Colin McRae Rally 04

The latest incarnation in the now long-standing and respectable Colin McRae series once again outperforms itself to offer an even better rally racing experience.

So what if the real Colin McRae hasn?t been crowned champion of the World Rally Championship since 1995? In the virtual world, his rally racing series gets better with each release, constantly earning him champion of off-road action. Number four improves many aspects of its predecessor, resulting in, once again, a near perfect drive.

The Big Mac
Rally racing is perhaps the black sheep of the speed world. You don?t drive in circles, you compete against the clock, and you have a navigator sitting next to you. The true challenge is maneuvering on ruggedly narrow roads that twist and curve through mountains, forests, and canyons in all types of weather conditions. It?s a hair-raising experience fit for any outdoor racing fan.

This year?s McRae Rally finally makes you more accountable for the damage taken to your car. Slide too much, and your tires can blow. Dent the body, and the aerodynamics are shot. Scrape too low to the ground, and small rocks will stop you in your tracks. A limited amount of time to fix car ailments as well as determining vehicle adjustments that can shave off seconds create a more realistic feel to the game. The gas-guzzlers?there?s a good selection of two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, and classic-but-now-banned cars to choose from?all perform well, too. Just be prepared to slip and slide if you?re not used to drifting through turns.

Talk Dirty to Me
Visually, Rally 04 looks much better than in previous versions. The environments are more detailed with a special attention to realistic road conditions, such as variations of mud, gravel, asphalt, and snow. Cars slowly get grimy as you progress, and vehicle damage looks genuine. The sounds, though sparse, add to the game?s authentic experience. Your navigator steadily calls out the road bumps ahead, while the constant hum of the engine never goes off-key.

Rally 04 has some minor setbacks , though. Although the game carries the name of a real rally racer, none of the tracks are real, and it doesn?t feel like you?re racing in a rally championship where you?d see crowds of spectators on every side cheering you on. Some stages seem bland and without depth, too. Still, these are all just minor grievances. They can be easily overlooked, especially if you?re paying only $20 for this quality racing game

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