#Drive Rally has that real pick-up-and-play quality | Hands-on preview

#Drive Rally has that real pick-up-and-play quality | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that #DRIVE Rally has been a refreshing and exhilarating addition to my collection. Coming from a lineage of arcade racers, it harkens back to the golden age of rally games while still offering a modern twist.


Initially, it might seem a bit jarring to have an excellent Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike shouting “Left Three” or “Tempo Tempo Tempo” at high speed, racing towards a pine forest at 120 km/h with tires barely clinging to the soft dirt track. But as time passes and you adapt mentally, it becomes quite endearing, much like how my love for #DRIVE Rally has grown over time.

In a nod to ’90s rally racing, the vibrant and unapologetic #DRIVE Rally delivers an abundance of excitement and adrenaline in equal quantities. It might lack the intricate handling of WRC or the grandiose AAA production values of the Dirt series, but it more than makes up for it with its large, lively personality, a dose of nostalgia, and the timeless joy of simple entertainment. And by gosh, there’s plenty of that fun to go around!

Driving these cars is incredibly exhilarating, whether you’re navigating through the icy wilderness or the scorching desert. The sensation of being almost out of control as you take each legendary vehicle to its maximum potential, trying to chop off mere fractions of a second from your speed record, is simply thrilling. If you feel like you might tip over with every lean of the chassis around a sharp turn, then you know you’re pushing it just right. It’s an incredible feeling behind the wheel.

#Drive Rally has that real pick-up-and-play quality | Hands-on preview

I say iconic car as the motors on offer are thinly veiled representations of historic rally classics, with each having an even more souped-up version or two made available as you journey through the Championship mode. If you think that it can get frantic throwing around a 219hp Peugeot-alike through the Schwarzwald, just you wait until you try out its 595hp big brother! Reactions need to be lightning-fast and braking pin-point perfect to stand a chance at nailing that top spot on the podium.

If you prefer a more leisurely experience rather than striving for AI-set times, you can engage in the free play mode, where you’ll get an opportunity to compete with top players worldwide, or, as in my situation, learn from some of the best and potentially find yourself on the online leaderboards.

In the #DRIVE Rally game, you have plenty of opportunities to personalize your experience according to your preferences. New customizable parts are constantly being introduced, providing an ongoing source of excitement. You can transform a seemingly ordinary vehicle into something extraordinary by adding unique features like large spoilers and low-profile tires, or keep it subtle with standard bodies and street tires. This game allows you to create everything from a stealthy wolf in sheep’s clothing to a showstopper that wouldn’t feel out of place in an ASDA car park late on a Saturday night.

#Drive Rally has that real pick-up-and-play quality | Hands-on preview

In the preliminary version of the game, there have been some peculiar instances, particularly concerning the lap times displayed versus the ghost car I’ve been persistently pursuing. It appears that a tiny advantage is shown as a significant lead, like a split-second gap being indicated as over a minute difference. However, has this discrepancy truly diminished my overall experience?

No. Not one iota.

On the Steam Deck, it runs smoothly without any frame drops, even while showcasing stunning visuals. The tracks seem to have personalities of their own, transforming throughout the levels, revealing increasingly expansive wilderness landscapes as you race at astonishing speeds. Don’t forget to utilize the built-in photo mode for a closer look at the exquisite artwork, capturing that breathtaking instant when dust trails linger in the air behind you, tires precariously hugging the edge of a pine forest. The game boasts an awe-inspiring art style that looks stunningly beautiful both still and in motion.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Arnie’s Rally Racers is a standout game. With its one-of-a-kind visual appeal and cheeky co-pilots to keep things lively, it’s a breath of fresh air in the gaming world. The variety of tracks to conquer and the addictive quality of this game, reminiscent of a never-ending bag of Malteasers, makes it hard to put down. Even the iconic voice of Arnie shouting at you from the speakers adds an entertaining touch that keeps me coming back for more. If you’re looking for a pick-up-and-play rally racer that offers a unique gaming experience, Arnie’s Rally Racers is definitely worth a try.

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2024-08-21 22:46