Since a couple of people wisely suggested that the Dirt/ Forza threads be separate, and since someone else started a separate Forza thread already, I figured I'd do the same with Dirt. I'm curious to hear other people's impressions now that we have more than a demo to go on.

I just started playing the game this morning, and I'm loving it. It's a great pick up and play game, which I always like. I also really like the career mode interface, but then I always do with Codemasters games. They just always seem to have the most intuitive course selection/ career progress set-ups to me.

I've been playing on the two easiest levels so far, which are pretty insanely easy. You can make some serious mistakes and still win or place high in a race. I'll go up a level or two from now on probably.

Graphically, the game is pretty impressive, although I'd say there is some very noticeable screen tearing/ screen glitching on the more detailed courses (ones with a lot of trees, buildings etc.) I'd be curious to hear if other people have noticed it as well since I didn't see it mentioned in the teamxbox review of the game. Nonetheless, I can't say that it's a huge distraction to me - just that it's noticeable. I had the same issue with Test Drive Unlimited.

Anyway, those are my initial impressions after an hour or so. I'm definitely glad that I picked the game up. I can see myself playing it for quite awhile.

I have been playing it 3 days in row. My impressions is it's a fun game, I wish there's more of circuit racing than "one-way" rally or climb the hill.

It has been increasing hard to control the vehicle on certain maps.

Well first off thanks for starting this. I'm the one in question that suggested two seperate threads for Forza and Dirt since the original thread was about the "Demos" and was getting more about the Forza2 game instead.

With that out of the way we're no doubt in the minority here as far as racing is concern but who cares. It's all about fun and frankly both games deliver. As they say, to each their own. I was torn at first between the two but after years of GT on the Playstation then getting Ralliesport for the XBox I couldn't resist Dirt. So lets get Dirty.....

Lets get the "cons" out of the way first. The so-called arcade feel could go either way. The car handling has been brought up such as the braking but some feel it's a bit erratic and hard to steer. Then there is the fps issue where there's been several reports of "tear" and "freeze" when the screen is especailly full of cars. And then the MP issue or lack of. I've been over several forums and it's almost split on this. For some it's a must have and others single is just fine. I haven't tried the MP of this yet so I cannot comment. One other slight oversight is no "Replay Save". Got a perfect race well sorry no save. It is sweet to see that special move in SloMo with dirt flying up.

I think the "pros" outnumber the cons by a long short. Simply put this is fun, fun and fun and yes additive. It may have a arcade feel but that doesn't mean it's a pushover or a breeze. The high points....
*On Screen Menues - A big plus here as very easy and very clever. From main to sub menues it's a click away and straight forward. From tracks, vehicles, stats it's all there. The demo only has about a 1/10th of the actual menues.
* The "Look" - Simply put the game is stunning. Codemasters went the extra mile and it shows. From vehicles, tracks and landscapes.
* Six Driver Views - Besides the normal front and rear views there's nothing more realistic than the inside view which is Dashboard and Helmet Cam. The extra bonus with Helmet Cam is you can use side and rear view mirrors to see behind and it really works. Oh those little details.
*Five Difficulty Levels - From Rookie to Pro. The higher up the more money you can win but so does the level of damage which.....
*Body Damage - As in Forza2 damage can happen and not only shows but has an effect on driving. You not only have it but you can loose all sorts of parts like doors, fenders, windshields, etc...Plus there 's mechanical damage to the underside as well. It also doesn't take to much to roll one either. Have the helmet Cam on for that trip!
*Vehicles - Any and all Rally from small to large, FWD, RWD, AWD, Classic, Buggy, Truck, Bigger Truck, SUV it's there.
*Six Race Types - Rally, Crossover, Rallycross, Rally Raid, CORR (Buggy) and Hill Climb
*Car Setup/Fine Tune - Probably not as much as Forza2 but you can tweak settings. Almost all have to do with the suspension and braking there's also body and transmission. One cool feature here is they'll explain what each part does and the effect of increasing or subtracking so some are like...What?

While the game is far from perfect it still holds it own. If the MP feature was there, screen problems were fixed and replay could be saved this woul've been a 9.5 rated game. Those that gave it a 8.3 are nick picking this or just hate Rally Racing. For me it was a good choice. Happy Racing.


Kenny J - Buzz Starhopper

Since Dirt doesn't have that all important Replay Save feature I came up with a primitive way of at least getting some still shots. I toyed with the pause button and took digital shots. They were pretty dark so I imported them to PS Elements and did some quick fixes. Not the best but something.


Kenny J - Buzz Strhopper

For twice time, I have flipped my car in air and landed on 4 wheels!

That second pic is pretty cool Buzz.

I have completed the prymid career - in easiest level .

Well I'm taking it a bit slowand trying to enjoy it and tink with some settings. I'm almost done with the second level. I've plyed with Rallyworld and that's pretty fun. You can set up all sorts of races especailly laps. It's great to really try out settings. I started out on Clubman since I didn't know what to expect but it's half of it and Amateur. What you can do is race at or below your level, win the race and then race again at the next level to get more money. Since I'm a "Pro" at crashes here's another two.

Kenny J - Buzz Starhopper