Please note, this is a hands on experience review and not our final review of this product. Code of games played at the X01 event may not be final.

Where did RalliSport Challenge pop up from? There had to be a rally title for the Xbox and we were all looking to the recent announcement from Codemasters and hoping for a Colin Mc Rae title Or Microids Master Rallye or even maybe Rally Trophy which has recently been announced by JoWood. Then as if by magic came RalliSport Challenge. This has got to be one of the best-kept secrets ever (or at least to my knowledge), in development from Digital Illusions RalliSport Challenge is quite simply the best looking Rally games to date.

RalliSport Challenge aims to deliver a unique experience by combining four different types of Rally competitions into one solid game package: Hill Climb, World Rally Championships, RallyCross & ‘Oh Yes’ Ice Racing. Unfortunately there are no licensed drivers featured within the game but Peter Wong (Program Manager) explained “the focus of the game is on you being the driver rather than you trying to be a driver” the game does boast 25 licensed vehicles including some B group cars, Authentically recorded sound effects, Licensed music sound tracks which are still to be revealed & real damage to vehicles although not to the detail of Colin Mc Rae 2 where parts fall off the car this is just deformation damage of the vehicle cosmetics.

The damage sustained will affect the vehicles speed and handling capabilities and points will be lost for smashing up your vehicle although no garage system has been implemented so although you loose points and don’t gain any for smashing your car up come the start of the next race she’s all prepped up and ready to go like a new born baby.

Each vehicle is amazingly recreated with most official livery’s being included within the look of the cars, the textures and scenery are of superb levels of details and each and every bush, tree rock is individually modelled and placed in it’s position. The grass flicking around as you tank by at 100+ MPH is utterly amazing as was this whole game.

Fairly simple and familiar controls with left trigger brake, right trigger accelerate and X hand brake so pick up and play is fairly simple, the cars are all created to represent each vehicles own handling and power traits so choice of vehicle is ever important. Racing through the desert as I did the dust thrown fro my wheels as the fought for traction as I Hand Braked it around the next corner were truly stunning and this for a first time attempt at the Genre sets some pretty high standards for the Kings of the Rally Thrown Codemasters (should they decide to bring Colin to Xbox)

The game supports 1 – 4 player slip screen and does not offer and multi-player options for on-line but who knows for the sequel!!! This was one of the stars of the X01 event and I personally can not wait to get the full version up and running.

Main Game Features:

• Four distinctly different types of rallying, all in one game - Race to the clouds in the Hill climb events. Navigate rough country roads in WRC- style rallies. Fight for pole position in the bumper-to-bumper Rallycross and Ice racing championships.

• More than 25 famous rally cars –Licensed vehicles from manufacturers like Audi, Citroen, Lancia, Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi. The (in)famous Group “B” cars of the 1980’s are also included as part of this great assortment of vehicles.

• Robust Career Mode - Starting off with a limited selection of cars, you’ll have to race to prove yourself and gain entry into the Professional-, Classic-, and ultimately, World Classic-circuits. As you race, you’ll earn points – your key to unlocking new cars and qualifying for the upper race-circuits. You’ll also gain the experience you need to handle various race and terrain types – both on the track and when optimising your car in the garage.

• Advanced graphics and audio - Rallisport Challenge will show swaying trees, animated crowds, animals avoiding your car’s path, and realistic particle effects as you run through mud, dirt, snow and water. Damage modelling will also be incorporated. In leveraging the audio capabilities of the Xbox, we will ensure to deliver distinctive audio effects from the actual cars.