Old School Rally

Old School Rally succeeds in its goal: it does not aim to replace modern hyper-realistic simulators, but to bring back that mix of fast, reactive, and frenetic driving wrapped in an irresistible graphic package reminiscent of arcades and afternoons spent in front of a CRT television. It proves that sometimes, to make a big step forward, all you need is to take a step back. This could be your next arcade game, provided you have thoroughly mastered Parking Garage Rally Circuit.

In summary, Old School Rally is quite an enjoyable title. It has an impressive visual design which manages to perfectly evoke nostalgia, and has a solid gameplay loop. There is a need for some more depth to make the game more rewarding, but when you consider the modest asking price, it becomes a hard deal to argue with. The only hope is that developer Frozen Lake Games will address some of the technical issues which prevent full access from certain parts of the game. Either way, this is a title that I really appreciate and feel that it could serve as a model for other titles trying to emulate the style of the original PlayStation’s visual presentation.

Old School Rally delivers an authentic, arcade-style retro rally experience, perfectly emulating 90s classics with direct controls and distinct vehicle handling across ample content. However, its progression feels uninspired, and menu presentation, translation, and musical score exhibit a notable lack of polish, detracting from an otherwise nostalgic journey.

That's pretty much it; a simple, arcadey rally racer with fun stages, recognisable cars, and a great aesthetic. Hopefully the iffy default handling doesn't deter people, because there's plenty of fun to be had once you find the right balance.