The Colin McRae series may not be the biggest seller or recognized name in video game racing, but when it came to rally games, there is no rival. Of course Codemasters are no dummies, where there is no cash, there's no game, so they needed to come up with an idea that may draw interest from casual gamers, without neglecting the hardcore audience who has been with them through thick and thin. So they've decided to drop the Colin McRae name in favor of DiRT, which is bold and a little more eye catching. Next they decided to expand the racing universe by not only having rally events, but now off road, hill climbs, and C.O.R.R. (championship off-road) races to boot. This idea couldn't have come at a better time with games like Sega Rally Revo and Motorstorm still fresh on the mind. Getting DiRTy hasn't been this talked about for quite a long time.

Visually DiRT is stunning, especially on the PS3. Both versions look great mind you, but the extra development time for the PS3 allowed them to fix the slowdown and screen tearing issues found in the Xbox 360 version. Granted, it wasn't so bad it was unplayable or anything, but it was there and for fussy gamers like myself, I saw it on every turn. Regardless of the minor video issues, the game still looked brilliant. The vehicle models are ridiculously detailed from the ready-to-be-busted-up bodies to the springs on the shocks under the carriage. The environments are even more impressive as you will see a large variety of courses that range from enclosed off-road races, twisty rally tracks, and even long winding courses that seem to go on forever with lap lengths of 7 minutes or more. You will race along multiple surfaces from DiRT, to mud, and even good old safe tarmac. Topping the game off is a slick presentation style that not only is unique, but also useful. The loading menus for example, are more than just something to pass the time as they keep you updated on numerous details such as longest jump, best lap time, average finish position and much much more.

The game's audio is outstanding as you almost feel like you are in the driver's seat of one of these vehicles. You'll hear authentic engine sounds that vary from vehicle to vehicle, along with other ambient sounds like squeaking shocks and struts, tires peeling out, and debris hitting your vehicle as you speed around a rocky turn. There is some music in the game, but typically it is you and the road, so if you have a 360 you always have custom soundtracks with PS3 owners are still left with the game's soundtrack. On those long hill climbs and rally races, expect to hear nothing more than your passenger giving you upcoming directions and the blissful sounds of the road.

Car handling is incredible as you never feel that your vehicle is too heavy or light, and much like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it feels just right. This enables you to make those quick handbrake turns, or strategically read the track and maneuver at will. Of course the game's A.I. may have something to say about that. Sure you can play on Rookie and win all day long, but once you pump that bad boy up a level or two (out of 4 selectable difficulties) you are in for one bumpy ride... literally. What's nice is that the game's A.I. isn't predetermined either; they cars are just trying to get into position and win at whatever the costs. Be warned though, the game's damage structure isn't just for show; it hampers the performance of your vehicle as well. Of course the rally courses are solo timed based races, but you still need to do the best you can to beat some of those best lap times.

The career mode will give you a solid 10+ hours of game play the first time through, but with 4 difficulty levels, you can find ways to eat up your time, not to mention trying to better your own times and people on your friends list. While there is no "real" multiplayer per say, you do join in a lobby of up to 100 racers, vote for a track, and try to better each other's times. It would have been nice to see head to head matches, but for fans of the sport it makes sense.

All in all, this is the game that just might finally put the name Codemasters into gamer's minds that haven't enjoyed their past successes like Colin and Pro Race Driver. DiRT isn't too simish or arcady but finds that nice blend that goes down smooth everytime.