The original Dirt hit the ground running by becoming one of the best racing titles on the scene. From the fun arcade gameplay style to gorgeous visuals, Dirt really did impress. Dirt 2 is here and set to kick the already awesome series up another gear and in doing so, leave the competition in its mud splattered wake.
From the get go, one thing is unavoidably apparent. Dirt 2’s presentation is absolutely phenomenal. The initial menu screens, designs, captivating colour schemes and race prompts are incredible and seep awesomeness. As an upcoming driver, you live out of a beat-up trailer which acts as your race hub. From the first-person perspective, you select and acquire briefings for your races, as well as interact with objects to engage with various options. It’s rare you find a title which actually makes the menu screens pleasurable as well feel like they’re part of the gaming experience.
Dirt 2’s ‘campaign’ (so to speak) puts you against some of the world’s best offroad drivers, such as Ken Block, Dave Mirra and the notoriously talented Travis Pastrana, in a globe spanning racing venture which visits racing locales such as Morocco, Croatia, Utah and London. Three different types of race disciplines are available, including Rally Cross, Baja races and Trailblazers, with over 100 events varying from team races, gate crashers and Last Man Standing, while competitions, such as the glorified X-Games, are interval prizes at the end of each leg when enough points are accumulated.
Dirt 2 is all about driver interaction. Other drivers will constantly talk and taunt you throughout races. ‘Driver Throwdowns’ are initiated whereby a pro racer will challenge you to a one-on-one competition ranging from a number of events. When certain drivers are beaten, they become your ‘buddy’ allowing you to partner up with them in the before mentioned Team Races.
Down to the actual racing and what everyone wants to hear about – the cars. Dirt 2 boasts the world’s leading off-road and rally-orientated cars for the player’s pure enjoyment, but they come at a price. Vehicles are bought with money earned in races, but thankfully enough money is always available to get you just about whatever you desire. The cars range from Toyotas to Hummers (for the Baja races) and while the fan favorites, the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX STI are there. Some incredibly competitive racing is a result thanks to the cars being well balanced to one another and even your starting vehicle will keep up with the top-of-the-range rally monsters.
The brilliant AI also contributes to this competitive experience, as opponents will return aggressive behavior, avoid crashes (while crashing themselves sometimes) and put up a good fight in those tight events. Overall, Dirt 2 has already laid down the necessary mechanics for a great racing title.
On the tracks, which are incredibly detailed and varied, ranging from urban off-road environments like London’s rally-crosses, to China’s wide open fields and narrow bridges, the cars feel fantastic, with loose handling that contributes to throwing the back of the car out for some beautiful drifts and sliding corners. A great sense of speed is also created with the help of some incredibly realistic audio and roaring engine noises.
Living up to the original Dirt’s stellar graphical presentation, Dirt 2’s visuals do not disappoint. Never has a game so brutal and filthy, looked so unbelievably gorgeous. Lighting is absolutely jaw dropping. It’s so good you’ll literally be begging for the sun in your eyes while you’re racing. The cars are stunningly modeled and gather dirt, dust and mud throughout race, while the crashes and damage are ravishing enough to compel you to drive into a wall. The smaller additions and effects, such as fireworks and pyrotechnics here and there in the races contribute a significant amount to the overall theme of the game which conveys a spectacular racing event, as opposed to a lonesome race.
Some games can have such excellent presentation that it enhances the gameplay and whole experience of the title. Dirt 2 is a prime example of this, whereby extra detail, whether it be graphical or operational, enhances the gaming and racing experience to such as degree it pleases any type of gamer. With fantastic racing, impeccable visuals and all the bells and whistles to go with it (including incredible voice work by Pastrana and Block themselves) Dirt had never looked this good.
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
