Whether managing to pull off that perfect handbrake turn around a tight corner or nimbly squeeze past a formidable first-place opponent seconds before crossing the finish line,Dirt 5is a game that revels in making players feel like a master behind the wheel. Races are fun-focused, action-packed affairs where players are encouraged to put their foot to the floor and drift spectacularly around the track, while driving controls are just tight enough to allow for the thrill of narrowly pulling off a skillful maneuver when it’s needed most.
To someDirtveterans, this fun-first focus will make this the best entry in the series to date; to fans of the franchise’s more serious outings, its sense of simplicity could turn them away. But, to the thousands of new fans flocking to the arcade racerin the coming weeks to witness its promise of a truly next-generation showcase, the most crucial part ofDirt 5’sapproach is that it’s wonderfully accessible. From the game’s smooth, gratifying control scheme to its series of gorgeous globe-trotting tracks,Codemastershas built a wholly fun racing game here. One that’s infinitely enjoyable no matter whether you’re a genre aficionado or just somebody popping in to see what all the fuss is about.
RELATED:Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Dirt 5
To fans of the series, the moment to moment gameplay ofDirt 5is instantly recognizable. Loosely guided by two podcast hosts (endearingly voiced byTroy Baker and Nolan North), the game doesn’t waste much time launching players into the action, hitting them with an impromptu warm-up race before offering three modes: Campaign, Arcade, and the brand new Playgrounds mode.
For most players, the game’s Campaign will be their first stop, and luckily it’s pretty good at knowing what takes precedent. Following some short tutorials, it thrusts some stunning maps players' way and lets them get stuck intoDirt 5’saction without any needless fanfare. Players select a map, pick a car, and get started. Early on, the majority of these races will stick to the basics, offering courses that can be conquered by quick rally cars able to effortlessly drift around corners and large trucks able to cut through tough terrain.
While that might sound like a simple start, it works wonders at introducing new players to what makesDirt’sdriving so thoroughly enjoyable. Cars fight back against the player as they drive at hurtling speeds down long straights, and while the vehicles definitely don’t handle as realistically as those from theDirty Rallyseries, there’s very little as satisfying as perfecting the exact angle and speed needed to cruise through a corner. The sound design is phenomenal too, as the thunderous revving of engines gives every car some much-needed audible grunt. It’s through these first sets of races that Codemasters shows off exactly what it’s learned over the years, offering confident and slick controls alongside an engaging and reactive driving experience.
As players learn more about how to handle the game’s courses, more of its content opens up, with new cars unlocking, fresh tracks becoming available, and exhilarating showdowns entering the mix. This also facilitates moving to new regions and battling other racers on a variety of different terrains.
Featuring snow-covered mountain tops, dusty canyons, and even vivid jungles,the variety of locations present inDirt 5is like no other racing game on the market. But these aren’t just for show; driving on each surface comes with its own challenges, as icy paths send cars sliding around corners, tarmacked roads allow for faster speeds, and mud can easily lead to spinning out if approached at the wrong angle. Through the early hours ofDirt 5,learning how to overcome these challenges makes besting every course an exciting feat, especially as it regularly serves up exciting new curveballs.
It helps that these tracks are utterly stunning as well, withDirt 5likely standing as one of the most beautiful racing games ever committed to console. From the way the breathtaking lighting effects bounce off of cars and particles of dirt realistically splatter over surfaces, to how weather effects illuminate or obscure the tracks in real-time,Dirt 5’sdetail-rich environments are breathtaking even on current generation hardware.Players can also adjust graphical preferences in the menu, opting to focus on frame rate or resolution, which is a nice touch.
Unfortunately, once the shine of the visuals and the excitement of tackling new terrain subsides,Dirt 5does begin to show its cracks. The game simply doesn’t have much to keep things fresh after bashing through a decent amount of the campaign. Cars don’t offer much depth outside of whether they handle better or boast higher speeds and, once the knack behind navigating a certain terrain has been nailed down, there’s not much left to master. Naturally, that’s the cost of an arcade-style racer that wants to bring aboard as many new players as possible, but it does mean thatDirt 5’sinitially exciting gameplaycanget old in its later hours.
To add to that, gaining currency is far too easy for its own good, meaning players never have to struggle to buy themselves a competition-crushing car that outpaces the competition. Granted,the variety of vehicles on offer is astoundingand the rate at whichDirt 5allows players to unlock them gives way to a lot of experimentation without the need to grind. However, it often feels like there’s little incentive to persevere through a tough race when a faster, slicker car is easily purchasable with little effort needed.
Away from the Campaign Mode, Arcade Mode acts as expected, offering a fairly standard exhibition-type alternative. The section diverges into two options: standard races and frantic time trials. Both offer players a pretty wide suite of options they can use to tailor the experience to their liking. The weather can be changed, the time of day can be altered, and the type of cars occupying the track can be modified. Although it does little more to really stand out, it’s a decent mode that does a good job of allowing players to create whatever race they’re feeling in the moment.
The final option isPlaygrounds Mode, one ofDirt 5’snew features and an admittedly fun one at that. As billed in the lead up to release, it acts as an expansive toolbox that lets players create the wildest tracks possible, whether that’s jammed full of ramps, death-defying leaps of faith, or looping pipes. It’s sure to attract theDirtfanbase’s most creative community members in the coming months, with its suite of options opening up the flood gates for wild and wacky ideas. To make things even better, players are also not limited to only making race tracks, with Playgrounds allowing for other game types to be allocated to creations.
RELATED:Dirt 5 Saves Won’t Transfer From PS4 to PS5
It’s a solid mode that adds to what is, undeniably, a very polished racing game that focuses primarily on enjoyment and never compromises in achieving that goal. Ultimately, that’s the big takeaway fromDirt 5.While most consoles launch with a glamorous yet straight-faced racing game that mostly acts as a glitzy tech demo, it strays away from that sense of formality from the offset.
Instead, it seems the idea here was to make an accessible, stunning, and fun-focused racinggame that opens the door to new players asthe next generationbegins, and in that regard,Dirt 5knocks it out of the park. Its driving is exceptionally precise, making players feel like a master behind the wheel, while the sheer variety of gorgeous, globe-hopping tracks with treacherous terrain to conquer creates a wonderfully diverse gameplay experience. It runs out of steam towards the end of its campaign and lacks much meaningful vehicle progression, but on the whole, this is one of Codemasters' most confident racing packages to date.
Dirt 5is out now on PS4 & Xbox One, and will be available on November 10 for Xbox Series X|S, November 12 for PS5, and 2021 for Google Stadia. Game Rant was provided a PS4 code for this review.
Dirt 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Let LooseWhilst respecting the heritage and retaining the DNA of the franchise, DIRT 5 writes a new chapter in the legacy of DIRT – bolder and braver than ever before. New features, new innovations and a fresh approach make DIRT 5 a hub of off-road racing, style and culture, where you can constantly create highlight-reel moments.Blaze a Trail Across the GlobeTake a trip around the world to and race on over 70+ unique routes across 10 different global locations in stunning, dynamic environments. From racing on the frozen East River in New York, to under the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, to shining by the Northern Lights at Norway, take on opponents, the terrain and extreme, everchanging conditions.Push The Limits with Incredible CarsGet behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars. Conquer the toughest of terrain with boulder-beating machines, take iconic rally cars to new locations, or feel the power of 900bhp sprint cars. Rallycross, GT, unlimited trucks, buggies and muscle cars complete the ultimate off-road garage.
