WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 343 reviews
  • graphics
  • optimization
  • gameplay
WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship Game Cover
WRC 5 on the PlayStation 4 is good rally game but is lacking that next-gen feel and look
Starting at $1.52Buy now
Get on Steam

WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship is an exciting racing game that offers a realistic simulation of the 2015 World Rally Championship season. With over 65 special stages across 13 countries and a variety of cars and drivers to choose from, players can compete in various game modes, including Career, Online, and Rally School. The game also boasts improved graphics and physics engine for a more immersive rallying experience.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 343 reviews
graphics26 positive mentions
stability9 negative mentions
  • WRC 5 offers a fun and engaging rally experience with a variety of licensed cars and stages.
  • The graphics are decent for a 2015 game, providing a visually appealing environment.
  • The game features a career mode that allows players to progress through different rally classes, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The car handling feels arcade-like and lacks the realism expected from a rally simulation, making it less satisfying for hardcore fans.
  • There are significant issues with wheel support and controller mapping, which can hinder the experience for players using racing wheels.
  • The co-driver's pace notes are often inaccurate or poorly timed, leading to frustrating gameplay during races.
  • graphics92 mentions

    The graphics in the game, released in 2015, are generally considered acceptable for its time, with some users noting improvements over previous titles in the series. However, opinions are mixed, as many reviewers point out inconsistencies in visual quality, particularly in environmental details and performance optimization. While some players appreciate the car visuals and effects, others criticize the overall graphical fidelity and performance issues, suggesting that the game does not compete well with more recent racing titles.

    • “The graphics are very nice.”
    • “Wow, graphics-wise, it is a huge improvement from WRC 4!”
    • “Very nice graphics and no silly story: just hardcore rally driving with respect for the real rally rules.”
    • “The graphics are terrible!!”
    • “Absolute crap, poor graphics and ridiculous physics engine. 0.1 out of 5.”
    • “The visuals are serviceable but dated and are reminiscent of racing games on last-gen consoles.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and input delays, making it nearly unplayable for some. While a few users noted acceptable graphics and smooth performance on specific setups, the overall consensus highlights a lack of proper optimization, particularly for lower-end systems, leading to frustration among players. Despite some patches improving performance, many still recommend looking for alternatives due to these persistent issues.

    • “The performance is really good with no issues so far.”
    • “+ acceptable graphics for a 2015 game, perfect optimization.”
    • “Appears to be well optimized (almost always 60 fps on triples with a single GTX 970).”
    • “Practically unplayable due to extreme performance issues with random several seconds long spikes of lag so bad that the game can't even be called a slideshow anymore, more like a static photo display, all on hardware that should, based on the on-paper requirements, run 10 instances of this game seamlessly.”
    • “The technical side of the game is decent, albeit on the simpler side - the graphics, the soundscape, the physics, and the driving model, etc. Without the technical issues, it could perhaps be recommended for its current price (10 EUR or equivalent), but given the abysmal optimization, you should probably look for one of its competitors.”
    • “Horrible frame rate/performance, horrible car handling, poor graphics even on its max settings.”
  • gameplay21 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is described as a mixed experience, with some players appreciating the realistic driving mechanics and the inclusion of weather effects, while others find the handling and overall feel lacking compared to previous titles. The game offers enjoyable features like manual vehicle resets and checkpoint mechanics, but some users feel it falls short of expectations, particularly in terms of challenge and responsiveness. Despite its flaws, it serves as a decent background game for casual play.

    • “Great rally game, driving mechanics are awesome and very realistic.”
    • “A positive on the gameplay side is the presence of weather.”
    • “Those little changes in driving style and checkpoint mechanics make the game more enjoyable than before!”
    • “There is something really wrong with this game; I love the graphics, but the gameplay and the car handling are just awful.”
    • “In the scale from 0-10, I give a 7. I was expecting better gameplay and graphics, but in my opinion, it does not have it. However, for the price, it's okay.”
    • “After playing WRC 4, I can tell that the gameplay feels different for sure; I believe it feels slower than in WRC 4.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with reports of significant bugs, including frame rate drops, glitches, and issues with the car reset function. While some players experience smooth performance without crashes, others encounter frequent freezes and visual problems, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy, laggy mess" by many users.

    • “The game had no frame rate drops, no glitches, crashes, and loading times are super quick.”
    • “Look at the Spintires - Havok runs great even on computers made from cheese or potato.”
    • “There are one or two stages that are pretty broken with FPS drops and shadow glitches, unfortunately.”
    • “The car reset function is buggy as hell!”
    • “This may change with further playtime, but currently it's a buggy, laggy mess.”
  • story6 mentions

    The game features no story, focusing instead on delivering an authentic rally racing experience that appeals to genre fans. Reviewers appreciate the absence of a narrative, highlighting the game's commitment to realistic driving and graphics.

    • “This is exactly why Kylotonn ended up holding the license: to develop the best WRC game ever made.”
    • “Full story: The narrative is engaging and adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
    • “Very nice graphics and no silly story: just hardcore rally driving with respect for the real rally rules.”
    • “There is no story present at all.”
    • “Bear in mind there is no story present at all, but who cares, it is a perfectly suitable rally-racer for genre fans.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is appreciated for its lighthearted approach, with players enjoying the comedic attempts to surpass rivals like Dirt and CMR05. The blend of arcade and simulation elements adds to the fun, making it an enjoyable experience that elicits smiles and laughter through its realistic yet amusing gameplay.

    • “It's funny to see them try every time to be better than dirt or even CMR05.”
    • “Overall, I'm enjoying this funny WRC game :)”
    • “If you want a funny and easy-to-learn simcade (a mixture between pure arcade like in Need for Speed and simulation like in Dirt Rally or Richard Burns Rally) title, you will have fun with it :)”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is generally considered lackluster, with users noting that the menu music is plain and there appears to be no soundtrack or background music during gameplay.

    • “The menu music is rather plain and I don't think there is any sort of soundtrack or background music playing at any point in time during the game.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, with users noting that it does not provide many incentives or modes to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game offers a variety of play modes that enhance replayability.”
    • “There are numerous ways to approach each level, making it a title worth revisiting.”
    • “The diverse gameplay mechanics ensure that every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “Not a title that offers a lot of replayability.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express disappointment with the monetization strategy, feeling that the new product is inferior and lacks value compared to its predecessor, suggesting it serves more as a cash grab than a meaningful upgrade.

    • “Overall, I don't understand why anyone would spend twice as much for an inferior product that offers nothing beyond a wider track selection. I wish they had just added more content to Dirt Rally 1 instead of creating a cash grab sequel.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the developers are more focused on squeezing money out of players than providing a quality gaming experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it feel like you can't fully enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the experience is characterized by frustration and helplessness, as the player feels stuck and unable to progress due to the car's position and lack of traction.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

55% average critic score

Buy WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship

Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games