I’ve never been one to commend developers/publishers for churning out yearly sequels, especially when they fall into the genre placing of the sport variety. It is a touch depressing for the consumer when they see their favourite gaming title back a year later with a slight tweak, and back on the shelf for another £40.
True rally simulation (i.e. driving against the clock rather than on track rivals) was always perceived to be a bit of a non-starter until Codemasters Colin McRae Rally series saw its first instalment on the PS1. Since then, not too many have felt the need to try and best this kind of genre. Evolution Studios saw the need to attempt to steal a piece of the market away From Codemasters, bringing forth the “official” game of the FIA World Rally Championship. Now its forth iteration in as many years, the series has improved year on year from it’s somewhat disappointing beginning, to the splendid example of rally gaming which we show off to you today.
The number of options on the game mode’s menus shows the first update for the year. With the usual modes (Championship, Time Trial, Quick Race etc..) back for their usual tour of duty, we now have the “Pro Driver Challenge Mode”. Just like the similar mode which has finally made an appearance in Codemasters view of the rallying world, this mode see’s you begin life as a novice driver, attempting to prove yourself worthy to rise up the ranks and eventually become world champion. As obvious a mode as this was to include, it does give that extra longevity and that feeling of true worth as you finally clamber to the tipper most top of the rallying ladder.
A graphical update wasn’t really the first thing that needed particular attention to, and it seems that Evolution Studios were in agreement with us there. While the claim that certain tracks have photo realistic textures was perhaps a touch over the top, there’s very little to let down WRC4 in the visual department. The cars themselves look stunningly attractive and detailed, and the tracks themselves are somewhat of a step up from Codemasters best efforts. Taking a peek at the after stage replays in particular show off the true appealing visuals that heighten the overall quality of this effort. The sheer distance you can view, as you watch your tiny car scurrying along cliff edges and between trees is quite incredible. And with a nice selection of musical accompaniment, you’ll find yourselves watching each replay more often than not.
Having the official license means that WRC4 is the only title to have the 2004 season drivers and cars for you to play around with. Plus the tracks themselves are modelled on “real life”. While the none to clued up rallying fan this may be a touch irrelevant, the hardcore rally buff will adore the amount of detail that’s been put in thanks to the official license. The beautiful menus display and buttons show off the true dedication to really display this as a tie in with the official product rather than a “mere game”.
But of course this is all irrelevant the game isn’t any fun to play. First things first, don’t expect to have an easy time if you’re coming to WRC4 from Codies efforts. The cars here have such a greater feel of weight and inertia, that you’ll be hard pressed to even keep your car on the track at the simplest of corners for your first half hours play. The upshot of such a demanding handling system is that there’s such a greater feeling of accomplishment once you finally get the hang of it, and find yourself winning stages here, there and everywhere. Unlike Codemasters who decided to finally include a handling style that takes on board all four wheel’s connection with the road surface, WRC4 still feels like your turning the car around a central pivot. Some claim it to be the best style, some beg to differ. There’s little doubt however that this challenging handling style is quite impressive, with much enjoyment abound.
Despite Sony falling into the yearly update syndrome, which more and more publishers are falling pray to in recent years, there’s still a lot in WRC4 to recommend. While the difficulty may be quite high, and a fair amount of practice is needed to truly master the art of rally driving, this is levelled out by the pure enjoyment of flinging your chosen motor around hairpin bends, and shaving obscenely miniscule amounts of time off the current best for the course. Like any long running series, if you do possess last year's effort, you may be a touch dismayed with the meagre upgrades from your last £40 spent. But if you're looking for the very best that the rally gaming world currently has to offer, WRC4 is your best bet.
Chris Pickering
