The latest release of the Codemasters Dirt series offers new online game modes and never-before-seen locations. Dirt 5 offers a thrilling experience that’s accessible for both casual players and hardcore racing fans. Is it worth all the hype? Read our Dirt 5 review below.

These environments as you would have guessed it, are littered throughout the four corners of the globe make this Dirt 5 catch your attention. The tracks are placed in both unique and wonderful looking environments, those such as the following.

• Norway: Snowy Mountains, Icy Road
• Arizona: Dusty trails underneath a bright sun
• China: Dirty Tracks Like a Jungle.

This may come as a surprise to many but the game offers quite an exciting dynamic weather system that can change at any point in time during an ongoing race. For instance:

• Clear skies to downpour: A race could begin with the sun shining but wind up in heavy rain, putting visibility and vehicle control at risk.
• Race from Day to Night: Race starts at 3pm then finishes in night time showing off the amazing lighting effects.

Every single Dirt 5 vehicle has been painstakingly designed to match the standards set by real-life motorsports. This range is achieved with the body speckled in mud and reflections rolling off of windshields adding to overall immersion.

Dirt 5 is definitely more of an arcade-style racer, and the overall tone reminds me a bit of what you would get from EA’s Need for Speed series. Gameplay is quick, fun to play and not a serious sim. Key features include:

• Simple Controls: Drift, jump and race through easy to learn controls that handle everything from challenging terrain environments in the drift mode.
• Vehicles Everywhere: The game packs most of the coolest cars that consume exist today, such as: Rally Cars, Trucks, Buggies

Dynamic weather in Dirt 5 isn’t just a pretty background effect – it has an effect on gameplay. Here’s how:

1. Rain: Decreases traction making it difficult to control.
2. Snow: Sliding across slippery surfaces encourages your fastest passes.
3. Mud: Slows down the vehicles and makes them uncontrollable.

Dirt 5’s Career Mode isn’t just a series of races. The video was titled as just simply racing game, though there seemed to be an overarching theme here of it being a really immersive experience putting you in the shoes of an up-and-coming racer. Key aspects include:

• Narrative: The story is good and is pushed along by some big name voice actors Troy Baker and Nolan North who inject the game with personality.
• Progression: As the seasons change so will your experience; you unlock new events, earn sponsorships, and gain reputation points that will open up more opportunities.

To keep the gameplay fresh, Career Mode features a wide range of events which combines:

1. Point-to-Point Races: A combination of rally and varied terrains as you race from one area to another.
2. Circuit Racing: A Circular Track with a certain quantity of laps to complete.
3. Time Trials: Race against the clock to gain extreme speed with pinpoint accuracy.

Dirt 5 gives you the option to jump into local split-screen play, allowing up to four players sharing one screen in a race. Great for playing on the couch with family and friends

Online competition is available for up to 12 players in various race types, if you want a little more structure. And the multiplayer modes are:

1. Traditional Races: Compete against other players in basic races.
2. Party Modes: Non-traditional race modes with unique objectives.
3. Playgrounds Mode: It let players build their own tracks on a variety of terrain and share them with friends so they can race one another.

In Dirt 5 the background sounds create a more immersive racing environment with;

• Reliable Engine Sounds: Every single automotive has its personal engines and sounds that adds to the authenticity.
• Environmental Sounds: Hear the splash of water, the crunch of gravel and the roar of the crowd as you race.

This along with some high-octane action and a variety of tracks, sure to get you pumped make this game well worth the purchase. Featured Artists Include:

• The Chemical Brothers
• The Prodigy
• Pearl Jam

Dirt 5, as best played on PS4 pro and Xbox One X or next-gen console/PC) provides:

1. Performance Mode: This setting favours higher frame rates during play.
2. Visual Fidelity Mode: Enhanced graphics -the type of visuals that make these games look better.

Players may run into the following on older hardware:

• Frame Rate Drops: There are instance slowdown while in the heat of racing.
• Slower Load Times: You have to wait a while between races.

• Vibrant Graphics & Dynamic Weather: Beautiful and immersive graphics through real-time ray-tracing.
• Fun & Simple to Play: It’s simple and easy for anyone.
• Engaging Career Mode: Solid narrative content with varied career events.
• Extensive Multiplayer Suite: Split-screen and online multiplayer modes.

• Lack Of Depth: Hardcore racing fans may find it lacking.
• Technical Hiccups on Aged Hardware: Infrequent frame rate stutters.

Dirt 5 is a visually stunning and crazy fun off-road arcade racing game that provides an enjoyable experience for newbie & pros. It provides such a great arcade racing experience, but adds in the changing weather system, countless hours of career gameplay and more multiplayer options to really make it something all racing fans need. Dirt 5 offers the wildest dirt-racing experience on earth, so whether you’re crushing through a snow-capped Norwegian forest or speeding across Brazilian mudflats — it’s adrenaline-fuelled fun your way. 

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