Dirt Rally vs Dirt 4: A Comparison of Two Iconic Racing Games

The world of rally racing has seen its fair share of ups and downs since Colin McRae's untimely passing. While his name still commands respect, the genre itself seemed to veer off course (pun intended) with the release of more arcade-oriented titles.

However, recent years have witnessed a welcome return to form for rallying games thanks in large part to Codemasters' Dirt series and its latest offering: Dirt 4. But how does this new title stack up against its predecessor? Let's dive into our comparison of Dirt Rally vs Dirt 4 to find out!

Dirt Rally: The Spiritual Successor

Released initially as Dirt 3 in certain regions, Colin McRae Rally (as it was rebranded following the rally legend's passing) marked a significant departure from previous titles. Gone were the over-the-top jumps and drifting antics; instead, we got an authentic rallying experience that would make even seasoned enthusiasts proud.

With its challenging courses set across various European locations such as Greece, Finland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Germany and Australia, Dirt Rally demanded skill rather than luck to progress. The handling was precise yet unforgiving – a true representation of real-world rally racing.

Dirt 4: Evolution Over Revolution

Fast forward several years and we're greeted with the latest installment in Codemaders' rallying franchise: Dirt 4 (or simply Dirt on some platforms). Does this new title build upon its predecessor's foundations or does it stray too far from what made Colin McRaine Rally so great?

Visually, there are certainly improvements to speak of. The graphics have been given a welcome faceloup with more detailed environments and improved lighting effects making each stage feel like an authentic rally course.

But beyond the aesthetics lies where things start to become somewhat mixed bag for fans of Dirt 3 (or Colin McRaine Rally as it was known outside North America). While some may appreciate the addition of new modes such as Career Mode which allows players to progress through ranks and unlock rewards; others might find these features feel slightly watered down compared to its predecessor.

Moreover, while Dirt 4 does offer more rallycross disciplines like Rallying, Rally2, Rallycross RX Supercars and Ken Block's GymkhanaSTX it feels somewhat lacking in terms of variety when compared against the likes of Forza Motorsport or even Project Cars. Perhaps this is down to Codemasters' focus on delivering a more arcade-like experience rather than catering specifically towards hardcore racing enthusiasts?

So there you have our take on Dirt Rally vs Dirt 4 – two very different takes on rallying games from one developer, but how does that ultimately affect your gaming experience? If you're looking for an authentic rally sim with challenging courses and realistic handling then yes; Colin McRaine's baby is still the way to go.

However, if like many players out there today what draws them into racing titles isn't necessarily about raw competition or precision driving skills but rather just having fun behind wheel of any old vehicle while enjoying stunning visuals without worrying too much about physics engine accuracy – then perhaps Dirt 4 might be more up your alleyway?

Ultimately though it all comes down personal preference so why not give both games a tryout for yourself and see which one best suits your tastes?

Dirt rally vs dirt 4