Dirt 2 at the wheel

Driftwood
Sunday, August 23, 2009 | 5:00 PM
50 comments

Video PC Xbox 360 PS3

For once, we have decided to also show you a bit of the Xbox 360 version of the Colin McRae: Dirt 2 demo. Two days ago we showed you what the Playstation 3 demo looked like when DjMizuhara was behind the controller. In today's video, I am behind the Microsoft wheel for a whole race in cokpit view so you have a chance to see how impressive it can be. The funny thing about the 360 version is that you can see your avatar hanging from the rear view mirror. Useless, so, absolutely indispensable.

Quick gameplay impressions with the 360 wheel

It's a real shame that Xbox 360 owners can't enjoy a very good wheel like the G25. The game is still fun to play even though the Microsoft wheel looks more like a toy to me but it's easy to imagine how incredible it must be with the proper wheel. Once you get a hang of the controls, it's quite easy to do some pretty cool stuff and have a lot of fun - you can even tweak the wheel settings in the option menu if the default setting isn't to your liking. If you own a wheel and it's locked up somewhere in your attic, you might want to give it a try, it's a lot more immersive than using a standard controller.

Téléchargement

Cockpit view gameplay

Téléchargement

Replay

Viginti_Tres

Commented on 2009-08-23 17:55:30

Good driving for the most part, although you messed up the Scandinavian flick a few times. ;)

I like the effect when water splats all over the wind shield, graphics look damn good. And the avatar thing: Only possible on Xbox!! ^^

In reply to

Jato

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:08:55

"The funny thing about the 360 version is that you can see your avatar hanging from the rear view mirror"

Confirmed: 360 is the superiour version!

toelessfoot

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:31:43

Best console graphics period.

Driftwood

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:34:10 In reply to Viginti_Tres

Well then I guess Manager would have been more at ease since he's from Sweden. ;)

This message and account have been deleted at the user's request

uzivatel

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:50:46

There are actually some pretty good Xbox 360 wheels. I mean, you do know there are other wheels than the one from Microsoft, right?

dirttbagg

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:52:45

ahaha i knowwww this is an arcade now.. i never played the first one but my eclipse could never do that even with every single part available to buy out there... plus its front wheel drive... wheres the fun in that lol

plus it completely impractical to even use an eclipse cuz after u install all the parts itd be cheaper just to start off with something better... but it does look cool ;)

my 350z yes... eclipse.. no wayyyy in hellz :P
looks kinda fun tho!

Commented on 2009-08-23 18:54:05 In reply to uzivatel

And they're all pretty much crap, especially compared to a G25. :P

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:16:36 In reply to Driftwood

Posted by Driftwood

They are but there is also the fanatec wheels. Superior build quality and FF. They might sound pricey but it's the only multiplatform wheel and looking at the price of the soon to be released G27 it seems justified (especially if you play racing games across all platforms).

So if you are a racing nut and 360 owner there is actually no alternative (sadly), but at least there is a very good wheel.

nostradamus

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:20:24

http://www.fanatec.de/html/index.php?id=250&lang=

Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Crazyglues

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:28:15 In reply to toelessfoot

Posted by toelessfoot

indeed... wow looks amazing

Pablopictures

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:32:33

LOL, I can't wait to see my avatar in action

KORNdog

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:32:34 In reply to toelessfoot

in terms of racers, i agree. not the most realistic, but definately the best.

Commented on 2009-08-23 19:51:29

ok, just played the demo and i really dont like how it plays, the handling is WAY too twitchy, feels worse then even GRiD. the whole "attitude" of the game sucks too.... seems looks are the only thing going for this game atm imo.

Commented on 2009-08-23 20:00:59 In reply to Viginti_Tres

The thing is I also own a PS3 and the G25 is "only" 175€ here so I don't think the Fanatec is what you'd call a good deal. Also, I heard it is not really worth the price, a lot less interesting than the G25. Unless this new version has been modified that is. The problem still is it's way too expensive.

Having G25 compatibility with the 360 would be the best. Unfortunately...

teh_d00d

Commented on 2009-08-23 20:05:53

i've just given this a go with the microsoft wheel and... it's much better than i expected. even with the default settings its weighted about right, not too twitchy and not unresponsive. good job codies.

dingleberry

Commented on 2009-08-23 20:14:10

McCrae and Rally this ain't. The cheese commentary is just such an atrocious turn off. Shame.

LOL @ the avatar hanging on the mirror, though.

aimbotnf

Commented on 2009-08-23 20:16:25 In reply to dirttbagg

Posted by dirttbagg

plus it completely impractical to even use an eclipse cuz after u install all the parts itd be cheaper just to start off with something better... but it does look cool ;)

A typical WRC rally car is worth $400K-$500K the 15K price difference between a 350Z and an eclipse is pretty insignificant. I'm guessing the Eclipse in the game has a drive train swap of some kind, making it RWD.

Commented on 2009-08-23 20:20:27

@Driftwood: You can always buy the pure version if its in stock, almost the ame price. http://www.fanatec.de/webshop/new_eu/product_info....

Then You just need the dongle for PC/PS3.
For people with just the Pc or PS3, G25 is still the best alternative.

bleachedsmiles

Commented on 2009-08-23 21:03:33 In reply to dingleberry

Posted by dingleberry

i was starting to think i was the only one that wasnt liking the new inrace chatter.

zerolight

Commented on 2009-08-23 21:03:41

I dunno, I think this is the best handling McRae game codies have put it. Handling on a par if RBR probably. Visually stunning. I like it. Rally games are always twitchy because you need the full lock thing so much... on a previous game Codies made the steering slower and required you to press a button to access the faster full lock steering, but that was awkward. Once you get used the the sensitivity, it's rather nice, and has much improved physics.

Commented on 2009-08-23 21:34:32 In reply to zerolight

Posted by zerolight

I dunno, I think this is the best handling McRae game codies have put it.

Not a chance. I never played any of the last gen's McRae's, so I can't comment on them. However, having played the demo, McRae 2 on the PSX has a more naturalistic feeling to it that mauls this. The main problem is that you just have too much control of the cars, and you're never anxious of obsticals or taking bends. The cars just eat corners like they aren't there, and the only decent sensation you got of weight on the car is when you jump and land. That's it. In McRae 2, you had to be on the ball when taking jumps, because if you landed with the wheels turned slightely, chances are you're fighting to gain control of the car and you seasaw back and forth, possibly landing you in a ditch or into a tree. You just don't get that sense of danger from the speed and momentum of the cars in this. It's gone.

Commented on 2009-08-23 22:17:51

Posted by droezelke

Too expensive for me. I don't want the best. I want a decent wheel at a nice price.

@korndog: did you play it on PS3? I played both PS3 and Xbox360 version. Because of the difference in the controllers, the Xbox360 version is less twitchy. But with some practice, the ps3 version is equal to the 360 version.

360 version, it was just rediculous how twitchy it was. somewhere along the line codemasters went from producing awesome rally games with great handling, to twitch-fest arcade racers...WTF happened?