Annoyingly, the changes made didn’t appear to save between rallies so I had to repeatedly tweak the chase camera. Camera options are exhaustive during the events – every single camera angle can be modified which is a relief as the default angles weren’t quite right from the get-go compared to last year’s model. The excellent split-screen mode returns for those tense sofa battles, and online multiplayer ticks all the boxes you would expect from an established and ever-improving series. Gameplay options are as expected: a wealth of single-player challenges and a thorough and deep career which is hard to put down as you strive to improve your rankings. A sound all too familiar from my emotionally traumatic teenage years. The engine sounds are as impressive as WRC 8 with deliciously throaty revving and surface appropriate tyre effects, although the collision sounds are occasionally reminiscent of someone hitting a metal box with a stuffed hare. I can only assume that KT Racing didn’t read my gripes about the car models when I reviewed WRC 8 last year. The car models are still underwhelming though, with simplistic lighting and a distinct lack of detail compared to Dirt Rally 2.0.
#WRC 9 SWITCH REVIEW PS4#
Taxidermy For BeginnersĪs mentioned earlier, the graphics are a leap forward in clarity and detail and although the PS4 version maintains a solid and satisfying 30 FPS throughout, the PS5 version promises 60 fps which in combination with the added graphical power will be an incredible experience. My dad takes our 70s Ford Escort for a spin through the Kenyan wilderness. Of the three new countries, Japan offers the most refreshing challenge with all tarmac stages for some high-speed narrow lane action amongst stunning scenery, New Zealand has some exotic jungles to weave through and Kenya offers up a flat and meandering bunch of gravel stages around big game reserves which are all quite similar and unstimulating.
The three new rallies are a welcome addition and it’s good to see KT avoiding Rall圜ross which is tedious at the best of times even when it’s done well. The ‘Season’ option also allows you to take part in the championship without all the development fussing around between each rally. The menu screens are a model of clarity and simplicity as they were last year, and although the between race screen initially confounds with the sheer amount of tweaks and details available from your team there are enough hints and guides built into the menus to make them easy to navigate with a modicum of practice. Initially, the learning curve is steep even with all the assists turned on, but perseverance pays dividends, as soon you’ll be nailing each section with green (competitive) times and cursing yourself for any careless errors which cost you the stage. The physics engine and car response aren’t noticeably different from last year, but I’m happy to take the developer’s word for the claimed improvements.
One of the worst rally cars ever made, the Proton which flips onto its roof at the drop of a hat, explores the new New Zealand stage We’ll Take Your Word For It The night stages may be damn hard, but they’re also a joy to behold. The lighting is also a leap forward in quality, particularly on the rainy night stages which glisten and sparkle like a naked wrestler on the way to the shower after a bout. That said, I became slightly irritated by the dust clouds obscuring the whole screen when using the chase cameras, even though I felt like I should be wearing goggles. Aside from the extra rallies, are the tweaks worth splurging the cash for the latest edition, and have they improved the last-gen car models?įirst impressions indicate that the developer has had a busy year improving the realism of the visuals as WRC 9 looks utterly stunning, including the effects around and on the cars which now bristle with filth after a few turns, and the dust clouds kicked up behind are significantly more realistic and help towards a more immersive and believable sim.
#WRC 9 SWITCH REVIEW UPGRADE#
Tweaks have been made to the physics engine for increased authenticity and responsiveness, and behind the scenes, there is the opportunity to upgrade the teams and cars. So how does WRC 9 justify itself in terms of the standard yearly chugging out of a licensed sporting event? Well according to the press release, the most obvious ones are the addition of three new rallies to reflect the changes in the 2020 season, namely Kenya, Japan and New Zealand.
The 8-ball is about to drive into the drink… Chugging Despite Dirt Rally 2’s more impressive car models, WRC 8 was a more authentic and satisfying rally sim. Last year’s release trumped Dirt Rally 2.0 by Codemasters through its immersive and highly convincing rally stages, each of which felt like they had been meticulously crafted by the team.
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