Having played for around 6 hours, I thought I’d give my thoughts on V Rally 4.
I really enjoyed WRC7 & hoped this would feel similar in terms of handling, I would say it does feel familiar but at the same time different. It is looser, more tail happy although I have only driven, (in Rally events), the RWD Mk1/2 Escorts so it`s probably quite correct to be so tail happy compared to the modern day machinery in WRC7. At first I struggled with this until I turned the steering sensitivity right down to one from the end, practiced a bit then I soon got dialled in. I am playing with a controller so cannot comment on wheel & pedal use.
Aside from the rallying physics the game definitely leans toward the arcade side of the spectrum, (which is totally fine by me), the rest of the events, Hill climb, Buggies, Extreme-Khana & Rally Cross are all great fun.
The game seems to have a lot of content spread across the different categories with so far, a seemingly endless amount of stages/tracks/variations. I`ve heard there is a stage generator too but I’m yet to experience it.
The graphics are top notch, a step above WRC7 for sure. The car models are quite basic but the stages feel alive and are brimming with detail. Kylotonn`s stage creating skills were no fluke with WRC7, they are pretty awesome here too. I`m pleased to say EPIC stages are present too.
Sound is good, not as good as DR, but definitely decent. Engine/brake/gravel & ambient sounds are good but initially there was some horrible, (for me), rap music playing nonstop on a loop on the world map screen, (where you spend quite a lot of time), which was a shame as I had to turn off all music to mute it, but happily since a recent update its now been changed and is, well, Ok.
Without waffling too much more here’s my summary:
Positives:
- Rally discipline is well done with some amazing locales, (my favs are Malaysia, Africa, Sequoia Park, Canada).
- Great graphics & amazing scenery
- Impulse triggers, (Xbox), are utilised
- Decent content
- All disciplines are fun
- Replays are better than WRC7 showing far more of the car driving through the stage
Negatives:
- Inconsistent AI difficulty, (some stages are easy to win, others are can be very challenging
- Liveries are a missed opportunity, especially on the rally cars, just 2 liveries for each which are mostly meh. Why couldn’t we have proper time
period liveries ?
- The game was far too expensive at launch & the DLC especially so.
- Replays are still showing poor views, ie too much of the side of the RHS/LHS A & B post of the car.
Nit picking:
- Music pretty crap
- No option, (again), to display MPH
- Cars needing to be upgraded before feeling good
- Car headlights, (again), not the source of the lights. If you don’t know what I mean watch a replay.
Overall another great rally game. I feel that I’m going to be playing this for quite a while & hopefully my little review may have convinced others to take the plunge, despite the mixed opinions/reviews.