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WRC: Rally Evolved
Taste the physical extremes of rally
driving and battle your way past your opponents in gruelling multi-car
wheel-to-wheel racing. Prepare for the unexpected as driver and
co-driver negotiate on-track dangers - evade the wreckage of rival cars,
navigate through flooded stages, and dodge crumbling walls and tumbling
rocks. More cars than ever before from rally's past, present and future
are brought to life in realistically interactive surroundings - drive
over 40 awesome vehicles through rivers, raging fires, dense smoke and
debris strewn terrain.
The WRC series on the PlayStation 2 is probably the most realistic rally
game in the console world but the past few versions of the series has
relied a little too much on their laurels... until now. Evolution
Studios have finally revamped the series and have once again created one
of the most addictive, high speed and awesome rally games to date by
adding new gameplay modes, an improved gaming engine and also updated
graphics. Evolution Studios have also managed to snag the license of the
WRC series with a staggering total of six different car classes from all
over the world.
WRC: Rally Evolved features a plethora of different gameplay modes that
includes championship, rally cross, single rally, single stage, test
track and also multiplayer modes for up to 4-players with a multitap or
16 players via online. To increase the longevity of this game, the gamer
must also win a variety of different events in order to unlock cars,
tracks and different gameplay modes. Another new feature of WRC: Rally
Evolved is the introduction of environmental hazards that really take
rally racing to the next (pun intended) evolutionary stage with gamers
now trying to avoid a wide gamut of changing obstacles such as animals
and rocks.
As with all rally games, the player must navigate their way around an
obstacle course by not only listening to their co-pilot but also being
vigilant for any environmental hazards that may affect the race. Whoever
gets the best time for the race, basically wins the competition. The
gameplay is quite similar to the previous series with the analog stick
used to control your car and the d-pad used for car functions that
should take the average gamer around 30 minutes to fully master the
control system. The 2-player split screen option is brilliant and I must
admit that the staff at impulsegamer had literally hours of fun
challenging each other.
Graphically, WRC: Rally Evolved has changed quite a bit since the last
incarnation and the car models are more detailed and contain realistic
textures of surfaces to almost make you think that you are watching the
game on television as a spectator and not a competitor. It should also
be noted that the damage system of the game has also been improved that
is not only looks realistic but also effects the way your car handles in
the game. The backgrounds have all been professionally rendered and
match that with some special effects such as particle and lighting
effects and you have one sturdy title. Once again Evolution Studios
should be applauded for keeping the game at a respectable frame rate,
without any slow down whatsoever.
The musical score of WRC: Rally Evolved is truly pumping and features a
variety of modern bands to help immerse you into the rally world. The
voice acting of the title has also been professionally implemented and
nothing sounds too contrived or forced. Other sound effects that put the
final touches into the game are the realistic engine sounds and also the
sounds of cars crashing at speeds in excessive of 100 kilometres an
hour, not that you want to do that too often.
In conclusion, WRC: Rally Evolved is an entertaining rally game that I
would recommend to any fans of the series or car fans. With improved
graphics, new gameplay modes and of course online play, there's little
to complain about this current incarnation of WRC: Rally Evolved. Check
it out!
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