With a glutton of race titles available to buy on the Xbox, what could make this game stand out from the rest of the pack and start in pole position on the grid and take the chequered flag. To start with, this is off road racing unlike Project Gotham Racing 2, which is street racing, and TOCA, which is mainly track. So there is your market. OK, I can hear you cry out “What about Colin McRae Rally?” the answer to that simple question is, Live Enabled.

Rallisport 2 features several game modes including Career, Single Race, Time Attack, Multiplayer and Instant Action. It also features five unique rally race modes – Rally, Rally Cross, Ice Racing, Hill climb and Crossover. The main objective within this game is to race in Career mode which will enable you to unlock tracks and cars which than can be used in Live. There are more than 40 cars to race with, including Hyundai Accent WRC, Renault Megane Maxi, Volvo 440T, Ford GT70 and the Suzuki Aerio P950.

Whilst competing you are able to tweak your car to maximise performance by modifying your tyres, dampers, break balance, steering and gear ratio to match the race conditions of the track. Personally, for the first two career levels, you won’t need to make any modifications, as the default settings will see you sail through the AI competitors with ease.

Graphics & Control:

The main outstanding feature in this game is it graphics. Each track has been brought to life with such amazing detail, that it really takes your breath away. There are more breakable objects and numerous on track hazards like water, mud holes and potholes. Even the surfaces feel right whilst tearing around in your car with each one causing your car to react differently, from the constant sliding on the Ice Tracks to the stick like glue tarmac surfaces. Dust particles, snow flurries and water spray can be another obstacle thrown up from the rear tyres of the car in front and depending on what view you choose can cause even more mayhem to your driving. The last obstacle to affect your car is the self-inflicted damage caused when you crash into barriers, trees, rocks etc. From broken windows to scratches in the paint to missing hoods, all these can seen and the updated graphics engine comes complete with damage modelling and performance degradation. You will be able to loosen bumpers, spoilers and rear mirrors until they eventually dangle and fall off your car, leaving behind a trail of debris and parts for you to avoid on the next lap.

Unlike TOCA, the controls for Rallisport 2 is more towards arcade than simulation with the car turning left or right as if there was a pole stuck right through the centre of the car. This may be your cup of tea and prefer the handling this way and after awhile you tend not to notice as you push the car to its limits, sliding around hairpin corners, hand braking at u-turns and slowing down on tight bends.

Sound:

This is where I feel the game has been let down. The cars sound like a fly is buzzing constantly near your ear, never like an engine being revved to the extreme. The co-driver instructions are precise but sometimes are drowned out by the constant whine of the engine. I know that if this was real, you might have trouble hearing your co-driver but this game has been fashioned more towards arcade and this shouldn’t be a problem. Cars scraping past each other, flipping over and crashing into obstacles have no real impact to the sound you hear, or just don’t stand out enough to realise. Sorry, but I was not impressed.

Longevity:

With the inclusion of LIVE and being an XSN sport brand title, you will find many hours spent offline completing the tracks and unlocking cars to compete with the very best around the world. Than after you have done that, you could always create your own league using XSN. The life span of this game is unlimited or until the next racing game comes out.

Round up:

Overall this game is a good buy and a welcomed addition to anyone’s collection even if they already own TOCA or PGR2. If you are still not sure, rent it out but I think you might run out of time before you finish this game and get tired with it online.

Pros:

• LIVE Enabled.
  
• Track graphics.
  

  Cons:
  

  • Sound
    
  • Unlock faster cars for LIVE offline first.