather than someone trying to have some casual fun. The visual aspects are great within a 10m radius especially the vehicles but further out into the distance it becomes horrendous. The gameplay is almost impossible to master due to the inconsistent vehicle handling, which causes you to veer off the straights and completely miss corners. With little to no navigation help beyond the beginner level, it really is a difficult game to play. Unfortunately, this all makes Dakar 18 a bit of a let-down.
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