New Codemasters Rally Title is DiRT Rally 2.0: Releases 26 February 2019

[Nielsen]

DR2 will feature real rally stages from the USA, Argentina, Australia, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

I lost interest right there. Monte Carlo, Wales, Finland and Sweden is all I need in my rally game.

 

[OJT6627]

I always was a bad driver when it came to non-tarmac races. Then, i tried DiRT Rally... and i was suffering.
But the game, despite its simplicity, was SO MUCH FUN! And it ran so well on my laptop despite it having only 4 gigs of RAM. Getting used to your co-driver, cars, scenery. I'm still struggling on Greece stages, but i can definitely say that DiRT Rally made me a better driver overall Winning Group B RWD Pro championship is my highlight of the game (Opel Manta is lit)

And then Codies announce Rally 2.0

Wide-pan of Audi Quattro tearing up the stage in the sunset with the engine noise overlapping the ambience is... I can't even describe it verbally, it is pure car porn

Extremely hyped for the game

------------------------------------

Also, did i get it wrong, or some of the cars present in first DiRT Rally will now be DLC?

"In addition there will also be a DiRT Rally 2.0 Deluxe Edition which also includes the first two seasons of post-launch additional content, each with three locations (split between rally and rallycross) and five early vehicles unlocks (Ford Escort MkII, Lancia Stratos, Subaru Impreza 1995, AUDI Sport quattro S1 E2 and Ford Fiesta OMSE SuperCar Lite)."

 

[FT-1]

Also, did i get it wrong, or some of the cars present in first DiRT Rally will now be DLC?

Early vehicle unlocks =/= Premium DLC. Those cars are still present in the base game, but you will probably need to unlock them first.

If it is anything like the first game, I'm going going to be really bad at it again. But it is nice to see some team management features are returning from DiRT 4 and the substantial graphics improvements, the foliage appears to set the bar higher than V-Rally 4 did.

Also, now that the DiRT series is supporting post-release content may push me towards buying the Deluxe edition. 👍

 

[BionicDerp]

I'm interested in how that deformation tech is going to play into RX and how far down the que you start in regular stages. Imagining a stage then the reverse, where the first is in rain and mud and the second day all those ruts and crests in the road dry in the sun creating new bumps to take into account.

 

[Wolfe]

I just hope they ditched YourStage this time around. That would be a serious deal breaker for me personally.

The absence of Your Stage is making me doubtful. If Codemasters goes back to their sham of six locations = six small maps containing one road with a fork, or something like that, that's hardly worth my time even if I pick up the game at a discount. The fact that a developer not known for generous post-release support has promised three extra locations for DLC does not give me hope that each location amounts to much.

I think rally stages are one example where quantity > quality, to a degree. No matter how familiar the tiles in D4 can be when you've seen them all, and in spite of the wonky handling, the thrill of not knowing exactly what's beyond the next crest or corner is what makes it my favorite rally game.

 

[MagpieRacer]

To be honest, 6 rally locations is quite disappointing to be honest. Yes, there are better quality stages. But I'd rather have Your Stage be developed further to increase the variety of stages. That was one of the issues in Dirt Rally for me.

Good to see RallyX extended though. Hopefully, they bring across the Team Management aspects of Dirt 4 and extend those further and deepen the livery editor.

Disagree. Your stage did nothing for me regarding extending the life of the game. I'd rather have beautifully designed set stages than characterless stages built from the same set of preloaded corners.

 

[Wolfe]

Disagree. Your stage did nothing for me regarding extending the life of the game. I'd rather have beautifully designed set stages than characterless stages built from the same set of preloaded corners.

Ideally, Your Stage 2.0 would either have many more corner tiles on maps with more character, or would generate its stages in a more free-form manner, like the procedural generation that was used to create the map in Fuel, but with more polish.

The problem wasn't the format, but limited extent of its development, like everything Codemasters does, IMHO. So thanks, Codemasters, for souring a large crowd of people on an underdeveloped example of the concept and then immediately abandoning it.

 

[JacoJa]

I thought it was really good after a few patches

In that case I'll have to go back and revisit Dirt 4 again to try it out. I think I gave up on it early on, as it was too difficult to drive with no steering feel. Thanks for informing 👍

 

[jake2013guy]

Ideally, Your Stage 2.0 would either have many more corner tiles on maps with more character, or would generate its stages in a more free-form manner, like the procedural generation that was used to create the map in Fuel, but with more polish.

The problem wasn't the format, but limited extent of its development, like everything Codemasters does, IMHO. So thanks, Codemasters, for souring a large crowd of people on an underdeveloped example of the concept and then immediately abandoning it.

Exactly. There's the possibility to create something great, unique and groundbreaking if they improved it. It's an idea with good potential. They just need to realise it and develop it further.

 

[ItGivesYouWings]

I'm exited to hear about Argentina! Last time I saw the real stages from the WRC saga they were very close.

Dirt Rally must be even better!

 

[Silver Arrows]

Exactly. There's the possibility to create something great, unique and groundbreaking if they improved it. It's an idea with good potential. They just need to realise it and develop it further.

Something in which Codemasters, either through lack of desire, or lack of man-power slash ability to advance the tech, is not doing. They probably could have done it with Evolution's help...but of course, they took them out back and shot them right in the head. The EGO engine is antiquated and seriously needs to be phased out. But here we are, saddled with an engine that has long since passed the date of expiration.

Also, this game needs to be less of a science experiment and more of an actual, you know, game. Hopefully the team building elements from D4 make it, alongside the seasons that the original DiRT Rally had. Because frankly, just having a sim experience isn't enough for me to drop $80 CAD new. PCARS 2, for as many faults and infuriating aspects as it had as a sim, at least had a nice way of giving you motivation to go through races, building up towards a goal. Meanwhile, DiRT Rally was simply 'survive long enough to go through the season and then go up to a higher difficulty bracket'. That might be enough for some hardcore sim racers, but it isn't for me, and it certainly isn't enough for a whole lot of people that aren't slavishly devoted to their wheels and sim setups. There needs to be more.

But of course, this is coming from the developer equivalent of firing off a game, supporting it for a couple months, then radio silence. Chances are, DiRT Rally 2.0 is no exception.

 

[Silver Arrows]

also lol at some people who'll ignore interest in a rally game if it doesn't have locations that have been done to death and I've been driving, in some form or another, since I played CMR on PS2 as a kid.

give me something new. give me something different. besides, they can be decent stand ins for those classic locations rally fans wank themselves silly over, alongside being something fresh, relatively new, and different.

 

[OJT6627]

In-Game Replay

 

[Spitfire77]

Seriously hope they add the FOV slider to the console version this time...

 

[jake2013guy]

Also, this game needs to be less of a science experiment and more of an actual, you know, game. Hopefully the team building elements from D4 make it, alongside the seasons that the original DiRT Rally had. Because frankly, just having a sim experience isn't enough for me to drop $80 CAD new. PCARS 2, for as many faults and infuriating aspects as it had as a sim, at least had a nice way of giving you motivation to go through races, building up towards a goal. Meanwhile, DiRT Rally was simply 'survive long enough to go through the season and then go up to a higher difficulty bracket'. That might be enough for some hardcore sim racers, but it isn't for me, and it certainly isn't enough for a whole lot of people that aren't slavishly devoted to their wheels and sim setups. There needs to be more.

Definitely agree. People buy games for them to be enjoyable games. I enjoyed driving DiRT Rally on the limited places they had but it just felt like there was so much more if they focused on it being a game as well. If you took the driving mechanics of DiRT Rally and added the team management and Your Stage of DiRT 4, I think the non-sim guys would have more enjoyment out of your game and have a better game overall.

And then use DiRT 4/5 as an essential DiRT Rally 2.0. Large quantity of cars, exciting game and focused driving as well as an expanded Your Stage.

 

[cbabb]

If you took the driving mechanics of DiRT Rally and added the team management and Your Stage of DiRT 4

This right here. Please CM, don't screw this up. Rally was such a challenge. Despite the lack of any sort of proper career mode, I played for hours. The immersion and the physics made this game so fun.

 

[SestoScudo]

For locations we need Turkey, Kenya who remembers the Safari rally?

Pikes Peak??? For sure that wont come due to GT having the exclusive licence and not even bloody using it which is ridiculous!!

Montecarlo, Sweden and Finland.

So much locations to have but cutting the past ones that were in dirt rally 1 is disappointing.

 

[Bigbazz]

Im super excited they are bringing out the game, not fussed on their dodgy pre-order/deluxe bonus nonsense though.

 

[Rubrbrnr]

Fingers crossed they will manage to get a Toyota licence this time around. Also, the FFB on the T300rs wheel needs to be addressed this time. Don't know if they ever actually fixed this with a patch?

This was the only let-down on the previous two games for me (which were otherwise amazing).

^^what he said. I assume the reference was to the T300 on the PS4. FFB was never properly patched for that version IMO

 

[ScottPuss20]

If this is anywhere near as good as the original, it's a must have for me.

 

[Tak[TEC]]

Lots of good racing game sequels coming out over the next 6 months. With this, ACC, Forza Horizon 4 it seems like it's a really good time for racing games (which you could also say about last year).

 

[MarcoM]

Pikes Peal is just a name. Rather dull stage.

Replay sound was pretty nice with that blow off valve noise .

 

[MXH]

The absence of Your Stage is making me doubtful. If Codemasters goes back to their sham of six locations = six small maps containing one road with a fork, or something like that, that's hardly worth my time even if I pick up the game at a discount. The fact that a developer not known for generous post-release support has promised three extra locations for DLC does not give me hope that each location amounts to much.

I think rally stages are one example where quantity > quality, to a degree. No matter how familiar the tiles in D4 can be when you've seen them all, and in spite of the wonky handling, the thrill of not knowing exactly what's beyond the next crest or corner is what makes it my favorite rally game.

I should point out that I really like the idea behind YourStage. Hell, I was even excited and looking forward to it before D4.

My issue in the end was that YourStage was rather lackluster and lacking in variation. This made it worse since it made up the whole career part of the game in rallying.

I've however changed my mind after D4, regardless of future improvments to YS. If CM ever considers including it in the game once more, it should be a complement to the main game to further pro-long longevity, not the selling point.

 

[Wolfe]

@MXH -- I agree that there ought to be room for both, that there's no reason it has to be one or the other. Though in my opinion there's not as much value in a rally career made up of the same stages over and over. I get where you're coming from but I still don't really get the idea that a fixed list of stages is less repetitive than Your Stage.

 

[SPhilli911]

For locations we need Turkey, Kenya who remembers the Safari rally?

Agree. When's the last time Safari stages have been in a rally game, WRC3 I believe? Though, V-Rally 4 got a Kenya stage, which is pretty great, but I would love to see some African Safari stages in a Dirt game with some Safari prepped cars to go along with it. Like so:

 

[MagpieRacer]

Some more information from Codemasters.

OVER 50 OF THE MOST POWERFUL OFF-ROAD CARS EVER BUILT – Tear through environments with an iconic roster of historic and modern-day rally cars, VW Polo GTI R5, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X & Citroen C3 R5. Also take on the challenging power of the Chevrolet Camaro GTR.4.

• 6 REAL LIFE RALLY LOCATIONS –Take the wheel through the stunning environments of New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Australia and the USA.

• FEEL YOUR RACE – Improved handling, surfaces, fallibility and environments deliver the most authentic and focused off-road experience ever.

• THE OFFICIAL GAME OF THE FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – Race at Barcelona, Montalegre, Mettet, Lohéac Bretagne, Trois-Rivieres, Hell, Holjes and Silverstone in a multitude of different series.

• DEVELOP YOUR OWN TEAM – Create a team, hire your staff and expand your garage of vehicles as you choose.

• TUNING – Tune your vehicle to suit your driving style and environmental characteristics. Alleviate wear and tear by configuring each car’s set-up, and upgrade your parts to ensure your vehicles are ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.

• GET COMPETITIVE – Race the entire DiRT Community in Daily, Weekly and Monthly Challenges, with worldwide leaderboards and events.

Camaro is an interesting addition. Good selection of RX tracks as well and good to see the team aspects of dirt 4 will be present.

 

[Pfei]

This is shaping up like a DiRT Rally 1 DLC. Only six rally locations, pretty much the same cars with a couple new R5s and a Porsche and the Golf, the official RX season is still incomplete, dropping Your Stage and VR, DLC tracks to split the PvP and League user base, hovercraft handling model possibly returning... The only thing new is tire choice and deformable surfaces (which might only be RX). If each location includes 100km of stages I'm in. But if it ends up with only two stages per location as in DR I will probably wait for a sale. I don't play RX as I find Project CARS 2 RX much more enjoyable, and I can't find a way to justify sixty dollars for 280km of rally stages.

It's still early but the release announcement was underwhelming to say the least. I hope they make me eat my hat.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

Poland sounds good, very fast roads and one of the more enjoyable rallies on the WRC games. If we can't have Finland it's the next best thing.

 

[MrCrynox]

This is shaping up like a DiRT Rally 1 DLC. Only six rally locations, pretty much the same cars with a couple new R5s and a Porsche and the Golf, the official RX season is still incomplete, dropping Your Stage and VR, DLC tracks to split the PvP and League user base, hovercraft handling model possibly returning... The only thing new is tire choice and deformable surfaces (which might only be RX). If each location includes 100km of stages I'm in. But if it ends up with only two stages per location as in DR I will probably wait for a sale. I don't play RX as I find Project CARS 2 RX much more enjoyable, and I can't find a way to justify sixty dollars for 280km of rally stages.

It's still early but the release announcement was underwhelming to say the least. I hope they make me eat my hat.

I feel that it's very disappointing that they have dropped the original countries/stages. Why couldn't they have kept & expanded upon the original roaster and given us these new rounds as well ? And yes, considering this is the official WRX game, why not all the rounds ?
Seems very tight to me. For all their talent CM just dont seem to want to deliver, which is odd because we all know what they are capable of.
Personally Im more excited about the prospect of WRC 8 next year.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I feel that it's very disappointing that they have dropped the original countries/stages. Why couldn't they have kept & expanded upon the original roaster and given us these new rounds as well ? And yes, considering this is the official WRX game, why not all the rounds ?
Seems very tight to me. For all their talent CM just dont seem to want to deliver, which is odd because we all know what they are capable of.
Personally Im more excited about the prospect of WRC 8 next year.

It's difficult for those of us who aren't game designers and programmers to understand these decisions. Any chance of sharing with us the ease of designing and building a new game?