Rally racing is extremely hot right now with gamers. Even Gran Turismo 2 added a rally racing feature. Collin McRae Rally was doing huge numbers for developer Codemasters in the UK, So Sony thought of it as a good investment to import it over here.
This is good news for us since Collin McRae Rally turns out be an outstanding game. Rally Champion, Collin McRae's first game originally came out a year and a half before it made its USA debut.
Collin McRae the game is like a child with imaginary friends. You don't see your rally competitors, but they are there. Its like a whole game of time trials, beat your last time and you move up a notch in position. This may sound boring to some, who have played arcade style rally racers like Rally Cross with obvious visible foes. Collin McRae makes it fun, and addicting.
Graphics are heavily detailed. Right down to the rims and the mud that splatters on to the bumper. Damage is minimal, some cracked windows is about the extent of it. Little pop-up in these detailed back drops keeps your eyes on the road and you mind concentrated on winning.
Sound quality is good. Engines sound real enough, and the directions are calm and helpful. The true British accents in all the narration gives this game some genuine class.
The best part of the whole Collin McRae Rally experience is the control. This game really puts you in the seat of a rally race. Train in the Rally School feature to perfect your road handling.
Collin McRae Rally may not be the ideal racing game for most fans of the sport, but this is a true simulator. V-Rally 2 and Rally Cross are both great games, but if this is the extent your experience, your missing a whole other side to the rally race.
PUBLISHER: CODEMASTERS / SONY
GRAPHICS: 8 MUSIC & SOUND: 6.5 CONTROL: 9
SECRETS: 7 ORIGINALITY: 7 FUN & REPLAY: 8
Play just a little of this game and it will have you begging for more. OVERALL: 8.5