WeView Verdict: DiRT Showdown

Given the perceived popularity of the DiRT series amongst the TSA community I was surprised to see how few took part in this week’s WeView, although perhaps it’s a series that simply appeals to die-hard racing fans a lot without attracting many others.

For the most part though the game does appeal to those who decided to chip in with their opinion, so if you’re on the fence about the game read on and see if it sounds like something you’d like.

Forrest_01 was the first to share their opinions on the game, and the first to say something positive about the arcade racer. He has perhaps the best description I’ve ever heard of the game, asking us to “Imagine if you will, Dirt 3 & a demolition derby game had a likkle baby. Then the baby T-Boned the both of them.”

Whilst that does sound like quite a change for the series, Forrest_01‘s quick to point out that “It’s not a complete departure from the series as it still very much retains a Dirt mechanic…” They concluded by saying that ” if you were a fan of the Dirt series, but just wished that it had a little more confrontation (as I did), this is the game for you,” and it seems many of you felt the same.

[drop2]MadJunkBoy certainly felt it was the game for him, starting by saying that it’s “just an awesome game, it’s like DiRT3 but with a more arcady twist to it.” They went on to say that they’re “enjoying every minute of this game, and especially online with my fellow TSAers,” although they noted that the “single player can be frustrating at times but all the fun you will get online with with a couple of friends will compensate for the frustartion!”

Death_In_Flamez  initially seemed that they weren’t all that into the game, calling it “an utter pain to get into,” a position that may seem odd as they arranged the current Showdown tournament. However, whilst Death_In_Flamez admits that “For about two weeks I hated it,” before they finally “saw why it was so special.” Much like MadJunkBoy noted, it’s online play that’s key to the game, as Death_In_Flamez stated that “With friends, the carnage you deal is as sweet as a sugar toffee.”

Crazy_Del was the stand out comment this week, swaying away from the love displayed in the other comments. They were disappointed that “The Battersea Event is a copy and paste from DiRT 3 with exact same trophies” and bemoaned the lack of Cat and Mouse in the game’s online. Their ultimate opinion was that “£40 just feels like a rip off – more of a £15 for a DLC to DiRT 3.”

Finally, lets hear from one of the DiRT Showdown tournament finalists, which is only fair as we’ve already heard from MadJunkBoy. Here’s what Tomhlord had to say about the game:

Dirt Showdown may be a racing game, but it is most certainly not for racing fans. Not hardcore ones anyway, that eat burnt rubber for breakfast. If however you have a sense of humour and like things with 4 wheels, Showdown should be right up your street.

Now it’s time to turn to this week’s verdict, and it’s a simple one to calculate. Whilst Bargain Bin It received one vote, the remaining six went to Buy It. It seems clear that if you want a destructive racing game, DiRT Showdown’s for you.