DiRT Rally 2.0

About

"DiRT Rally 2.0 is a racing simulation game that takes you through challenging off-road environments across the world in powerful vehicles. The game features an authentic handling model, tyre choice, and surface degradation, with immersive gameplay. Compete in official circuits from the FIA World Rallycross championship, with both single-player and multiplayer modes available."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+29

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,874 reviews

graphics687 positive mentions

story30 negative mentions

graphics
1,229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The graphics in this game are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many users noting that they hold up well even compared to newer titles. Players appreciate the immersive environments, beautiful weather effects, and the overall visual fidelity, especially when running on high-end PCs. However, some users report performance issues, such as low frame rates and stuttering, particularly in VR, indicating that while the graphics are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware.
- “The graphics are stunning, the audio is perfect.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the sound is amazing, and the attention to detail on missed shifts, dropped revs, car damage, tuning and setup adjustments, etc. is all superbly done.”
- “The combination of outstanding graphics, realistic driving mechanics, and seamless integration of virtual reality sets this game apart from its competitors.”
- “The frame rate is very low compared to games with similar graphical fidelity and complexity.”
- “The sequel that was made 4 years later has worse graphics and even shittier physics.”
- “How did Codemasters not only manage to not make textures and overall graphics better than an 8-year-old game, but make it actually worse is absolutely beyond me.”
gameplay
515 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay of Dirt Rally 2.0 is widely praised for its realistic driving mechanics, stunning graphics, and immersive experience, particularly when using a steering wheel. However, players express frustration with the steep learning curve, lack of tutorials, and the requirement for a constant internet connection, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While the core gameplay is engaging and rewarding, some users feel that the game could benefit from more diverse content and improvements in its career mode.
- “The gameplay itself is hard for newbies like me, but once you get into it, you will enjoy every moment in this game.”
- “The combination of outstanding graphics, realistic driving mechanics, and seamless integration of virtual reality sets this game apart from its competitors.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely fantastic and the courses are awesome.”
- “The gameplay itself is hard for newbies like me, but once you get into it you will enjoy every moment in this game.”
- “This game is so bad, the steering mechanics are so bad, WRC is 10x better, only the graphics are good at this game.”
- “The game is not optimized for VR gameplay. The game looks awful in VR and the game mechanics are also affected in a bad way.”
optimization
298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
46%
24%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players praising its performance on various hardware, including older systems, while others report significant issues, particularly in VR mode. While graphics and driving physics are generally well-received, users have noted stuttering, frame drops, and poor controller support as major drawbacks. Overall, the game runs smoothly for many, but optimization for VR and certain setups remains problematic.
- “The optimization is surprisingly very good for an EA game.”
- “Well optimized, lovely graphics and most important of all: driving physics are awesome.”
- “Great graphics, performance, and gameplay with very rewarding feelings of accomplishment as you progress in skill and vehicle classes.”
- “The game is not optimized for VR gameplay.”
- “The VR performance is horrible.”
- “Very poor frame rates and horrific stuttering.”
story
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
71%
17%
The game is widely criticized for lacking a compelling story or progression, with many users noting that it feels more like a sandbox experience focused solely on racing. While some players appreciate the gameplay mechanics, they express disappointment over the absence of a narrative or structured mode, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit significantly from a richer storyline or more engaging content.
- “This game is incredibly nuanced, with an extraordinarily deep, intelligent, yet still challenging story that will play with your emotions at every turn.”
- “This game has one of the most intense and rich stories out there, good enough to rival the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2, the entire Persona series, the Kingdom Hearts games, and much more.”
- “Relive some of the legendary Colin McRae's rallying moments with the Colin McRae story content.”
- “Where it lacks is it doesn't have a feel of progression or story.”
- “One negative thing though, it doesn't really have a story or progression; you can buy any car you want from the start and just race on top-skill tracks.”
- “No story mode or given direction for the game; you buy it and feel very much thrown in the deep end, which is a shame because it would be a great game if there were tutorials and a story.”
stability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
2%
66%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While some players with high-end rigs experience smooth performance, others face significant issues, particularly with VR setups and online connectivity. Overall, the game is described as having great potential but is marred by persistent technical problems that detract from the experience.
- “Runnin on a MSI Z370M Gaming Pro, processor 2017 model Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8700K CPU @ 3.70GHz, 3696 MHz, 6 core(s), 12 logical processor(s) with a Logitech 923 racing wheel and everything just works flawlessly, graphics card is a 1070, no glitches, pauses or hiccups.”
- “The game itself runs pretty solid (which I think is hard to find these days), little to no glitches other than a hangup as I cross the finish line on races.”
- “With my awful internet and not so great computer, this game runs great without any connection issues.”
- “If it wasn't for random freezes and crashes, this would be a killer game.”
- “A buggy game that can't even play due to communication with server errors.”
- “Horrible freezes to where the game is unplayable sometimes.”
music
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
64%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it forgettable or annoying, while others appreciate the calming menu tunes and overall audio quality. Many users miss the more engaging soundtracks from previous titles like Dirt 4, noting that the in-game music is often absent during gameplay, leaving only engine sounds and co-driver instructions. Overall, while some enjoy the music as a pleasant background, others feel it detracts from the experience.
- “This is one of those games where you can just auto-pilot while listening to music and play with just instinct.”
- “I'm also fond of the soundtrack, especially that menu music; it always makes me excited to open up the game and hear that chill tune.”
- “Putting on classical music while drifting through the NZ turns in a Ford Escort MK II is just sublime.”
- “To me it has the best physics out of any (sim) racing game, plenty of cars, would have liked more tracks but still plenty to enjoy. The music is horrible and I would rather be chained in an elevator and forced to listen to elevator music (but that can be turned off... so no biggie).”
- “The music for the background sounds like I'm watching a 'how to make fried eggs' tutorial.”
- “Forgettable and emotionless music.”
grinding
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
52%
45%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is a significant and often tedious aspect, with many players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment. While some find enjoyment in the challenge and skill improvement that comes with grinding, others criticize it as repetitive and frustrating, particularly in career mode where unlocking new cars and progressing can feel overly burdensome. Overall, the grinding experience is described as a double-edged sword, offering both a sense of accomplishment and a source of irritation.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The career feels a bit more grindy because they want you to buy microtransactions for the 'better' cars.”
- “I still play this game but I'm starting to lose my interest because I'm hitting a brick wall all the time; there's lots of grinding and too few rewards.”
monetization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
38%
56%
The monetization strategy in this game has been widely criticized for being overly aggressive and exploitative, featuring numerous microtransactions and DLCs that often repackage content from previous titles. Players express frustration over in-game advertisements and the perception that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, labeling it a "cash grab." Overall, the monetization approach detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game, leading many to recommend purchasing only during sales or avoiding it altogether.
- “Play carefully, you pay for what you break - and there's no microtransactions.”
- “Just buy the Game of the Year edition if the abundance of microtransactions is bothering you.”
- “Looking past some stupid developer choices like always online and microtransactions, the game itself is amazing, even better than the first Dirt Rally.”
- “I don't think it's right to use live advertising for things like military recruitment in games that I've already purchased.”
- “An excellent rally sim brought down by a garbage monetization scheme; pick up the bundle on sale and you'll have plenty to enjoy.”
- “Welcome to games as a live service 2.0... dirt rally 2.0 is a money pit of microtransactions in the form of original content that was in the first dirty rally game now blocked behind a paywall.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
Overall, the game boasts excellent replayability, highlighted by weekly and monthly online competitions, custom championships, and a variety of challenges that keep players engaged. While some users note a lack of depth in the base game due to limited stages and locations, many appreciate the diverse car handling and dynamic environments that enhance the replay experience. The combination of competitive elements and the ability to master different vehicles contributes to a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience with virtually unlimited replay potential.
- “Excellent replay value through weekly/monthly online competitions.”
- “I fully recommend this game as it delivers unlimited replayability; it will take years to master and there are always new challenges.”
- “There's a ton of replayability with all the different stage and car combos you can run.”
- “The base game just lacks a good amount of replayability because the stages are not super long, and you don’t get many locations.”
- “I guess that is just a complaint with rally vs rally cross but it feels like the replayability isn’t there.”
- “Not much of a career from what I recall but there's definitely a lot of replayability for those who are competitive and want to set personal bests on the numerous courses.”
humor
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
8%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted, with players enjoying the quirky sound effects, funny character voices, and amusing in-game physics, such as tire degradation and crash animations. Many find the gameplay experience to be both challenging and entertaining, often leading to laughter during races and crashes. However, some critiques mention that certain aspects, like the co-driver's voice and server issues, can detract from the overall comedic experience.
- “The crashes are so satisfying, and the sound effects will have you laughing out loud.”
- “It's challenging, funny, and incredibly addictive.”
- “The actual gameplay is solid, meaning visuals, performance, physics etc. that said the rare bug issues appear, but as mentioned it's rare and funny sometimes.”
- “Not funny at all.”
- “The humor fell flat and felt forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
atmosphere
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
24%
12%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and attention to detail, creating a realistic and engaging rally experience. Players appreciate the distinct environments of each country, the dynamic weather effects, and the overall sense of realism, although some feel that the game lacks a lively ambiance and can sometimes feel overwhelming. While the atmospheric elements enhance the driving experience, the fast-paced nature of the gameplay can make it difficult to fully appreciate the surroundings.
- “The challenging tracks, precise handling, and immersive atmosphere make every race a heart-pounding adventure.”
- “Driving through New England in the autumn really gives a beautiful atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere storm effects are extremely stunning and they work perfectly with the beautiful lightning even at night-time... I love driving through rain because you have slick raindrop effects and then you're sometimes blinded by the sunshine if you're driving a narrow forest road, and it makes you have to actually think more carefully and open your eyes!”
- “The game does not feel alive; the atmosphere is not there.”
- “It just does not feel that alive and it does not create the atmosphere of rally.”
- “I guess I am also more into a serious atmosphere than in a tacky festival.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a significant roller coaster, eliciting feelings ranging from joy and pride to frustration and anger. Many express that the game's challenges can lead to tears, whether from triumph after a successful run or from the difficulties encountered, particularly with car handling and physics. Overall, the emotional experience is a central theme, with players feeling deeply connected to their performance and the game's mechanics.
- “If you like racing and are not so good (like me) - you will still like the game but may shed a tear here and there... not that I have or anything... just saying it's possible...”
- “Amazing sim, I cried when Phil said 'you really are the Dirt Rally 2.0' after a good time in Poland.”
- “This game is an emotional roller-coaster, love it.”