DiRT 4

[TCrouch]

This game is trash!

Mainly, because I can't play it yet.

[pk500]

DIRT 4 is down to $40 for Day One edition at Gamestop:

https://www.cheapassgamer.com/topic/363 ... -gamestop/

Great for consumers, but not a great sign for Codemasters for the newly released edition of one of its flagship franchises to be discounted so heavily a day after its release.

I'm guessing pre-orders fell well below expectations. There's very little buzz online about this title despite the solid reviews. DSP and OS are relatively quiet, as is Reddit and GameFAQs. Plus this is the first game I've ever pre-ordered for pickup from my local Best Buy, and the store didn't come through with the game on release day.

Something doesn't smell right here.

[10spro]

I am enjoying the game. It's like the Forza Horizon to the Forza series, drive it as you like it. There's a bit of the arcade style, there's definitely a Sim side but at the same time more forgiving than Rally. Throw in the pretty graphics, the solid gameplay and if it's sold at $40 down South I would definitely pick it up. It's just that vacation mode, enjoy the warm weather, that may steer away the gamers at this time of the year, but it's a solid racer.

[dbdynsty25]

I am enjoying the game. It's like the Forza Horizon to the Forza series, drive it as you like it. There's a bit of the arcade style, there's definitely a Sim side but at the same time more forgiving than Rally. Throw in the pretty graphics, the solid gameplay and if it's sold at $40 down South I would definitely pick it up. It's just that vacation mode, enjoy the warm weather, that may steer away the gamers at this time of the year, but it's a solid racer.

You think the graphics are good? Eeesh. Outside of the car models, everything else is pretty last gen IMO...especially when you watch the replays. Just drive through water one time. Yikes.

40 bucks sounds about right for this one...just after release. Pity I spent 60 on the digital version. Ugh.

[10spro]

I am enjoying the game. It's like the Forza Horizon to the Forza series, drive it as you like it. There's a bit of the arcade style, there's definitely a Sim side but at the same time more forgiving than Rally. Throw in the pretty graphics, the solid gameplay and if it's sold at $40 down South I would definitely pick it up. It's just that vacation mode, enjoy the warm weather, that may steer away the gamers at this time of the year, but it's a solid racer.

You think the graphics are good? Eeesh. Outside of the car models, everything else is pretty last gen IMO...especially when you watch the replays. Just drive through water one time. Yikes.

40 bucks sounds about right for this one...just after release. Pity I spent 60 on the digital version. Ugh.

While I definitely didn't buy this game based on visuals alone, there are parts where you race under fog and it's a just beautiful experience. Under the sun, some of the foliage may look rather flat and over lit especially with my HDR TV. In the end it may lack some of the sharpness from its peers, but I wouldn't it call it last gen.

I am enjoying the rally mode a lot and I hardly if at all go thru the replays. I payed $60 CAD for the digital version, where games usually go for $80 in this neck of the woods and I am content with that.

[DChaps]

So far I have only played on the Xbox One version, and at least with the Thrustmaster TX wheel and no assists, full simulation settings, DiRT 4 feels very similar to me in the handling/physics. I am not an expert on these things, but they are both very hard with no assists and full simulation turned on. I am guessing I have not played it long enough to unlock, but I can't figure out how to make Nicky Grist my co-driver, nor have I been able to find the custom track stuff. Need to spend more time with it.

Have not compared the PC versions yet, but by far the biggest thing that stood out to me when I was doing my back to back comparisons of the physics between DiRT Rally and DiRT 4 is the step down in graphics. DiRT Rally seems far better from a graphics standpoint. That was surprising to me. The reviews below all seem to be praising the graphics, but a Reddit review seemed to describe more of what I am seeing, although I don't know that I would call the graphics 360 level.

PS - I have already had 2 stages that took me over 10 minutes to complete, so that is cool!

xbox achievements - 90
http://www.xboxachievements.com/game/dirt-4/review/

IGN - 9.2/10
http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/06/dirt-4-review

GameSpot - 9/10
https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dirt-4 ... 0-6416693/

Trusted Reviews - 8/10
http://www.trustedreviews.com/dirt-4-review

ars technica
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/06/ ... ifficulty/

DiRT 4, as seen by average DiRT Rally player
https://www.reddit.com/r/dirtgame/comme ... ly_player/

"What happened?

DiRT Rally on Xbox One looks top-notch but DiRT 4 looks more like a mid-cycle Xbox 360 title than a step up. Textures are ridiculously low-res, leaving trees feeling fake and the ground completely flat and lifeless. The driving itself feels great but it always has, it's just very disappointing that the world around it is so barren and awful looking as to distract almost entirely from the experience."

[Rodster]

DChaps, in order to make Nicky your co-driver you have to start your team and sign him to a contract. To create stages you need to go to "Freeplay" to generate a track. I found the whole thing cumbersome trying to access the track the game generated.

[TCrouch]

Got it on PS4 to put a little time into it prior to it releasing on PC...only to find out that my Fanatec Clubsport V2 wheelbase won't work with it because Sony and Fanatec are still in some sort of pissing match. Ridiculous.

So I played around with the controller like a heathen. With all assists off, it's a good enough challenge that way, but definitely easier than Dirt Rally. You don't have to deal with the weight transfer as much as you do in DR. You can get away with a lot of crap that DR would put you in a tree for doing. Late turn-ins, mid-corner adjustments, etc.

I will enjoy sinking a lot of time into it with the wheel, but even with a controller it's very driveable from the cockpit camera with no assists and sim handling.

[sportdan30]

Only played about a half hour but very much am liking what I've experienced. I love the new addition of Arcade as I'm not a gear head in the least. Being able to screw around in free roam is a nice addition and reminds me a bit of FH. And maybe perhaps I'll upgrade to Simulation in the coming months.

There seems to be a bit more of a progression to the game which I prefer. It feels more complete.

I don't find the graphics to be that of a downgrade, although I haven't played Dirt Rally in a month.

I'm loving the variety of the different tracks and modes. This will get a lot of play over the course of the next year.

[Teal]

Dirt Rally kicks my ass, and leaves me in a puddle of my own tears and piss...lol. I simply will never get 'good' at that game. Dirt 4 sounds like my range, more of the FH style, less of the Dungeon of Doom... . I LOVE Dirt Rally, I do, but my poor car and co-driver have to hate me. However, I've amassed a backlog, so I may not get it any time soon.

[pk500]

The DIRT 4 deals at Gamestop ($39.99 yesterday) and Amazon ($43 yesterday) are over. Price is up to $60 at GS and $50 at Amazon.

So like David Lee Roth would have sang on Van Halen's "1984" album if he was a tightass gamer, "I'll wait ... 'til your price comes down."

Perfectly content with DIRT Rally -- LOVE that game.

[AcemanPR]

I've gotten a couple nights with Dirt 4 in so will provide some initial impressions. And I do have Dirt Rally and played a ton of that game so I can make some comparisons between the two.

First and foremost, before you start playing Dirt 4, it asks if you want to play in "Gamer" or "Simulation". I chose Simulation. From there, you run a short rally in Michigan then can select the level of difficulty you want to play (There are 4 levels, the last one being locked). I chose the middle of the three available, which I believe is Pro.

I dove into the career and things are very limited at first. You run a quick C class rally. Then you earn a sponsor, a B class license, money, all that stuff that goes in a career mode. Once you get to the R3 series, you are now signing a crew and have the ability to buy new cars, even used cars from the Classifieds. Just know if you see something you like in the Classifieds, better purchase it then because it may not be there the next time.

As far as the graphics, Dirt 4 is a very good looking game. However I still give the edge to Dirt Rally as far as how the tracks look. Also, the tracks in Dirt Rally seem more authentic than the tracks in Dirt 4. I don't understand why Codemasters would ship Dirt 4 with only 5 rally locations when Dirt Rally has 6. Ultimately I think that could hurt sales, Dirt 4 should have also shipped with locations in Finland, Greece, and somewhere like Italy/France/Germany. The framerate in Dirt 4 is definitely fluid and runs at 60 FPS and haven't experienced any hiccups at all!

Handling of the cars in Dirt 4 feels excellent. I would even say that the cars control better in Dirt 4 over the ones in Dirt Rally. There is definitely a solid sense of weight to the cars and I am able to take the corners with ease. Dirt 4 is certainly a little more forgiving than Dirt Rally, but by no means is it easy. You can easily lose control of a car if you land a jump wrong and immediately stomp on the gas. I've rolled my car plenty of times, punctured a couple tires.

It's nice to see Racenet working and the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly events in Dirt 4. It's very similar to the same setup in Dirt Rally. Run an event, then you'll get placed in one of 4 tiers and your payout will be figured out based on how well you performed against the rest of the community.

I've been busy with the career mode, I haven't had a chance to try out the "Your Stage" mode which generates different tracks in an environment but should get to over the weekend.

Overall, I'm pleased with what I have played in Dirt Rally 4. I'm more pleased with getting it for $42 dollars than $60 though. This game should have been sold at $40 out of the gate, and I fully expect this to drop to that price point in the next month. Once it does, it is a solid addition to any racing fans library. Like I said, I think the biggest mistake was that Codies should have shipped this with 8 rally locations. Maybe they will have some different locations in the future, hopefully for free, but I am not going to hold my breath on it.

[tjung0831]

Well it appears there is some discrepancy here in terms of graphics. Aceman says it looks great, someone else said it looks like a 360 game. We can't possibly have a noticeable difference of that magnitude. I'm a graphics whore and i'm relying on some of you blind bastards to get the comments about the graphics right!

[10spro]

Well it appears there is some discrepancy here in terms of graphics. Aceman says it looks great, someone else said it looks like a 360 game. We can't possibly have a noticeable difference of that magnitude. I'm a graphics whore and i'm relying on some of you blind bastards to get the comments about the graphics right!

I thought they were quite pretty, not necessarily Rally material but definitely not last Gen as DB was quoting. Hey, I need my progressive glasses to play games but trust me, they are really not too shabby at all. Particularly the weather effects and it's physics are rather convincing while the trees that pop up at you may look a bit bland. Most other reviews would agree too.

But in the end, I bought this game for its rally sim modes, a fine racer at that and while at it, the visuals haven't disappointed me one bit, hardly any eyesores.

[DChaps]

I am constantly amazed at the ability of the Pretend Race Cars website to pump out unbelievably detailed and comprehensive reviews of sim racing titles, and to do so in a quick fashion. I don't always agree with the extreme level of criticism, but it is always back by facts and figures. Anyway, they already have their first draft review of DiRT 4 and so far I would agree that this review gives a pretty fair assessment of the positives and negatives. There was too much hype, too much expectation for this game. DiRT Rally was such a surprise with literally no hype and no notice prior to its beta release, and it was so good and just got better. I just wished they would have continued to add DLC and little fixes/updates to the league modes, grab some new licenses, etc. We really didn't need a whole new game. Check out the whole review here, but the summary gives a fair rating:

https://pretendracecars.net/2017/06/08/ ... of-dirt-4/

Summarizing DiRT 4 is a very difficult task, because there are two distinct schools of thought when it comes to the title.

On one hand, it’s a game that’s certainly worthy of the DiRT 4 namesake. There’s a distinct variety in the experience that’s comparable to the previous three entries in the franchise; you’re jumping around from Baja trucks, to rallycross cars, to modern rally offerings, and then even taking in some Gymkhana for a laugh, all within the span of an hour. The driving physics are tight, the graphics jaw-dropping, there’s tons of multiplayer functionality for both competitive and leisure play, it’s got a career mode only the snobbiest of hardcore simulation nerds could get upset with (“I just want to race, I don’t have time for that sponsorship management s***”, they cry), and the whole experience is wrapped up in a beautiful presentation that fits naturally with the rest of the franchise. Codemasters have built something that is a perfect addition to the trilogy of DiRT games.

However, for all it gets right, there are very distinct blemishes. After a stellar outing in DiRT Rally, the cars now feel noticeably too simple to drive despite their claims that the hardcore handling would be here to stay. Your Stage works as a piece of technology – there’s no goofy 100 foot jumps due to a glitch in the coding – but it’s arguably more repetitive than fixed stages given the limited amount of chunks Codemasters gave it to work with, so in execution it’s something we’ll have to wait for DiRT 5 to be truly refined to the extent we’d imagined. The car roster, after the WRC and other developers have started to play hardball, leaves much to be desired; the lack of a modern “pinnacle” class, as well as generic LandRush trucks and tracks in a sea of world-renowned brands, stick out like sore thumbs. Also, five environments and a field of AI bots this pathetically average certainly aren’t enough for a world rally championship, and in a mass display of cognitive dissonance, I’m left wanting a comprehensive post-release DLC plan because of it.

But as a $60 game, weighing the pros against the cons and then back again, there is certainly still enough here to justify your purchase, and it fits naturally into the Codemasters DiRT franchise. As a racing game, and as a DiRT game, it’s phenomenal, yet it could have been so, so much better.

[dbdynsty25]

Well it appears there is some discrepancy here in terms of graphics. Aceman says it looks great, someone else said it looks like a 360 game. We can't possibly have a noticeable difference of that magnitude. I'm a graphics whore and i'm relying on some of you blind bastards to get the comments about the graphics right!

It looks crappy next to Dirt Rally...and professional reviewers also said it looked 360ish.

I'm just saying...not what I expected 2 years after Rally came out. Thought they'd be similar, or even better w/ D4. Not the case. Rally looks better all around.

[DChaps]

Played a lot more DiRT 4 over the weekend and the career mode is enjoyable. I have it set to the next to highest AI challenge and I am not winning rallies, but then again I am not very good. Someone like Terry or Adam will probably crush the AI on the highest level, which is one of the early complaints. I can also say that while the graphics are not terrible, it is definitely a step down from DiRT Rally, at least on Xbox One.

There is just not a lot that would have me playing this long term over DiRT Rally, however, the one thing I was really looking forward to from the product specs (see links below), was the updates to leagues and cross-platform leader boards, which I can find nothing about and no info in game or on the DiRT 4 website. Hopefully coming soon. The leagues were a nice addition in DiRT Rally, but there were so many little things that could have been done so much better (like not making your whole Rally League history and leaderboard vanish from the web as soon as your rally is over).

Next generation of RaceNet - Live ladder, leagues and tournaments, cross-platform leader boards, enhanced CREST telemetry system

https://www.amazon.com/DiRT-4-Day-One-X ... SU6W9?th=1

http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/ ... uctDetails

http://store.steampowered.com/app/421020/DiRT_4/

[Rodster]

The game looks decent and I have NO complaints on the PS4. Will wait for the Steam sale for this.

[WPatrick]

I'm finding the career mode and team management addictive. Played all day long Father's Day.
Dirt 4 has that one more race, I need more money for my race team feel that NASCAR Dirt to Daytona and World of Outlaws had. I've only had the game 3 days. I'm not saying it's as good as those two games.......but I'm really enjoying it.

[sportdan30]

I'm finding the career mode and team management addictive. Played all day long Father's Day.
Dirt 4 has that one more race, I need more money for my race team feel that NASCAR Dirt to Daytona and World of Outlaws had. I've only had the game 3 days. I'm not saying it's as good as those two games.......but I'm really enjoying it.

Agree 100 percent. This game is really fun to play! This might be my favorite racer that isn't the Forza Horizon series.

[Sudz]

might have to pick this one up as we are in the summer lull...

[Gangrel]

Is anyone still playing? I played a bit and the some Rally right after, and I find Rally a much smoother, better, and I think even better graphically.

Is it just me?

[dbdynsty25]

Is anyone still playing? I played a bit and the some Rally right after, and I find Rally a much smoother, better, and I think even better graphically.

Is it just me?

You think the graphics are good? Eeesh. Outside of the car models, everything else is pretty last gen IMO...especially when you watch the replays. Just drive through water one time. Yikes.

Nope, not just you. Rally is quite a bit better in ALL regards. Handling, graphics, etc. Still playing D4 however because it's still a Dirt game and it's fun.

[DChaps]

Played a lot more DiRT 4 over the weekend and the career mode is enjoyable. I have it set to the next to highest AI challenge and I am not winning rallies, but then again I am not very good. Someone like Terry or Adam will probably crush the AI on the highest level, which is one of the early complaints. I can also say that while the graphics are not terrible, it is definitely a step down from DiRT Rally, at least on Xbox One.

There is just not a lot that would have me playing this long term over DiRT Rally, however, the one thing I was really looking forward to from the product specs (see links below), was the updates to leagues and cross-platform leader boards, which I can find nothing about and no info in game or on the DiRT 4 website. Hopefully coming soon. The leagues were a nice addition in DiRT Rally, but there were so many little things that could have been done so much better (like not making your whole Rally League history and leaderboard vanish from the web as soon as your rally is over).

Next generation of RaceNet - Live ladder, leagues and tournaments, cross-platform leader boards, enhanced CREST telemetry system

https://www.amazon.com/DiRT-4-Day-One-X ... SU6W9?th=1

http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-one/games/ ... uctDetails

http://store.steampowered.com/app/421020/DiRT_4/

From what I can tell, there is still nothing official from Codemasters on when this much touted feature above is coming or what the improvements are. Very disappointing almost a month after release. This is a main bullet point on all of their marketing for the game. So far DiRT 4 has been a big let down for me personally. It's not a bad game, but it's just not better than DiRT Rally and the improvements that were touted either just aren't there (handling, physics, graphics), or just are not great in implementation (stage creator - random stages all actually feel almost the same).

[pk500]

I doubt DIRT 4 is lighting up the sales charts, either. Already down to $49.99 at Gamestop and Best Buy, and it's $39.99 for Gamers Club Unlocked members at Best Buy.

I'm glad I resisted the urge to buy DIRT 4 and stuck with DIRT Rally. I don't play games nearly as much during the summer -- much busier with work, much more time outdoors -- so it was an easier decision. If this game was released during the winter, my resistance may have crumbled.

Codemasters is such an confounding developer, at times. For every gem such as recent F1 games and DIRT Rally, it sometimes seems like it's submitting to commercial pressures and drops trash like GRID and DIRT Showdown, and middling games like DIRT 4.

I get it: Studios must make money. But the swerve in titles is jarring when you follow an all-time great racing game such as TOCA 3 -- still one of the five best racing titles I've ever played -- with the horrific GRID series and perhaps the greatest console rally game of all time in DIRT Rally with a middling sim-cade game like DIRT 4.

What does Codemasters want to be? A developer and publisher of quality sims or a peddler of arcadish, watered-down racing games? A very schizophrenic outfit.