If you're not familiar with the genre, rally racing retains some of the grassroots spirit the mega-corporate auto events lack. Colin McRae Rally 2005 is of the latter species: a relatively unforgiving yet smartly designed simulation of off-road hill-humping, mud-chucking, gravel-flinging racing with the best-looking visuals on any system, hands down. When it comes to driving games, there are two essential types: arcade demolition derbies that leave one hand to fend for beer and cheesy puffs, and hardcore replications of real-world physics. Races are set in nine international locations.
The game features more than 30 different vehicles total, including models by Alfa Romeo, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
In an RPG-influenced 'Career Challenge' mode, this year's Colin McRae game has players working their way up the circuits from behind the wheels of classic two-wheel drive, super two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and super-four-wheel drive class automobiles. Codemasters returns to the back roads and two-tracks with this '2005' addition to its flagship rally racing series.
