Hitting a tree at a slow speed will no longer smash your windscreen, but it works both ways. The damage model seemed a little more realistic then the one employed in CMR3. As with other rally games, during stages you will have a limited time and if the car is still not road worthy then tough cheddar. The severe damage modeling is back from Colin McRae Rally 3 and these cars can take a serious beating. The time's are also a lot more forgiving when a player first starts out as my first stage win on the Australian track proved after just twenty or so minutes of play. Australia is looking superb, with forests, windy dirt roads and some fantastic scenery, Finland offered a more technical track with many twisty corners and I even managed to get stuck in a ditch. I chose these due to the differing surfaces. During my play test I got to drive a Subaru WRX on numerous stages from Finland, Australia and another stage.

The person demonstrating it to me also explained that a hardcore mode is included for those who love the rally as real as it gets.Ĭolin McRae Rally 04 doesn't carry the official WRC licence but all the teams, drivers and stages are included. The new physics and driving model in my opinion has reinvented the rally game, it feels much more fluid and once a player adjusts they will love it. Should your car accidentally venture off-road, the handling will change dramatically just as when half the car is on one surface and the other half another. Each of the wheels has a pivot point and provides feedback to the physics system producing a much more realistic and pleasurable driving experience. Colin McRae Rally 3 at times was a lesson in frustration, but although it will take a little while to adjust, 04 improves on this aspect ten fold. The other major change is the car physics, in particular the handling. Again like 3 players will be tasked with competing over a series of championships with the aim of winning the World Rally Championship. Unlike Colin McRae 3, players can choose from any of the WRC teams and can run a career through like that. Arcade racing, individual stages and even the ability to create your own rallies from your favourite stages of the World Rally Championship. Whilst a career mode will still exist, seven other modes will be available for players. The major change for Colin McRae 04 will be the single player setup. I went hands on with a near final Xbox build and came away with the knowledge that Codemasters, haven't lost their touch, they only had a lapse.

Well Codemasters have learnt from their mistake and Colin 04 is due for release in just a few short weeks. Hands up those who like Colin McRae Rally? Ok now keep your hand up if you thought Colin McRae Rally 3 was a good game.

Colin mcrae rally 04 online