User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 10 out of 139
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  1. Apr 13, 2012
    9
    Picked this up at a 2 for 40 sale and loved every minute of it, while it's presence has changed since the first game, it still shows class and presteige and pays tribute Colin McRae themselves. The cars handle suburb and the soundtrack is excellent. The voice acting gets a little grating at the start of the game but you'll quickly soon to love Ken Block and Travis Pastrana talking to you.Picked this up at a 2 for 40 sale and loved every minute of it, while it's presence has changed since the first game, it still shows class and presteige and pays tribute Colin McRae themselves. The cars handle suburb and the soundtrack is excellent. The voice acting gets a little grating at the start of the game but you'll quickly soon to love Ken Block and Travis Pastrana talking to you. Though Dirt 3 is out at the moment, this is still an excellent rally game and an Incredible racing game. Expand
  2. ampgreen
    Oct 18, 2009
    10
    best off-road racer ever. excellent graphics, excellent mix of sim/arcade style. Compelling fun, keeps you wanting to see the next near photorealistic course. The joystick control is well tuned and allows for more precise control and feel than in Grid or most any other racers. Beautiful replays. The sense of speed is awesome. The special effects are really among the best ever done, best off-road racer ever. excellent graphics, excellent mix of sim/arcade style. Compelling fun, keeps you wanting to see the next near photorealistic course. The joystick control is well tuned and allows for more precise control and feel than in Grid or most any other racers. Beautiful replays. The sense of speed is awesome. The special effects are really among the best ever done, especially the mud and water splashes on your windshield, which realistically blinds your vision for a moment and makes the racing more suspenseful. Easily among the two or three best racing games I have ever played overall. Expand
  3. pokefreakspokefreaks
    Oct 30, 2009
    9
    Really amazing game. I haven't play any racing games for a while. But this game's level design and the environments are so unique and great. The gameplay is based on a level system. You can unlock new levels and cars by leveling up. Since the game also give you experience points by your position you don't need to worry even if you place 2nd or 8th place. Getting 1st place Really amazing game. I haven't play any racing games for a while. But this game's level design and the environments are so unique and great. The gameplay is based on a level system. You can unlock new levels and cars by leveling up. Since the game also give you experience points by your position you don't need to worry even if you place 2nd or 8th place. Getting 1st place still gives you the maximum exp. point though. But the game is all about enjoying the races instead of making you worry whether you can place first or not. Recommend this to anyone who likes good graphics, gameplay, level design and seeking for fun experience. Expand
  4. ThomasD
    Oct 14, 2009
    9
    It is hard to find a game as polished as the newest installment in the Colin McRae series. Even watching a replay becomes an event with fluidly adjustable playback speed from super slowmotion to ultra fast without any hickups. The graphics are very detailed with a realistic color palette for each of the stages, while still providing some wow-effects in sun flares and pyro effects. Physics It is hard to find a game as polished as the newest installment in the Colin McRae series. Even watching a replay becomes an event with fluidly adjustable playback speed from super slowmotion to ultra fast without any hickups. The graphics are very detailed with a realistic color palette for each of the stages, while still providing some wow-effects in sun flares and pyro effects. Physics aren't any less detailed with a great feel for the car's weight and grip. Braking and drifting through corners feels much more natural than in the original Dirt (one of it's main drawbacks). Content-wise there are plenty of countries you can race in, but just a few more tracks for each environment would have been great. Classic rally modes come a little short (the longest rally event i've driven so far was two stages). In all other aspects, the game is truly great. This is the definitive offroad racing game to date, and with a few more novelties from Dirt and slightly more tracks it would be a perfect 10! Expand
  5. connorb
    Sep 8, 2009
    9
    Great, grand, wonderful.
  6. JohnC
    Nov 30, 2009
    10
    One of the best, if not the best racer ive played, having played almost every nfs, gtr, moto gp game. The interaction between the vehicle and the terrain has never been done so well before in a game. Going from dirt to a paved road and feeling the change in grip is quite the experience.
  7. musicmaniac1965
    Sep 12, 2009
    10
    This game is a true gem, and a big honor to the legacy of the grandmaster collin mcrae himself. it just shows how much the designers/gamecreators respected the rally driver, and payed his respects by giving us this wonderful game. not only does the graphics explode from your screen, with lovely lighting effects, seemingly realtime reflections in the car (even the people at the side you This game is a true gem, and a big honor to the legacy of the grandmaster collin mcrae himself. it just shows how much the designers/gamecreators respected the rally driver, and payed his respects by giving us this wonderful game. not only does the graphics explode from your screen, with lovely lighting effects, seemingly realtime reflections in the car (even the people at the side you see moving in the reflection), and so far, i have jet to find pop up, even while you can look just so far away in the distance. the controls have also been given a overhaul, as now the brake is not so ridiculous good as it was in part one, and the drifting and counterstearing the drift just feels smooth and right. heavy cars respond slower, and every car has it's own ups and downs. the game is big, and i loved every minute of it. i am not done yet, but are rather far in the game. you like racing in sand ? this is just the only place to be. Expand
  8. JamesW
    Sep 15, 2009
    10
    This is truly one of the greatest racing games to grace the PS3 and Xbox 360 to date. Codemasters really knocked one out of the park with this game. Dirt 2 is the perfect combination of fun and intensity. The online multiplayer is smooth as well. Having the option to team up with others is also a great. This game is a masterpiece and is one of the greatest tributes to Colin Mcrae...in the This is truly one of the greatest racing games to grace the PS3 and Xbox 360 to date. Codemasters really knocked one out of the park with this game. Dirt 2 is the perfect combination of fun and intensity. The online multiplayer is smooth as well. Having the option to team up with others is also a great. This game is a masterpiece and is one of the greatest tributes to Colin Mcrae...in the words of the legend himself "When in doubt, flat out." Expand
  9. DrewM
    Sep 9, 2009
    9
    This game is just plain fun. The amount (and variation) of content is almost overwhelming. Not only does this game make off-road racing extremely entertaining, it does it while oozing with style. If you have even an inkling of an interest for a racing game then this, definitely, is the one to try.
  10. R.H.
    Sep 11, 2009
    9
    I'm having so much fun with this game right now! The controls are tight and the races are exciting thanks to a pretty great physics engine. The vehicles feel heavy and responsive, yet you must always focus on what kind of terrain you're on and the geography of the track, or else you'll easily spin right off the path. I do agree with the complaint that there should have been I'm having so much fun with this game right now! The controls are tight and the races are exciting thanks to a pretty great physics engine. The vehicles feel heavy and responsive, yet you must always focus on what kind of terrain you're on and the geography of the track, or else you'll easily spin right off the path. I do agree with the complaint that there should have been more pure rally races, but it's one of only a handful of small annoyances, which are all ultimately overshadowed by the truly spectacular graphics, stylish and inspired interface, and great soundtrack. Also, the Flashback feature is well-implemented and makes playing the game for long stretches even more fun, because you don't have to always restart a race if you lose focus for a second. This is my favorite racing game since Burnout Paradise! Expand
  11. AnonymousMC
    Sep 14, 2009
    9
    I have no idea what Boomtown is talking about above. There is quite a bit of content in this game. And, to rate a game down because it doesn't have as much content as you would like in it is no reason to give it a lower score. Like I said though, this game has plenty of variety as compared to something like Excite Truck, which is still a lot of fun.
  12. Aug 3, 2011
    9
    I usually don't like car video games but when I first saw Dirt 2 I immediately said " I have to buy it NOW " and I bought it ! No regret I spent 30 dollars but I can say that it's the best car video game now - I love it and all is wonderful about it I mean graphics sound details and game play ... so run to buy it NOW !!!
  13. Sep 28, 2011
    8
    Great multiplayer. Really well designed. Balanced. No customisation or upgrading, and the tuning is very pointless since it doesn't make a huge difference to how the car feels to drive. You do get **** view, but it's actually more fun in third person. This game isn't like Motorstorm where there's no track, no skill in driving and fake vehicles. It's real cars, real places, real rallyGreat multiplayer. Really well designed. Balanced. No customisation or upgrading, and the tuning is very pointless since it doesn't make a huge difference to how the car feels to drive. You do get **** view, but it's actually more fun in third person. This game isn't like Motorstorm where there's no track, no skill in driving and fake vehicles. It's real cars, real places, real rally drivers and lots of events in single player. Unlike Forza, the events don't feel like a chore to run through because there's not a huge amount. Nor are there long events. It's of the right length and endless more fun online. Must try if you like racing games. Expand
  14. Mar 8, 2013
    10
    I first played it on PC (steam version) for more than 20 hours, and recently I got this Xbox 360 version. It is amazing that it is still a very good looking game on Xbox 360 console, very comparable to the graphics of PC version (mid to low setting of course, not comparable to high settings). The control is also very comfortble, and I think it is set differently from PC version. Because PCI first played it on PC (steam version) for more than 20 hours, and recently I got this Xbox 360 version. It is amazing that it is still a very good looking game on Xbox 360 console, very comparable to the graphics of PC version (mid to low setting of course, not comparable to high settings). The control is also very comfortble, and I think it is set differently from PC version. Because PC version also requires Game for Windows Live account to play, I actually use the same account for both PC and Xbox 360 version. Expand
  15. Aug 24, 2012
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dirt 2 is a beautifully crafted, high adrenaline pseudo-sim blast that can last for quite some time. Loved the soundtrack and the beautiful environments, and the cars look and feel great. The best part of this game though, is the incredible send-off to Colin Mcrae that it dedicates itself to. The final video as well as the unlockable special Mcrae series are awesome. There were a few downsides. One is that some of the race modes suck (gate crasher especially) and the game can get very repetative once you get deep. Also, where's the hour long (or more) multistage endurance race? Expand
  16. Jan 26, 2014
    9
    Codemasters really seemed to show their racing pedigree this generation and that's saying something as they have been at the heart of the genre for years with a games list as long as Pinocchio's nose when he's asked if he's been sniffing his mother's knickers. I really love how Codemasters have mastered the art of balls to the walls rallying with excitement, near misses and lots of speedCodemasters really seemed to show their racing pedigree this generation and that's saying something as they have been at the heart of the genre for years with a games list as long as Pinocchio's nose when he's asked if he's been sniffing his mother's knickers. I really love how Codemasters have mastered the art of balls to the walls rallying with excitement, near misses and lots of speed through beautifully designed countryside terrain, the gameplay is just phenomenal and is really fun to try and master a course. You know when a driving game is good when you don't get bored of replaying the same level over and over and Dirt 2 is one of those games. The game fails on top marks by steering away from rallying and generally being Americanised, I would have loved to play the old PS1/2 Colin McRae games with this game engine and graphics, the other problem is on disc DLC, which is a big no no but I will take that out on Dirt 3. Overall a must own for the 360. Expand
  17. Sep 24, 2016
    8
    Dirt 2 is a great game.

    The gameplay and race variety are great once again.The addition of a limited use flashback feature which would be used in the 3rd game really lessens the frustrations of the original.The game is on the short side however,clocking in at around 8 hours. The graphics are great,with a smooth framerate. Sound design is great with a decent soundtrack.The in-menu
    Dirt 2 is a great game.

    The gameplay and race variety are great once again.The addition of a limited use flashback feature which would be used in the 3rd game really lessens the frustrations of the original.The game is on the short side however,clocking in at around 8 hours.

    The graphics are great,with a smooth framerate.

    Sound design is great with a decent soundtrack.The in-menu announcer is back,but he isn't as annoying.

    Overall,Dirt 2 is a great rally racer that is definitely worth playing.
    Expand
  18. Jun 17, 2018
    10
    This game for my oponion is completely awesome this is like the second best game in the colin mcrae rally series first one being colin mcrae rally 2005 is really awesome
  19. Jun 19, 2021
    10
    WHAT A GAME ITS ONE OF MY FAV! THIS REPRESENT MY CHILHOOD, FREAKING LOVE THIS GAME, and for me DiRT 2 are more better than DiRT 3.
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 65
  2. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. 84
    Dirt 2 is prettier than its predecessor, has more varied tracks and a functional multiplayer offering. What it doesn’t have is a focus on pure time-trial rally races, which is really what I expect from a rally game.
  2. 90
    Even those who might sniff at the game’s focus on the extreme end of off-road motorsport will find it hard to scoff at its rewarding handling model, its sense of atmosphere and its sumptuous visuals, all of which help make it a highlight of the Colin McRae series.
  3. DiRT 2 achieves something that looked pretty difficult to accomplish, and manages to be even better than the first game. Colin McRae would be proud of it.