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DiRT Showdown Review


Game Details

Game: DiRT Showdown
Genre: Racing
Developed by: Codemasters Racing Studio
Published by: Codemasters
Release Date: 23 May, 2012
Metacritic Score: 72 (Link)

Game Review

"Sweet... sweet car destruction..."
DiRT Showdown is a spin-off of the highly acclaimed arcade racing DiRT series. It´s a game focused on arcade racing with lots of destruction and car madness, unlike the other games from the DiRT series that had a more "serious" approach, mixing simulation with arcade. This game still has some similarities with those, while being a completely different experience. One thing I can grant you, it is extremely fun.
Gameplay
The gameplay is extremely satisfying, especially the sweet car destruction (which is basically the main focus in this game). The arcade handling feels great in this game, very easy to master and enjoyable. The AI opponents is ultra aggressive, but that works well in this game since it is based on pure car carnage (reminds me a lot of the flatout series), a shame you only face 8 opponents though. This game also as a nitro boost that slowly recharges over time and much more faster if you create some chaos and hit the opponents cars, never seen on any DiRT series game, but again, this one is essentially a spin-off, with a few things borrowed from the other DiRT games. Track design is amazing as previous DiRT games, a shame that the game borrows many tracks from those later games, but at least they feel fresh in this game. Lots of game modes too, from basic racing, to pure demolition derby carnage will keep you entertained.

Longevity and Replayability
The longevity of the career mode is strangely small which is a bummer, I completed it in about 8 hours. Still you have other modes like joyride with tons of missions and challenges to complete, like in DiRT 3, which will get you around 2 hours to complete it 100%. Then of course, you have the multiplayer where luckily you will spend a good amount of hours but I will address that below in my review. It does not have that much tracks either, even though most are awesome and have many variations, you can get a little bored of constantly racing in the same places. Essentially the single-player part of the game is kind of a letdown since you complete it rather fast.
Graphics and Presentation
Now the graphics and presentation. I have only good things to say in this matter. The tracks are beautiful, they are a blast to the eyes. Filled with life, great colors, they really transmit a good vibe. The cars are amazingly detailed too, with great deformation models which greatly help improving the experience. Smooth visuals as in all games in the DiRT series. Presentation-wise it is top notch too, very similiar to the treatment of the late DiRT 3, with similar menus and art style.
Sound
The sound department is sharp too as expected. The sound of the people reactions, the engines roar, the destruction, everything is amazing. Well except for the commentary during races which is insanely cheesy and lame. I loved the soundtrack too, it fits perfectly in this games, a really great song list in my opinion.
Multiplayer
The multiplayer is a blast. Playing this game online is a blast. Insanely fun, crazy-action packed races. Sadly few people play it at the time (game was released in 2012), but with some luck you will still find filled lobbies. I noticed some lags in some chaotic races that can get into your nerves, but nothing that makes the game unplayable. Another important aspect in the multiplayer is that this game supports split-screen. You heard it right, SPLIT-SCREEN! A feature that many games nowadays do not have, that makes for some awesome gaming sessions with friends.
Performance
Game performed amazingly on my native resolution 1440x900 in highest settings, locked in 60fps with almost no dips, both single-player and split-screen, on my budget rig (check my profile if you want to know the specs). It is well optimized and has tons of graphical options, so unless you have a potato pc, it will handle it perfectly.


Summary

Pros:

Extremely satisfying races and car destruction
Great graphics and presentation
Simplistic arcade handling, yet it feels very good
Good range of game modes
Online is incredibly fun

Cons:

Single-player career is very small
Lame commentary
Occasional lags in multiplayer

My personal score: 7.5/10
If you like arcade racing games this one you should get. It is extremely enjoyable, yet the single-player runs out very fast. And the multiplayer is almost dead, so you should pick this up when its on sale and not full price since it is when the multiplayer can get resurrected and have people playing it for a few days and the single-player definitely wont justify the game base price (even though it is not that expensive). A great game to spend a few hours when you are bored!