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Colin McRae Rally 04 PS2 Codemasters  So
Colin's back again for his fourth outing in the Colin McRae series
(the second for the Playstation 2). Some would argue that the Rally
genre has been done to death, with each new console carrying a new
slew of games that obviously have increased polygon counts and beefed
up cosmetics, although they rarely improve on physics engines or achieve
a good balance between realism and arcade-styled excitement.'Colin McRae Rally 04' has had a good ole facelift on the menu front, with a much more minimalistic feel of simply textual based menus with a smattering of video footage of courses and the like. This time around the player can take on his or her own identity and nationality (rather than being just Mr McRae). Featured game modes include Championship mode, Stages mode, and the Rally mode. Within the Championship mode there includes 4WD, 2WD, Group B, and Expert modes. Once you start progressing through the Championship mode the player is rewarding with extra cars, features and modes, much the same model used universally in such games. Individually the courses span the globe, with sufficient difference in scenery (including spectators born only to wave in two frames of animation) and terrain to keep it all interesting. Such variation in surroundings is beautifully reflected in the amount of variation that can be achieved in your car's set up, a component that was sadly lacking in the recent WRC3 franchise.  The
engine is graphically exquisite with the lushest of scenery (and wildlife)
and beautifully accurate representations of all featured cars, all
with no apparent road/scenery 'pop up' problems to be seen. Sonically,
the game follows the model with sound mostly limited to variations
in engine noises; the occasional crowd cheer or ambient sound effect
(rain/wind/fleeing spectator) as well as your standard fare of drum'n'bass
lite music to accompany the title screen and menus. An option to change
the accent of your navigating co-driver would have come in handy indeed,
or at the very least they could have hired Sean Connery to deliver
a more captivating Scottish twang.The car-damage model that is featured in 'Colin McRae Rally 04' is an absolutely stunning piece of work, with such attention to detail that it really is very difficult to resist trying to dislodge every single piece of your car. Detail is also given to weather effects and also trivial yet strangely pleasing aspects such as mud and snow sticking to the bodywork, sparks flying when you graze roadside rocks, and multiple levels of panel damage rather than just "dented" and "not-dented." Not exactly essential qualities of a rally-driving game, but these little touches do unexpectedly add in atmosphere to a game engine that is already magnificently polished. Indestructible signposts and letterboxes as well as various other assorted roadside objects that should ordinarily just crumple are mildly frustrating when they bring the action to a complete and utter halt. For instance, otherwise inconsequential objects such as mid sized rocks and tiny bushes on the roadside will act as though your vehicle has encountered an invisible brick wall instead of a simple bump over. The camera views are extremely well executed, with the in-cockpit view being the most realistic and functional of its type thus far, complete with gear-change sounds and dust and snow caking on the car's windshield. They almost take it to the extreme detail level of representing the age old and highly taboo topic of flatulence in car racing, as though you are expecting your co-driver to squeeze one off at any moment. If you are a rally fan (or a fan of driving games at all), or you simply get turned on by thick-accented Scottish men shouting directions at you, then 'Colin McRae Rally 04' is the game for you. This is simply the best rally game available.  |
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