Conclusion, final thoughts and awards
So, let’s pop into the service area and give Colin McRae DiRT the final once-over.Starting off with the disappointments, the biggest niggle is the multiplayer that had the potential to be so much better. I know it’s a mirror of the Xbox 360’s online play and both of them are equally lacking. The lack of any real PvP racing where you can see your opponents and dazzle them with your skills is a big downer. Hopefully, given the online nature of the PS3, the Codies will release a multiplayer patch to add in the missing features… you never know, eh?
Another niggle is the lack of championship modes for the other off-road disciplines. Sure, I can Rally in classic Colin McRae style but why can’t I do any of the other styles in a championship mode? The game engine is there, the models are there, I just need a championship tree to be created and we’re all done. Whilst not as big an issue as the multiplayer, this is something else that really should’ve been in Colin McRae DiRT from the start.
Click for larger imageBut you shouldn’t let either of these put you off Colin McRae DiRT. If you did, you’d be missing out on one of the best racing experiences you’re likely to find on the PS3. It really is very, very good. At times the car handling can seem s a little ‘floaty’ with the cars not gripping the track quite as you’d expect but other than that this has to be one of the most realistic and engrossing driving games out there.
Graphically, Colin McRae DiRT is simply superb and really is a game to show off the PS3’s abilities to your mates. And yes, I’m sorry to have to tell you Xbox 360 fans that it does look better on the PS3. I can’t say if it runs at a higher framerate but there is an occasional issue with the odd bit of slow-down. Not stuttering as such but the occasional hiccup. But other than that, given how damn nice everything looks, I have to say I prefer the PS3 version to the Xbox 360 version… Sorry, but it’s true.
Click for larger imageGraphics aside, which is really the only way to tell the Xbox 360 version from this PS3 version, Colin McRae DiRT excels because of the ease in which you can get racing. The difficulty modes are perfectly balanced to give novice and seasoned drivers a challenging race. The trick with games like this is to teach drivers the techniques and then let them use them in a race, something that Colin McRae DiRT does superbly. Listen to your co-driver on the rally stages and you’ll have a far easier time. Smooth out the corners on the CORR or Crossover races and you’ll post some admirable lap times. Drive like a berk and your car will fall apart around you…
If I had to recommend an off-road racer for the PS3, Colin McRae DiRT would be it and quite possibly also my contender for best racer so far on the PS3.
Pros
Looks superb
Excellent simulation of off-road racing
Brilliant damage modelling
Easy access career mode
Classic Colin McRae rally mode
As much depth as you want
Cons
Online play is a let down
Cars can feel a bit floaty
Occasional frame-rate hiccups
Colin McRae DiRT: Possibly the best PS3 racing game yet
HEXUS Awards
Colin McRae DiRT – PS3
