DiRT 4

DiRT 4 for PC, PS4 and XONE is another installment in the popular series of racing games developed by Codemasters Software. The franchise is considered the spiritual heir to the classic Colin McRae Rally series. DiRT 4 delivers an extension to the concepts its predecessors were based on, but also introduces many novelties.

Mechanics

The game offers over 50 cars and the player participates in several kinds of championships. Rallying takes place mainly in Sweden, Michigan, Wales, Spain and Australia. During the in-game events, the player drives in such classic cars as Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 or the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, but the game also features newer vehicles, most notably Ford Fiesta R5. Furthermore, the player will find the Landrush mode, which returns in this installment, giving an opportunity to drive lightweight and very maneuverable vehicles (Pro Buggy, the Pro-2 and Pro-4 class trucks, crosskarts) when competing for victory in Nevada, Mexico and California. The largest novelty introduced however, is the FIA World Rallycross Championship license, which brings a competition variant dedicated specifically for rallycross events – here, the player takes part in direct competition on tracks located in Lydden Hill, Montalegre, Hell, Holjes and Lohéac Bretagne. What complements the set of gameplay variants available, is the Joyride mode, which offers different kinds of challenges, such as time trials or those requiring the player to destroy objects for instance.

DiRT 4 for PC, PS4 and XONE borrows plenty of gameplay elements from both the installments that focused on arcade rivalry, and the realism-driven DiRT Rally. As a result, DiRT 4 features an advanced damage system – both visual and mechanical. If the player seriously damages their car, the engineers are the only ones that can help after the finished run. The better (more expensive option) specialists the player hires, the more effective they are at preparing the car for another start. Thus it is worth keeping in mind that between particular sections of a rally, the player has a limited amount of time that can be spent on repairing the car. Also, the game offers a wide set of tuning options - the car setup can be adjusted to the player's individual preferences or simply automatically matched with the conditions on the road.

Game modes

The game brings different modes for the player to enjoy, the most basic of which is the Career - the player creates their own driver here; alongside progression, one builds up their team (consisting of more and more effective specialists) and attracts subsequent sponsors. Apart from that, DiRT 4 comes with a competition-based multiplayer mode complemented by daily, weekly and monthly challenges. The multiplayer is supervised by the RaceNet service, which makes it possible to organize on-line leagues and tournaments. This system also manages the online rankings, where the players can share their results with others.

Moreover, the creators implemented a special module called Your Stage – this allows the player to create their own routes in a simple and intuitive manner. The players can share their creations with other contestants and even compete for the best result.

Technical aspects

DiRT 4 for PC, PS4 and XONE utilizes the Ego technology, which was used in production of the previous installments as well. However, the engine went through certain modifications, which made it possible to benefit from the capabilities of modern-day PCs and consoles. This resulted in the game's 3D visuals looking genuinely satisfying, as both the car models and the in-game environments were recreated with attention to detail. All of this is complemented by a high-quality soundtrack featuring realistic sounds of engines and rally cars speeding on gravel roads.

Last updated on 10 May 2017