One of the best driving games for a long time.
So DiRT is a rally game. But the developers have stepped it up a notch this time around by including a host of varied race types in addition to the classic rally. You have different types of rallies such as 4WD and RWD, and Hill climb - which are single car races with just you against the clock, plus other events like rally cross, rally raid and CORR which all pit you against many other vehicles on the same track. The inclusion of all these different events is an excellent addition to the game as it adds plenty of variety and stops the action ever getting old.
The driving model itself is very good also. It is a sort-of arcade-simulation hybrid and that is no bad thing, because the lack of Forza-esque crawling round corners at 3 mph is definitely not present here and that helps keep the pace of the game going. However, this is no Mario Kart either. The driving does feel good and solid, and let's just say that you definitely know you're driving a car. Another part of the game play that must be mentioned is the damage model. This is an outstanding part of the game, with hundreds of parts of the car able to fall off or dent. Even all the scenery is destructible; a feature that not many driving games can boast.
There are many different options for vehicle types and the good news is that they all feel very different. Powering up a dirt track in a huge big rig feels very different to gliding round smooth tarmac in a nimble Peugeot 207, and this really plays a big part in making sure you get a different experience every time you play.
The bulk of DiRT is in the career mode: a considerably large pyramid of events for you to compete in. Over the course of the career you earn money, buy cars, do races, but to be honest that's about it. It would be hard to call the career mode particularly deep, but it works. The fantastically sleek and well designed menu system exudes class, and your friendly guide Travis Pastrama (a real rally driver) is always on hand to congratulate, console or advise. The package is so well put together that despite the career mode's lack of significant depth, you get a great sense of achievement from winning races and climbing up the pyramid, as well as achievement points, which are well distributed and well balanced.
The other modes in DiRT include Championship and Rally World, where you can compete in multi-stage rally events or choose a single race to participate in, and they add a nice alternative to the career mode, but are nothing special. Also in this day and age you would expect a multi-player element to almost any game and on this DiRT delivers... well kind of. There is an xbox live multiplayer option but there are only classic rally events. You receive real-time updates of how everyone else is doing in relation to you, and it can support up to one hundred players, but on a platform where you have to pay for multi-player, the online component in DiRT just isn't good enough.
The graphics are excellent, with realistic environments, nice car models and fantastic lighting. The tracks themselves are very well done too, with a variety of different surfaces looking just as they should. The sound is arguably the most realistic in any game ever released, with all the vehicles sounding exactly as they should. The only fault with the game's presentation is that the frame rate can dip quite considerably when there are many other cars on the screen, and this can detract from the experience, but it doesn't tend to happen too often and certainly doesn't ruin the game.
DiRT is a truly great game. You don't need to be a rally fan or even a hardcore racing fan to appreciate it. It is easy to pick up and play and has plenty of difficulty levels so you can play it no matter what your level is. This game works because it is simply so well put together. The graphics are outstanding, the sound is incredible and the little touches such as the menu system and the helpful tips from your in game guide make this game good. Despite its shortcomings such as a lack of proper multi-player and the occasional dip in the frame rate, DiRT is a worthy addition to any 360 owner's collection.