The sequel ramps up the visual fidelity where it counts, using weather effects and time of day to create real drama. This was broadly true of its predecessor-but in truth, Dirt Rally never felt anything like as scary or as taxing. Force feedback surges through your wheel, fizzing your brain as though you’ve licked a battery, and whether using a wheel (preferable) or pad, vehicles behave just as you want them to-barely tameable, occasionally balletic in their powerslides, always convincing. A rally stage is an assault on every sense (alright, perhaps not taste or smell if we’re being pedantic), rattling the cockpit camera violently while an audio onslaught of complicated but crucially important pacenotes hits you, whether you’re ready for them or not. Next year I would like to see 60fps, better damage model, HDR support and more vehicles in WRC9.How does it feel, exactly? A bit like the Normandy beach landings, but with pace notes. Yes DR2 is 60fps compared to 30fps of WRC 8, and i would have liked HDR support for wrc8, but it still looks and plays great (4k on 1X) and I think you all should give it a chance with an open mind if you are into rally games. For now, we have two amazing rally games to choose from! Next year I would like to see 60fps, better damage model, HDR support and more vehicles in WRC9. Deep career mode with tons of options, season mode for those not wanting to tinker with management, 100 tracks with dynamic weather tuned to your liking, options to tweak handling and camera angles, compared to DR2 stripped down single player options.

Because of this, races feel alive and exhilarating whereas DR2 feels slow in comparison.ĥ. WRC8 just feels faster and more responsive. Both feel like simulations, but WRC 8 feels like they nailed the fun factor along with it.Ĥ. In DR2 I feel like I have to drive defensively because of the unforgiving physics, but in WRC 8 I can push the throttle harder as long as I dont get carried away or miscalculate a turn. Tire choice really affects your handling, as do wet roads, puddles, and snow.

I feel DR2 feels nearly the same on all surfaces regardless of weather conditions. The drifting feels so satisfying in WRC8 because the sense and sound of tire grip. I think they strike a perfect balance between heavy and light, and while I would say they just need to get the weight heavier in collisions, the cars feel grounded and the tires react better to the different surfaces. I find I cant drive faster, drift better, and crashes dont feel cheap. I feel like you have more immediate control over the vehicle, whereas the cars feel too heavy and unforgiving in DR2. They have been reworked for 8, and now they are my favorite. Physics and handling (never thought I would say this). I also like seeing wind makes trees sway and overall, the weather in WRC 8 makes DR2 seem dated in this sense.ģ. This element not only creates eye candy, but excitement in the race seeing changes unfold. WRC 8 features the best weather effects in any rally game, and one that actually really impacts the handling.

From sunny to storms, from storms to sunny, moving clouds that change the lighting, puddles that form or go away, the look of the track often changes from the start to the finish. In DR2 the tracks are more like a support actor in a movie, whereas in WRC 8 the tracks are the star of the show.Ģ. For me, for some reason the tracks in DR2 seem very samey, and every race feels alike.

So much variety, from wide roads to drift on to tight narrow cliffs, tons of elevation changes with a great draw distance, and most importantly more lines to drive on within the path (DR2 is very strict in this sense). Best tracks in any rally game, and ive played them all. Here are some quick reasons why I am having more fun with this game than even Dirt Rally 2 (the current king).ġ. I decided to buy it because I've been wanting dynamic weather in a rally game for years. I find myself having so much fun with this game, and Ive never been a fan of the WRC games, mostly because of the handling model, but everything has changed for the better.

Dirt rally 2.0 vs wrc 8