Colin McRae Rally 04 Review

By Scott Steinberg - Posted Apr 05, 2004
Scott Steinberg

Rev up your rally racers for a speedy competition.

The Pros
  • Detailed physics
  • Extensive car/course selection
  • Upgrade and repair systems
  • Smooth handling
The Cons
  • Painful load times
  • Limited multiplayer support
  • Bland visuals

Never mess with an angry Scotsman, unless, of course, he's got a best-selling
videogame franchise hidden under his kilt. It's a lesson we learn the hard way
on tonight's "X-Play," as we take "Colin McRae Rally 04" out for a spin. You'll
find the newest speed demon in Codemasters' stable a steal at 20 clams, assuming
you can comprehend what all the fuss is about.


World champion


Following in the footsteps of several well-received predecessors, this rally
racing title has generated a massive buzz overseas. The title offers considerable
replay value, an intuitive interface, and a reasonable approximation of the
sport. As they swerve around 48 international tracks set in Australia, Finland,
Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, players experience a detailed
simulation that ably re-creates the thrills associated with this popular form
of auto racing. Well, it's popular in Europe, anyway.



Lost in translation


Sadly, the average domestic user probably won't appreciate the action's intricacies.
From the standpoint of most onlookers, play merely involves rocketing around
forests and flatlands while a navigator shouts directions in a thick European
accent. But dig beneath the shallow facade of four rivals jockeying for better
lap times and you'll encounter the painstakingly accurate physics modeling for
which the series is known. Despite some arcade undertones -- e.g. go off-course
and you're promptly dumped back on the track -- this is as real as foreign motor
sports get. But we fear NASCAR fans won't be amused. Careful braking and controlled
power slides define featured contests, which demand you stay on track while
barreling over a variety of velocity-affecting surfaces, including dirt, gravel,
and mud. It's a strong enough setup, but not one meant for enjoyment en masse.
Compared with other games that boast many competitors, the solo outings touted
here can be a drag.


Nuts and bolts


Save for hardcore enthusiasts, the majority of whom reside in the Old World,
most gamers won't ever recognize this game as a deep and fulfilling diversion.
A shame that, since robust car-setup options (tires, springs, steering, and
so on) and unlockable upgrades (e.g. ceramic brakes and advanced dampers) let
grease monkeys tweak to their heart's content. Enjoy a few rounds of championship
mode and you'll also uncover a meticulous damage-modeling system, plus a curious
repair system that trades enhanced performance for greater penalty assessment.



More to the point, more than 20 vehicles are finely modeled and presented for
your enjoyment. Vehicles come in multiple categories too, with four-wheel drive,
two-wheel drive, and Group B models all represented. Licensing deals with Ford,
Mitsubishi, Peugeot, and other prominent manufacturers guarantee real-world
roadsters bogart the roster. Even if it's a Citroen Xsara or Fiat Punto Super
1600 you're desperate for, the designers have you covered.


Unexpected detours


The game takes a turn for the worse with its general presentation. Though
lively menus give a good first impression, you won't get worked up over the
static environments filled with stiff, cardboard-cutout textures. There are
no flashy collision effects either, nor does the chosen color palette lend roadways
any meaningful depth. Three default camera views, two of which are virtually
the same perspective, don't improve matters. Sound effects and voice-overs are
barely adequate. The title's audio library eventually becomes background noise.
Lengthy load times will also put a strain on your relationship with the disc.
Xbox Live support extends only as far as high-score upload opportunities --
and that's a slap in the face.


Import tuner


Although it's an admirable effort, we don't see this rally racing game winning
any new converts in North America. Most gamers just won't know what to make
of it. What this title does, it does well. But to introverted Yanks like us,
it makes about as much sense as putting mayonnaise on french fries.