itsNephilim
Bio
Avid gamer and online journalist/review for Dutch platform "intheGame Media".
Occasional streamer on Twitch via https://www.twitch.tv/itsnephilim
Avid gamer and online journalist/review for Dutch platform "intheGame Media".
Occasional streamer on Twitch via https://www.twitch.tv/itsnephilim
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Received 5+ likes on a review while featured on the front page
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Gained 10+ total review likes
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Played in 2024
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Check out my full review (in Dutch) on our website:
https://inthegame.nl/2023/09/28/review-ea-sports-fc-24/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
EA Sports FC 24 is officially the successor to the FIFA series, and of course, we've thoroughly examined it. Can this well-known game with a new name bring something new? It's that time of the year again when football fans worldwide get their virtual kicks with the latest football game. Normally, it's a new FIFA, but this year, Electronic Arts is using a different name for the series. EA SPORTS FC 24 promises to be a game that takes us to a new level of football experience. With innovations in gameplay, graphical splendor, and an abundance of new features, it's time to discover if this game lives up to its promises.
The new and innovative way of playing football
In terms of gameplay, EA SPORTS FC 24 has added some exciting new features that elevate the game to a higher level. The evolution of the Hypermotion mechanic gives players even more control over their touch and ball control, making every movement more precise and responsive. Additionally, Player Traits have been refined in a new system called "PlayStyles+," a detailed system derived from real-world play. Some players are known for exceptional crossing abilities, while others excel in speed and agility.
These PlayStyles are represented under each player in the form of a colored medal, with a better color indicating better performance.
Another notable addition is the 'Dynamic Tactics' feature. This allows players to adjust their team's tactics during the game based on the situation on the field. Whether you're trying to maintain a lead or catch up from behind, this feature provides a new level of strategic depth.
Ultimate Team is back in action
An aspect that cannot go unnoticed in football games and, of course, Electronic Arts' main revenue stream. EA SPORTS FC 24 brings back Ultimate Team, where players can build their dream team with cards of different players. Unfortunately, it's crucial to note that microtransactions are still present. While it's possible to make progress without spending extra money, this may be a point of concern for some players.
Of course, this game mode is the most important for most enthusiasts. This year, there have been some changes, some welcome, and others raising questions. For instance, Position Modifier cards are gone, allowing players more flexibility in formations. Players can now be moved to other positions, and their card is instantly transformed into a card for that position.
Men and women playing together
This is mainly seen in the Ultimate Team mode but also in Clubs (the successor to the notorious Pro Clubs mode). Men and women can now play together on the same team, bringing a fun dynamic between players. You'll see some players on the field playing together who would never normally be in the same match, whether shoulder to shoulder or opposing each other.
However, mixing the two genders brings some odd game gimmicks. The average female character in EA SPORTS FC 24 is mainly of average height but has excellent stats everywhere. However, it's strange to see a smaller woman easily push a big guy like Erling Haaland off the ball with one shoulder shove and maintain possession.
Although this plays well in-game, allowing you to deploy a significant number of new players to break your opposition or create a more unique team, it breaks the realism and the fun of playing or obtaining a specific character.
Graphical Aspects
One of the first things that stands out in EA SPORTS FC 24 is the stunning graphical progress. Players look more realistic than ever before. The smallest details, from sweat beads on the forehead to grass stains on the knees, contribute to an almost photorealistic experience. The stadiums are also more impressive than ever, with an unprecedented attention to detail that reflects the atmosphere of a real football stadium.
For example, you can see that almost all menus have been revamped. Instead of a simple background, you now see players in action, commentators reporting on your match, or fans getting excited in the stands. This adds a bit more immersion to the game and makes it less bare than before.
Summary
EA Sports FC 24 is the successor to the FIFA series and promises to offer a refreshing football gaming experience. The game introduces exciting gameplay improvements, including the evolution of the Hypermotion mechanic for more precise ball control. The new "PlayStyles+" system refines Player Traits. The addition of 'Dynamic Tactics' provides more strategic depth, allowing players to adjust their team's tactics during the match. Ultimate Team makes a return, but microtransactions remain a point of concern. The ability for men and women to play together in teams adds an interesting dynamic, though it sometimes leads to peculiar situations. Graphically, EA Sports FC 24 is impressive, with detailed players and stadiums, and revamped menus for a more immersive experience.
It's not a new game, but rather an old acquaintance in a different guise. The FIFA name is gone, but it's clear to see and feel that it's a new version of the previous football game. It's unfortunate that there hasn't been much effort to make real changes. In my opinion, Electronic Arts should have seized this "reboot" with both hands and given the "new" series a good start by making significant changes to the game and breathing new life into the football genre.
https://inthegame.nl/2023/09/28/review-ea-sports-fc-24/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
EA Sports FC 24 is officially the successor to the FIFA series, and of course, we've thoroughly examined it. Can this well-known game with a new name bring something new? It's that time of the year again when football fans worldwide get their virtual kicks with the latest football game. Normally, it's a new FIFA, but this year, Electronic Arts is using a different name for the series. EA SPORTS FC 24 promises to be a game that takes us to a new level of football experience. With innovations in gameplay, graphical splendor, and an abundance of new features, it's time to discover if this game lives up to its promises.
The new and innovative way of playing football
In terms of gameplay, EA SPORTS FC 24 has added some exciting new features that elevate the game to a higher level. The evolution of the Hypermotion mechanic gives players even more control over their touch and ball control, making every movement more precise and responsive. Additionally, Player Traits have been refined in a new system called "PlayStyles+," a detailed system derived from real-world play. Some players are known for exceptional crossing abilities, while others excel in speed and agility.
These PlayStyles are represented under each player in the form of a colored medal, with a better color indicating better performance.
Another notable addition is the 'Dynamic Tactics' feature. This allows players to adjust their team's tactics during the game based on the situation on the field. Whether you're trying to maintain a lead or catch up from behind, this feature provides a new level of strategic depth.
Ultimate Team is back in action
An aspect that cannot go unnoticed in football games and, of course, Electronic Arts' main revenue stream. EA SPORTS FC 24 brings back Ultimate Team, where players can build their dream team with cards of different players. Unfortunately, it's crucial to note that microtransactions are still present. While it's possible to make progress without spending extra money, this may be a point of concern for some players.
Of course, this game mode is the most important for most enthusiasts. This year, there have been some changes, some welcome, and others raising questions. For instance, Position Modifier cards are gone, allowing players more flexibility in formations. Players can now be moved to other positions, and their card is instantly transformed into a card for that position.
Men and women playing together
This is mainly seen in the Ultimate Team mode but also in Clubs (the successor to the notorious Pro Clubs mode). Men and women can now play together on the same team, bringing a fun dynamic between players. You'll see some players on the field playing together who would never normally be in the same match, whether shoulder to shoulder or opposing each other.
However, mixing the two genders brings some odd game gimmicks. The average female character in EA SPORTS FC 24 is mainly of average height but has excellent stats everywhere. However, it's strange to see a smaller woman easily push a big guy like Erling Haaland off the ball with one shoulder shove and maintain possession.
Although this plays well in-game, allowing you to deploy a significant number of new players to break your opposition or create a more unique team, it breaks the realism and the fun of playing or obtaining a specific character.
Graphical Aspects
One of the first things that stands out in EA SPORTS FC 24 is the stunning graphical progress. Players look more realistic than ever before. The smallest details, from sweat beads on the forehead to grass stains on the knees, contribute to an almost photorealistic experience. The stadiums are also more impressive than ever, with an unprecedented attention to detail that reflects the atmosphere of a real football stadium.
For example, you can see that almost all menus have been revamped. Instead of a simple background, you now see players in action, commentators reporting on your match, or fans getting excited in the stands. This adds a bit more immersion to the game and makes it less bare than before.
Summary
EA Sports FC 24 is the successor to the FIFA series and promises to offer a refreshing football gaming experience. The game introduces exciting gameplay improvements, including the evolution of the Hypermotion mechanic for more precise ball control. The new "PlayStyles+" system refines Player Traits. The addition of 'Dynamic Tactics' provides more strategic depth, allowing players to adjust their team's tactics during the match. Ultimate Team makes a return, but microtransactions remain a point of concern. The ability for men and women to play together in teams adds an interesting dynamic, though it sometimes leads to peculiar situations. Graphically, EA Sports FC 24 is impressive, with detailed players and stadiums, and revamped menus for a more immersive experience.
It's not a new game, but rather an old acquaintance in a different guise. The FIFA name is gone, but it's clear to see and feel that it's a new version of the previous football game. It's unfortunate that there hasn't been much effort to make real changes. In my opinion, Electronic Arts should have seized this "reboot" with both hands and given the "new" series a good start by making significant changes to the game and breathing new life into the football genre.
Check out my full review (in Dutch) on our website:
https://inthegame.nl/2023/10/04/review-forza-motorsport/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
After 6 long years, a new installment of Forza Motorsport has finally been released. Yes, you read it right, this time not an installment 8 but a reboot of the well-known series.
Xbox and Turn 10 Studios have finally released a new part of Forza Motorsport together, returning to serious racing. No open world like in the Horizon series but cool race tracks that allow wheel-to-wheel action. With a revamped system and a brand-new game engine, this simcade is proudly introduced.
This new installment brings out the real racer in you, whether you're a veteran or motorsport enthusiast. Thanks to the new engine and physics introduced in this game, you have never had so much feeling and control over a virtual speed machine. Each car truly has its own character, just like each circuit. The introduction of race weekends also makes this iteration much more serious, offering something for everyone to learn.
Introduction to Motorsport
This Forza Motorsport game is a must-have for anyone who loves four-wheelers. With this reboot, Turn 10 Studios takes a much more serious and realistic approach.
A significant change and introduction in this series is the use of Race Weekends. This means you have room to grow on a circuit during, for example, free practice. An excellent time to explore the track and see where you can gain time. In these sessions, you can also boost your Car Level by setting good laps. A flawless lap, for example, gives you more XP than a lap where you go off-track. Your Car Level determines the upgrades you unlock for your car, which you can then put on your car to make it a bit faster than your competition.
Almost every class from motorsport is found in this game. From your average Honda Civic Type-R to the Cadillac V.Series-R Hypercar, much is present but not everything. The game currently has 500+ cars available from launch, and a considerable number will be added per month. So, don't be surprised if you don't see a car from the previous series among them.
Unfortunately, this also applies to the race tracks that can be driven. Currently, there are 20 racetracks available, some with two or more layouts, but you'll see them quite quickly, and it seems like every few races are the same. Some legendary circuits are already available, such as Spa-Francorchamps and Laguna Seca. An expansion of the number of circuits has already been announced, with the Nürbürgring-Nordschleife soon to be available.
Full of Detail
Turn 10 Studios also impresses us with details wherever you look, on the track, your car, or your own character. The visual aspect is certainly not lacking, playing on an Xbox Series X, but also on PC, Xbox can be proud of this achievement. The ray tracing brings the world to life on a new level. Although the game is already quite demanding for your graphics card, it is even heavier for your storage device. So, a good disk with a smooth reading speed is recommended if you want to play the game at its highest quality on a computer.
C 63 AMG S at Mount Hakone Circuit in Forza Motorsport - Xbox and Turn 10 Studios
Not only does this game excel in the environment, but also through your controller. Now you might be wondering, what does this guy mean? Forza Motorsport has been completely rebuilt in terms of physics. You feel every movement in your controller, steering wheel, or sim rig like you've never felt before. The control of the car during braking, accelerating out of corners, and of course, flying over the curbs and road surface. Each element has such a unique feel that the immersion only increases, enhancing your control over the car.
What is a racing game without sound, absolutely nothing. Therefore, the sound in this game is well done. A thick V12 engine screams through your speakers, and an old-fashioned muscle car shakes your place with its low tones and roar. Although the audio sounds very detailed, there is a strong emphasis on contact between cars. For example, if you kiss a guardrail or ram a door, you hear a dominating thud that cuts through all other sounds. I personally found this a downside and immediately lowered the audio level to 10%.
Not a simulator but not an arcade racer either
Forza Motorsport treads a fine line between simulator and arcade racer with this series reboot. It is a tribute to the sim-racing community that has grown significantly in the last few years, but it is also a welcome for new motorsport fans. So, the game is a lot more serious, for example, by working with time penalties like Lewis Hamilton always tries to hand out. No more artificial slowdowns like in previous games; now you will pay for your mistakes by adding your time penalty after finishing.
However, it still makes it easy for the novice racer by bringing in all sorts of assists and tools. From steering assistance to the rewind button, almost everything can be turned on and off to make the game as enjoyable or realistic as possible for you. You can also, of course, set the CPU opponents to match your speed on the asphalt. I played with all assists off and opponents at the maximum, which didn't give me much competition, so there may still be a difficulty level or two to add.
Casual with friends or winning a championship
The online mode is also quite present, and in my opinion, Turn 10 has taken a bit from the Gran Turismo series. So, there are now daily races with certain classes of cars, such as GT3 or prototypes. This, along with a race weekend, seems a lot like their competition at Sony Playstation.
Although it seems copied, they still do it quite well. Organize small races with your friends or jump into open lobbies and feature races with other motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. If you want to take it a bit more seriously, you can also sign up for an online championship that runs over a few weeks, just like the real deal.
With the introduction of online race weekends, we might see real championships being broadcast on streaming services or YouTube. There are also some rumors circulating about an Esports championship in this game. This should hopefully give an idea of how detailed this game really is.
Summary
After years of waiting, this reboot is welcome to fans of the series but also new fans. The game is full of detail, audio, and visual but also excellent in terms of control. The laser-scanned circuits provide extra depth, although there are not many circuits available at launch.
The catalog of 500+ cars, each with its historical story, is certainly nice to see, but here too, some iconic cars are missing at launch.
The most significant thing Forza does well is incorporating reality into a game, not so much in the environment but mainly in the setup of a race weekend. The introduction of necessary pit stops, different race sessions throughout the weekend, and upgrading your car.
https://inthegame.nl/2023/10/04/review-forza-motorsport/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
After 6 long years, a new installment of Forza Motorsport has finally been released. Yes, you read it right, this time not an installment 8 but a reboot of the well-known series.
Xbox and Turn 10 Studios have finally released a new part of Forza Motorsport together, returning to serious racing. No open world like in the Horizon series but cool race tracks that allow wheel-to-wheel action. With a revamped system and a brand-new game engine, this simcade is proudly introduced.
This new installment brings out the real racer in you, whether you're a veteran or motorsport enthusiast. Thanks to the new engine and physics introduced in this game, you have never had so much feeling and control over a virtual speed machine. Each car truly has its own character, just like each circuit. The introduction of race weekends also makes this iteration much more serious, offering something for everyone to learn.
Introduction to Motorsport
This Forza Motorsport game is a must-have for anyone who loves four-wheelers. With this reboot, Turn 10 Studios takes a much more serious and realistic approach.
A significant change and introduction in this series is the use of Race Weekends. This means you have room to grow on a circuit during, for example, free practice. An excellent time to explore the track and see where you can gain time. In these sessions, you can also boost your Car Level by setting good laps. A flawless lap, for example, gives you more XP than a lap where you go off-track. Your Car Level determines the upgrades you unlock for your car, which you can then put on your car to make it a bit faster than your competition.
Almost every class from motorsport is found in this game. From your average Honda Civic Type-R to the Cadillac V.Series-R Hypercar, much is present but not everything. The game currently has 500+ cars available from launch, and a considerable number will be added per month. So, don't be surprised if you don't see a car from the previous series among them.
Unfortunately, this also applies to the race tracks that can be driven. Currently, there are 20 racetracks available, some with two or more layouts, but you'll see them quite quickly, and it seems like every few races are the same. Some legendary circuits are already available, such as Spa-Francorchamps and Laguna Seca. An expansion of the number of circuits has already been announced, with the Nürbürgring-Nordschleife soon to be available.
Full of Detail
Turn 10 Studios also impresses us with details wherever you look, on the track, your car, or your own character. The visual aspect is certainly not lacking, playing on an Xbox Series X, but also on PC, Xbox can be proud of this achievement. The ray tracing brings the world to life on a new level. Although the game is already quite demanding for your graphics card, it is even heavier for your storage device. So, a good disk with a smooth reading speed is recommended if you want to play the game at its highest quality on a computer.
C 63 AMG S at Mount Hakone Circuit in Forza Motorsport - Xbox and Turn 10 Studios
Not only does this game excel in the environment, but also through your controller. Now you might be wondering, what does this guy mean? Forza Motorsport has been completely rebuilt in terms of physics. You feel every movement in your controller, steering wheel, or sim rig like you've never felt before. The control of the car during braking, accelerating out of corners, and of course, flying over the curbs and road surface. Each element has such a unique feel that the immersion only increases, enhancing your control over the car.
What is a racing game without sound, absolutely nothing. Therefore, the sound in this game is well done. A thick V12 engine screams through your speakers, and an old-fashioned muscle car shakes your place with its low tones and roar. Although the audio sounds very detailed, there is a strong emphasis on contact between cars. For example, if you kiss a guardrail or ram a door, you hear a dominating thud that cuts through all other sounds. I personally found this a downside and immediately lowered the audio level to 10%.
Not a simulator but not an arcade racer either
Forza Motorsport treads a fine line between simulator and arcade racer with this series reboot. It is a tribute to the sim-racing community that has grown significantly in the last few years, but it is also a welcome for new motorsport fans. So, the game is a lot more serious, for example, by working with time penalties like Lewis Hamilton always tries to hand out. No more artificial slowdowns like in previous games; now you will pay for your mistakes by adding your time penalty after finishing.
However, it still makes it easy for the novice racer by bringing in all sorts of assists and tools. From steering assistance to the rewind button, almost everything can be turned on and off to make the game as enjoyable or realistic as possible for you. You can also, of course, set the CPU opponents to match your speed on the asphalt. I played with all assists off and opponents at the maximum, which didn't give me much competition, so there may still be a difficulty level or two to add.
Casual with friends or winning a championship
The online mode is also quite present, and in my opinion, Turn 10 has taken a bit from the Gran Turismo series. So, there are now daily races with certain classes of cars, such as GT3 or prototypes. This, along with a race weekend, seems a lot like their competition at Sony Playstation.
Although it seems copied, they still do it quite well. Organize small races with your friends or jump into open lobbies and feature races with other motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. If you want to take it a bit more seriously, you can also sign up for an online championship that runs over a few weeks, just like the real deal.
With the introduction of online race weekends, we might see real championships being broadcast on streaming services or YouTube. There are also some rumors circulating about an Esports championship in this game. This should hopefully give an idea of how detailed this game really is.
Summary
After years of waiting, this reboot is welcome to fans of the series but also new fans. The game is full of detail, audio, and visual but also excellent in terms of control. The laser-scanned circuits provide extra depth, although there are not many circuits available at launch.
The catalog of 500+ cars, each with its historical story, is certainly nice to see, but here too, some iconic cars are missing at launch.
The most significant thing Forza does well is incorporating reality into a game, not so much in the environment but mainly in the setup of a race weekend. The introduction of necessary pit stops, different race sessions throughout the weekend, and upgrading your car.
Check out my full review on our website:
https://inthegame.nl/2023/11/08/review-ea-sports-wrc/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
About 2 months ago, EA SPORTS WRC was suddenly announced via Social Media. Behind the scenes, EA has worked with Codemasters on a new Rally title. Can it adequately follow the renowned DiRT Rally series?
It's been over 4 years since Dirt Rally 2.0 was released by Codemasters. In the meantime, the company has been acquired by the mega-concern Electronic Arts and has developed a few games under the new collaboration, mainly the F1 games. However, Codemasters has been known for decades for their rally games, such as the Colin McRae Rally games on the Playstation 1. More recently, the DiRT series has evolved into DiRT Rally.
Where Codemasters left off with the previous Rally game, EA SPORTS WRC must pick up the thread and do justice to the legacy. Meanwhile, the rally world has shifted to new car technology, and some classes have changed.
Accessible to everyone but difficult to master.
Once you jump into one of the many cars in EA SPORTS WRC, you are bombarded with new signals that you don't encounter or feel in most racing games. The car's maneuverability is good and very responsive. Whether you're playing with a controller or a steering wheel and pedal combo, the game provides good feedback regarding the car's behavior.
Compared to DiRT Rally 2.0, EA SPORTS WRC is almost the same but actually takes a half step back in terms of difficulty. The detail in the road surface and car control is still there, but it's a bit more forgiving than the previous game it follows. What I did notice was that the road surface sometimes lacks detail. For example, standard asphalt feels somewhat lifeless, and you don't feel 100% what the car is doing, sometimes relying on guesswork at high speeds.
WRC - Capture 2EA SPORTS WRC by Codemasters and EA SPORTS
If you're not familiar with rally sports in general or want to improve your skills, you can turn to the Rally School. This is a course with a series of exercises that you encounter in most rally stages. From learning pace notes to mastering handbrake turns, almost everything is covered. This functionality reminded me a lot of the driving school in the Gran Turismo series, easy to grasp but challenging to master.
Lots of potential but still incomplete.
During our preview of this game, there were a few bugs. Quite normal for a game that wasn't on its final build at the time. The bugs included cars disappearing during a podium ceremony or a glitching car after a crash. During my sessions tearing through various stages with, of course, a few significant crashes, I still noticed the presence of some bugs. For instance, I was forced to reset my car because it had merged with a guardrail, and even lampposts were not safe.
Resetting your car incurs a time penalty. This was already present in previous rally games, so nothing new. However, the fact that you're almost forced to use the reset button and thereby receive a penalty is not enjoyable. I had to redo stages entirely, which can lead to frustration.
Overall, the game feels very good but somewhat incomplete. This may be because a considerable number of iconic cars are locked behind DLC, but mainly because the world feels empty. Mountains in the distance, for example, are visible but quite bare because you can almost see through the trees. Along the track, you see spectators here and there, but the ambiance around it is somewhat lacking.
Regarding audio, there's not much to complain about. The iconic cars sound good but are not a complete representation of their real sound. The new cars with a hybrid system sound quite similar and lack the punch, for example, of the Subaru Impreza 22B STI.
Gameplay is solid with room for improvement.
Focusing on gameplay, the game feels robust. Certainly a good foundation for potential successors bearing the same name in this series. The cars have good feedback, easily accessible for newcomers and controller players, and the detail from DiRT Rally 2.0 is still largely present.
However, there is still room for improvement in EA SPORTS WRC, mainly in the graphical aspect but also in simple elements such as menus and some gameplay points. The menu is fine at a glance, but if you want to start a quick race or time trial, you have to create an entire rally first. Unfortunately, it's not just buckle up and drive. The menu in the campaign mode is also cumbersome. A screen full of bars and various options that you have to complete in other menus brings a lot of confusion, which caused me a lot of stress before I even got behind the wheel.
In terms of gameplay, the game feels somewhat incomplete. The graphical aspect is fine, but distances in the game can cause a frown on your face. The game plays well, although there are occasional frame skips. The occasional bug is also hard to miss, but that could still be patched out, it seems.
It is certainly a successor to DiRT Rally 2.0; you immediately feel that it comes from the same studio. However, there is still a lot of potential to be tapped in this rally sim, but for a new title, it doesn't look bad.
https://inthegame.nl/2023/11/08/review-ea-sports-wrc/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
About 2 months ago, EA SPORTS WRC was suddenly announced via Social Media. Behind the scenes, EA has worked with Codemasters on a new Rally title. Can it adequately follow the renowned DiRT Rally series?
It's been over 4 years since Dirt Rally 2.0 was released by Codemasters. In the meantime, the company has been acquired by the mega-concern Electronic Arts and has developed a few games under the new collaboration, mainly the F1 games. However, Codemasters has been known for decades for their rally games, such as the Colin McRae Rally games on the Playstation 1. More recently, the DiRT series has evolved into DiRT Rally.
Where Codemasters left off with the previous Rally game, EA SPORTS WRC must pick up the thread and do justice to the legacy. Meanwhile, the rally world has shifted to new car technology, and some classes have changed.
Accessible to everyone but difficult to master.
Once you jump into one of the many cars in EA SPORTS WRC, you are bombarded with new signals that you don't encounter or feel in most racing games. The car's maneuverability is good and very responsive. Whether you're playing with a controller or a steering wheel and pedal combo, the game provides good feedback regarding the car's behavior.
Compared to DiRT Rally 2.0, EA SPORTS WRC is almost the same but actually takes a half step back in terms of difficulty. The detail in the road surface and car control is still there, but it's a bit more forgiving than the previous game it follows. What I did notice was that the road surface sometimes lacks detail. For example, standard asphalt feels somewhat lifeless, and you don't feel 100% what the car is doing, sometimes relying on guesswork at high speeds.
WRC - Capture 2EA SPORTS WRC by Codemasters and EA SPORTS
If you're not familiar with rally sports in general or want to improve your skills, you can turn to the Rally School. This is a course with a series of exercises that you encounter in most rally stages. From learning pace notes to mastering handbrake turns, almost everything is covered. This functionality reminded me a lot of the driving school in the Gran Turismo series, easy to grasp but challenging to master.
Lots of potential but still incomplete.
During our preview of this game, there were a few bugs. Quite normal for a game that wasn't on its final build at the time. The bugs included cars disappearing during a podium ceremony or a glitching car after a crash. During my sessions tearing through various stages with, of course, a few significant crashes, I still noticed the presence of some bugs. For instance, I was forced to reset my car because it had merged with a guardrail, and even lampposts were not safe.
Resetting your car incurs a time penalty. This was already present in previous rally games, so nothing new. However, the fact that you're almost forced to use the reset button and thereby receive a penalty is not enjoyable. I had to redo stages entirely, which can lead to frustration.
Overall, the game feels very good but somewhat incomplete. This may be because a considerable number of iconic cars are locked behind DLC, but mainly because the world feels empty. Mountains in the distance, for example, are visible but quite bare because you can almost see through the trees. Along the track, you see spectators here and there, but the ambiance around it is somewhat lacking.
Regarding audio, there's not much to complain about. The iconic cars sound good but are not a complete representation of their real sound. The new cars with a hybrid system sound quite similar and lack the punch, for example, of the Subaru Impreza 22B STI.
Gameplay is solid with room for improvement.
Focusing on gameplay, the game feels robust. Certainly a good foundation for potential successors bearing the same name in this series. The cars have good feedback, easily accessible for newcomers and controller players, and the detail from DiRT Rally 2.0 is still largely present.
However, there is still room for improvement in EA SPORTS WRC, mainly in the graphical aspect but also in simple elements such as menus and some gameplay points. The menu is fine at a glance, but if you want to start a quick race or time trial, you have to create an entire rally first. Unfortunately, it's not just buckle up and drive. The menu in the campaign mode is also cumbersome. A screen full of bars and various options that you have to complete in other menus brings a lot of confusion, which caused me a lot of stress before I even got behind the wheel.
In terms of gameplay, the game feels somewhat incomplete. The graphical aspect is fine, but distances in the game can cause a frown on your face. The game plays well, although there are occasional frame skips. The occasional bug is also hard to miss, but that could still be patched out, it seems.
It is certainly a successor to DiRT Rally 2.0; you immediately feel that it comes from the same studio. However, there is still a lot of potential to be tapped in this rally sim, but for a new title, it doesn't look bad.