Hurtling in from the left-field, Codemasters have announced a brand new entry in the Dirt series entitled DiRT Rally, and it’s arriving today via Steam Early Access, exclusive to PC.
The immensely successful series, which has been a console main-stay since it’s original incarnation as Colin Mcrae Rally, is making a return with a far more realistic approach, with this latest entry looking closer to being a simulation than the series has ever been before. The physical simulation and driving models have been completely rebuilt from the ground up, with a renewed focus on realism, aiming to capture the unique sensation of driving a rally car at break-neck speeds.
In the game’s current form, early adopters will have access to 17 cars, over six new and classic classes, including the Audi Quattro S1, the Lancia Delta HF and series’ staple the Subaru Impreza. Players will be able to test these cars out across 36 challenging stages, set across three locales; Hafren, Wales; Monte Carlo, Monaco and Argolis, Greece. The game also looks to have a full range of weather effects as well as the ability to race at both day and night.
Players will also be able to manage their race team, where you can hire up to four engineering staff to work on your car between stages, and upgrade your vehicles with improved parts. You’ll also be able to compete in rally seasons, and take part in the Rally Async mode which provides daily, weekly and month-long challenges against fellow players from around the world without the need to be online at the same time.
Though it’s currently only available to PC players, it’s possible that DiRT Rally could indicate where Codemasters is looking to take the series, and could well provide the framework for DiRT 4 at some point in the future. Given that it’s in Early Access, player feedback will undoubtedly shape the game’s evolution and possibly the series as a whole.
DiRT Rally is available now via Steam Early Access, priced £24.99.
Source: Press Release
Tomhlord
What.
I hope by the time the early access period has ended, and the game is completed, there is a console release.
hornet1990
I’m with you on that. My first thought was WTF?!
Looks like they’re heading in the right direction though (finally!) Although I thought Dirt4 was supposed to be fairly imminent? Seems like it might not be now :(
Avenger
Lovely to see the series finally going back to its root. It feels like this and F1 2015 are Codemasters getting their stuff together and focusing on the solid racing that they used to develop years ago.
For some reason it feels weirdly right to release it only on PC though. Perhaps because I can’t imagine there being that much of a big audience for this type of rally game on the consoles.
In any case it is early access. Which means Codemasters can access a community, get feedback, and get money to help support the project mid-development. All of that can help get the game to what it needs to be, and then Codemasters can think about the consoles.
camdaz
Great news, except the pc only part.
It’s what thr last few Dirt games should have been.
Avenger
The PC-only part may be a consequence of this type of rally game being made.
People are already trying the game out and it’s proper hardcore, going slightly beyond Gran Turismo’s level of physics and realism. The production values simply aren’t the same as previous Dirt entries, and as such, it’s likely not financially feasible to bring it to consoles.
TSBonyman
I’m glad they’ve changed their tune about nobody wanting a straight-up Rally game anymore. Hopefully it will make it’s way to console too. Three locations sounds limited at first but the weather system should mix things up a bit.
Ouninpohja
Big deal.
They’ve become laughable (at best) since they dropped the big man’s name from the series anyway.
They were never gonna be the same without his input into the development and physics. And as a result are just far too arcadey nowadays.
Avenger
Didn’t he die though???
camdaz
Sadly yes, as did Britain’s other great rally driver Richard Burns. Who’s game was really good, a proper hardcore rally game that did quite well on consoles.
DeadlyChipmunk
Crikey Bob!
They finally create a decent Dirt game and release it on PC only! I’ve not played a driving game on a PC since Ultimate Race Pro, consoles are where that genre belongs now. Codemasters have certainly lost the plot with driving games lately, but maybe they will bring this out on the consoles and redeem themselves (doubt it).
In the meantime Project Cars gets closer \o/
freezebug2
Project Cars gets closer ;)
In Codies defence, some of their other releases track-wise have been top notch, Grid Autosport has been an entertaining and must come back to jobbie!
NicholasHeathfield
Please no gymkhana. PLEASE no gymkhana.
Otherwise, I wonder if this is closer to Dirt 2 or Dirt 3. Dirt 3 was closer to what we got in WRC or V-Rally back in the day, but I thought Dirt 2 was a lot wilder and more entertaining. The chronic oversupply of dudebro was annoying, but I still kept D2 and traded in D3.