DiRT 3

[Ferry_vO]

It's here!

The game arrived today, and I've had some time to install and play it for a bit.
Compared to DiRT2 there are a few things missing; no more 'X-games' stuff, no more 'Paddock menu', no Raids and raid class cars. So far so good as most of these annoyed me in the previous game!

The third installment is much more focussed on rallying and Rallycross (Though the trucks and buggies are still there) with rallycars from the sixties, seventies, eighties, Group B, S2000 and WRC.
All of the previous ares and tracks have been replaced with new locations like Kenya, Finland, Aspen (Snow!) and the US. Weather is now dynamic and in single stages can be chosen before the race.
A new event is the Gymkhana, well known from Ken Block's Youtube video clips. Looks like it will be a fun intermission but not as easy as Ken makes it look.

What's also new is an added bit of realism! Compared to #2 it is a bit harder to get in to (At least with all driver aids off.) and it now pays off even more to drive clean and avoid crashes. Still loads of fun when you get it right though! I think I spun more in the first two hours than I ever did in DiRT2.

Bugs found: Somehow it won't save my steering wheel settings and I've had the odd CTD. The default steering wheel settings have a deadzone on all axis of 20% which made me drive like I was drunk. Setting it to 0% fixed that. The co-driver is hard to hear on default settings, lowering the engine sounds helped with that.

On to a few screenshots, which have only been resized and the black bars on the top and bottom have been cut off. The graphics are maxed out, but if you have a DirectX 11 compatible video card you can set the 'post-processing effects' a bit higher.

Mitsubishi Evo X in the USA:







Same car in Kenya:



Rallycross in Aspen:

[Ferry_vO]

Trailblazer is back too; no Dallenbach I think but this Pikes Peak ' Monster' Suzuki should be a good replacement...:



US Rally in an S2000 Peugeot 207:



Rallycross, USA, Subaru Impreza:



FIAT 131 Abarth, rally, Kenya:





One of my favourite events from the old Colin McRae series is back; the head to head!
Two cars on a closed track side by side like in the Race of Champions:







I think I've only seen a small part so far, but it looks like a great continuation of the series!

[stiz]

mines still downloading

[Ferry_vO]

mines still downloading

Got mine on a disc with the mail, sometimes the 'old way' still works best.

[stiz]

to true!

[stiz]

been playing about with it this morning and i have to say i like it! No problems with wheel settings not saveing here, was a bit of a hassel tuneing it in though. Tried the mini yet? you can just throw that thing around!

[Ferry_vO]

Glad you got it working Stiz! Unfortunately I don't have any more time to play until Friday I think..

[wombat666]

My copy is available for collection this Thursday!

[grunau_baby]

Any chance on classic Lancia cars this time? I didn´t get the last version, because I found it too far off! Classic Group B screams for a Delta S4 or 034!

Alex

[stiz]

the car list

60's Rally Class:

Mini Cooper 1275S
Lancia Fulvia
Alpine A110

70's Rally Class:

Opel Kadett
Fiat 131 Abarth
Ford Mk.II McRae Escort (Restricted) *NOT ACCESSIBLE: To follow via special DLC pack?*

80's Rear Wheel Drive Rally Class:

Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (VIP code required for use)
Opel Manta 400
Renault 5

Group B Rally Class:

Audi Sport Quattro
Ford RS200E
Austin Metro 6R4

90's Rally Class:

Subaru Impreza (555) WRX STi (VIP code required for use)
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Toyota Celica GT4 ST205

Open (Rally America) Rally Class:

Ford Fiesta
McRae R4 (VIP code required for use)
Subaru Impreza GDB (N12 shape) WRX STi
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Subaru Impreza GR (N14 shape) WRX STI

Super 2000 Rally Class:

Peugeot 207
Fiat Grand Punto Abarth

WRC Rally Class:

Ford Focus RS WRC 2010
Citroen C4 WRC 2010
Ford Fiesta WRC 2011
Mini Countryman WRC 2011

Raid Rally Class:

Bowler Nemesis
Volkswagon Touareg TDI
Mitsubishi Racing Lancer
Hummer H3 (VIP code required for use)

Rallycross Class:

Ford RS200E2
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Ford Fiesta Mk.7 T16 4x4
Peugeot 207 T16 4x4
Subaru Impreza GR (N14 shape) WRX STI
Metro 6R4

Classic Trailblazer Class:

Pikes Peak Audi Sport quattro
Toyota Tacoma Special
Peugeot 405 T16 (VIP code required for use)

Modern Trailblazer Class:

Suzuki SX4 Special - Hillclimb spec.
BMW Z4M
Ford Fiesta - 2009 Pikes Peak spec.
RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580

Landrush Buggy Class:

Fictional Codemasters Buggy

Landrush Stadium Truck Class:

Fictional Codemasters Stadium Truck

Gymkhana Class:

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
GYM3 Ford Fiesta
GYM2 Subaru Impreza GR (N14 shape) WRX STI
GYM1 Subaru Impreza GDB (N12 shape) WRX STi

26 rally cars in the main game (+1 car to be unlocked)
23 other cars in the main game
49 cars in total in the main game (+ 1 car to be unlocked)

[wombat666]

Loading my copy in an hour or so.
Loved seeing the X-Box and PS3 versions priced at A$15.00 (US$20.00+/-) more than than the PC offering!!

[grunau_baby]

Not a bad lot:
Lancia Fulvia
Alpine A110
Opel Kadett
Fiat 131 Abarth
Audi Sport Quattro
Austin Metro 6R4
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Fiat Grand Punto Abarth

Mini Countryman WRC 2011 (sorry, this´s soooo ugly a car...)

Metro 6R4
Pikes Peak Audi Sport quattro

Will think about a purchase, though leaving out the Stratos should be a pure NoGo!

Alex

[Ferry_vO]

After installing the game I found a keycode in my mailbox that gave me access to more cars from the start, more liveries and more events; nice!

A few more shots; rallycross on ice :





The Delta Intergrale in Finland:







Drifting in the Ford Fiesta Hillclimb:



Showing the younger sibling the Fiesta how it's done in the RS200:

[wombat666]

There appears to be a problem with saving settings, and I have a feeling in my case it might be a conflict with 'Live' between DiRT2 and DiRT3.
What is annoying me is the apparent lack of running with an off line profile as in DiRT2 ........

[Ferry_vO]

Have you checked the no-grip forums? There are a few posible solutions there. Have to try a few myself though, it's somewhat annoying to reset the wheel everytime I start the game.

[wombat666]

It seems as if a work around is to hit 'Button 3' on one's wheel, figuring out which button is '3' is not that simple .......
WTF happened to the old reliable 'Hit Enter'????

[Ferry_vO]

If you use the G25, the right button should be the third red button from the left on the gear shifter.

[wombat666]

Might have to go back to the G25, nothing (so far) seems to work with my Fanatec 911 GT2 wheel.
More research needed .......................

[Ferry_vO]

Apparently there are a few more cars to be unlocked in the game, including a few I know Alex will like!:

http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/sh....php?p=1381493

[grunau_baby]

Allright, it´s on my shopping list!!!!

[Ferry_vO]

[Ferry_vO]

I'm having almost as much fun taking screenshots as I am driving!

Rally in Norway on snow and ice:





Trailblazing in a 885 kilo, 800 bhp Pikes Peak Toyota Tacoma on snow! :d :



Rallycross in Monaco:



Like my tech guy said after this race:"Most sports use one ball, this sport takes two."

The Gymkhana is fun, but I'm no good at it though..

[Ferry_vO]

The first update is available which lets you buy additional cars through the Windows live marketplace; the Sierra RS500 is the first one IIRC. There will be special Colin McRae cars on sale, with proceeds going to charity.

Meanwhile I am slowly improving my gymkhana skills, I even managed to score over 250,000 points once. On some tracks I'm happy if I can get over 150,000 though.. The narrow radius donuts and spins are the hardest parts for me.

[stiz]

i just gave up on the gymkhana stuff, lowered the difficultaty to easy, i just wanna rally! :mixedsmi:

[Ferry_vO]

Agreed Stiz, the rally(cross) parts are the best and bring back memories of the old CmR series, but IMHO the stages are a bit too open and too fast. I like 'em narrow and more technical.