Tight, fluid, good presentation...

User Rating: 8 | Colin McRae Rally 2005 XBOX
I'm not usually one for driving games, but I've owned early incarnations of Colin McRae on other platforms and enjoyed them, and seeing this on the shelf for $20 (AUD) was enough for me to purchase it and check it out. Having not played Colin for some time I was immediately impressed by the visuals and presentation of this game, though I was a little out of practice with the handling of rally cars. I found my feet after about five races though, and the instinctual controls soon had me tearing around a wide variety of terrain and conditions. The reality of hampered visibility in heavy rain was astonishing!

The upgrade feature, where the player can achieve an improved engine, gearbox, etc, uses a series of mini -game "tests", like keeping revs at certain levels in different gears, seems a little strange. I would've preferred these awards to be achievable by actually racing well rather than in this way, though I appreciate the creators at least giving this title a reasonable difference to more traditional methods of character improvement.
The sound is nothing to write home about either. It serves it's function well enough, but some of those engines should roar through your loungeroom, not just buzz with all that high end. Where's the bass! My neighbours should be angrily knocking on my door!!!

Not earth shattering, but I like this. It's a good sign when you know any failure is your fault, not the fault of the game or it's controls. Tight, fluid, good presentation, and (in Australia at least) very cheap.