INTRO
The original DiRT was a real step forward for rally games when it was released, it had addictive gameplay, great graphics and was generally just a fun experience. Then DiRT 2 came along and made the franchise more accessible and even more fun. Now DiRT 3 is here and it has improved on the ideas of the first and second game as well as throwing a wealth of new ones into the mix.
GAMEPLAY / WORLD TOUR - 5/5
The DiRT world tour is the main single player focus in DiRT 3 as it was in the previous version and it is made even better by the added variety and depth of the new events and the addition of more rally, this is a rally game after all. The new events include Gymkhana (made famous by Ken Block, who makes a reappearance in this game) which is fun once you get used to the mechanics of it, although there is a option to turn 'trick-steering' on to make it easier but for me this took most of the fun out of it so I turned it off. There is also the addiction of a drift mode, similar to that in 'Grid' which is also fun. Then there are some other cool one off events where you might be racing a bob-sleigh down a snow covered descent, which add some variety to the experience.
Another addition to the game are the weather effects, which can really effect the gameplay and effect how you tackle certain things in the game. The new weather effects are snow and rain but there are different intensities to these effects so one race you may be driving on a snow laden track whilst in another race on the same track you will be driving through a blizzard. Also the addition of true day and night events is a welcome addition to the game.
There are a large number of races in the world tour, seemingly endless, as more and more races are unlock as you go on. Roughly the single player is about 15 - 20 hours in length, which is perfect as it gives you enough time with the game without it feeling stale by the end.
GRAPHICS - 5/5
I can say with confidence that this is the one of the best looking racing games I have ever seen, which seems to be the case every time codemasters bring out a game. The cars are modelled excellently but what really stands out for me are the environments. Whether your racing through the dry, barren landscapes of Kenya or speeding passed the ridiculous snow jumps in Aspen it never ceases to amaze, they are gorgeous. I also love how the car takes some of the environment with it as they are always caked with snow at the end of a race in aspen or a dusty mess by the end of a trailblazer in Kenya, which is a nice touch.
SOUND - 4.5/5
Every aspect of the sound impresses apart from one, the voice overs, they are lack lustred at best and ken block can't seem to put any emotion in his voice what so ever. Other than that though, the soundtrack is brilliant, the car noises are fierce and then there's just the little things like hearing snow crunch under your tires as you slide wildly round glimmering white cliff face.
CONCLUSION - 5/5
DiRT 3 is just a brilliant game and deserves to be played by everyone. It improves on its predecessors in every way and is the best rally game I have ever played, easily. Go buy it!
5.0