Another year, another update - new developer this time (which has made some really bad games) and the 1st rally game for the current gen consoles (but also released on last gen to). I like rally games; but not a big rally fan -so i focus more on the technical side of the game, than how accurate the livery/teams/2015 line up etc are, although it seems all boxes have been ticked.
its abit of a mixed bag - and the dirt fans will probably buckle over laughing; however it plays quite nice, looks good and can be very challenging. A true test of a rally game for me is the damage model - do tyres blow out, wheels come off, doors buckle, panels fall off, glass crack etc etc. WRC 5 get some off it right, but most of it wrong. I have pranged the left rear bumper and crumple damage magically appeared across the whole bumper; rolled the car and there was damage all over, except the doors, which were clearly hit. Silly stuff that shouldn't have got through QC. Haven't seen any wheel or tyre damage yet, so i hope its in there
The simulated damaged is excellent though - the handbrake can fail, electronics damage can occur (resulting in pace notes not being relayed and being replaced with static), gearbox damage, resulting in difficulties getting out of gear etc
Graphically its rather nice too, with nice lighting, scenery etc, but poor visable weather effects - all very last gen and quite possible the gen before that in some occasions. Replays arent great either - very bog standard with poor sensation of speed (the actual game seems to suffer from this too, as 100mph felt like 50mph.
The frame rate is the killer for me - hovering probably around the 45-55 fps mark, dropping to around 30 alot of the time. its abit distracting, but not a deal breaker. Why there isnt an option to lock it, i'll never know - surely it couldnt be too difficult. Some minor screen tear / wobble too - i really thought i'd seen the last of that.
I'll add some more review detail when I have time, but to summarise;
Pros
Decent graphics/car models
detailed scenery
excellent simulated damage (gameplay)
fantastic sounding engine noises
good physics - cars move and roll fairly accurately
nice lighting and night racing
Cons
ropey visual damage model
unacceptable frame rate (why was it just not locked at 30 fps?)
minor screen tear/wobble
slightly slug-ish control
poor sensation of speed
dodgy weather effects
not many cars to choose from (although some may be unlockable?)
i'll give it abit more time, before getting shot of it (this mini review was done on the basis of a 4 hr session). So a rather average 6 score from me
its abit of a mixed bag - and the dirt fans will probably buckle over laughing; however it plays quite nice, looks good and can be very challenging. A true test of a rally game for me is the damage model - do tyres blow out, wheels come off, doors buckle, panels fall off, glass crack etc etc. WRC 5 get some off it right, but most of it wrong. I have pranged the left rear bumper and crumple damage magically appeared across the whole bumper; rolled the car and there was damage all over, except the doors, which were clearly hit. Silly stuff that shouldn't have got through QC. Haven't seen any wheel or tyre damage yet, so i hope its in there
The simulated damaged is excellent though - the handbrake can fail, electronics damage can occur (resulting in pace notes not being relayed and being replaced with static), gearbox damage, resulting in difficulties getting out of gear etc
Graphically its rather nice too, with nice lighting, scenery etc, but poor visable weather effects - all very last gen and quite possible the gen before that in some occasions. Replays arent great either - very bog standard with poor sensation of speed (the actual game seems to suffer from this too, as 100mph felt like 50mph.
The frame rate is the killer for me - hovering probably around the 45-55 fps mark, dropping to around 30 alot of the time. its abit distracting, but not a deal breaker. Why there isnt an option to lock it, i'll never know - surely it couldnt be too difficult. Some minor screen tear / wobble too - i really thought i'd seen the last of that.
I'll add some more review detail when I have time, but to summarise;
Pros
Decent graphics/car models
detailed scenery
excellent simulated damage (gameplay)
fantastic sounding engine noises
good physics - cars move and roll fairly accurately
nice lighting and night racing
Cons
ropey visual damage model
unacceptable frame rate (why was it just not locked at 30 fps?)
minor screen tear/wobble
slightly slug-ish control
poor sensation of speed
dodgy weather effects
not many cars to choose from (although some may be unlockable?)
i'll give it abit more time, before getting shot of it (this mini review was done on the basis of a 4 hr session). So a rather average 6 score from me
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