The DiRT series gets back to its roots
Early Access: DiRT Rally Where: PC/Steam
A
NSWERING THE CRIES OF a vocal portion of their fan base,
Codemasters have taken a step back towards the pure rally driving
of the classic Colin McRae Rally series with their latest iteration of
DiRT. Available now on Steam early access (PC only for now), the
developers will be continuing to add to the game until it’s full release.
We’re loving what we’ve played so far with the customary blend of speed,
precision and occasional balls-out insanity, wrapped up in a smart package
with a great selection of cars. We’ll have a full review when the final version
is with us. Check it out!
its own as all the elements drop into
place - your first clean first-place lap
around Monaco without assists will be
a moment of pride.
Changing a winning Formula?
What:
F1 2015
Who: Codemasters
Format: Windows, PS4, Xbox One
Availability: Out Now
F1 2015 feels like Codemasters
hitting the reset button on the longrunning series - with all the positives
and negatives that come along with
that. For the 2015 edition the game
makes the leap to the next (and
rapidly becoming current) generation
consoles, meaning a complete
overhaul for the graphics as well as an
update to the presentation, handling
and AI. The downside to this has been
the loss of some of the series’ most
treasured game modes - in particular
career mode and ‘classic’ content
(all the old-school tracks and cars)
are absent. Fortunately F1 2015 has
enough capability and nuance on the
track to keep it a compelling play and
a more than worthwhile buy if you
prefer your top-level track racing on
four wheels.
Both the 2015 and 2014 seasons are
featured in the game, meaning the
inclusion of both sets of drivers, cars
and tracks. Thankfully this means we
still get to race Hockenheim, which
the 2015 championship has skipped.
The biggest update to the feel of
the game comes from the real-life
developments within the sport. Since
the 2014 switch to turbo-charged V6s
rather than V8s along with changes
in aero rules, the cars are much more
torque-y and twitchy. 2015 does a
great job of incorporating this, making
for sometimes less than forgiving
but definitely more satisfying results.
Throttle control needs to be tight and
consistent, with as much concentration
coming out of a turn as going into it.
Like any sports game, it comes into
The focus of play is on Championship
Season mode as