EA Sports WRC, developed by Codemasters and published by EA Sports, marks a new direction for the World Rally Championship gaming franchise. With Codemasters’ extensive experience in off-road racing, this game seamlessly combines their expertise with the official cars, teams, and stages of the WRC. We playtested the PlayStation 5 version for this review.
The handling in WRC has seen notable improvements over last year’s WRC Generations, especially on tarmac surfaces. While there’s still room for refinement, the handling across different terrains like gravel, snow, and asphalt is exceptionally enjoyable – showcasing Codemasters’ many years of experience within the genre. The default settings work well, but the game also allows for customization to cater to individual play styles and control setups. Whether you’re using a controller or a steering wheel setup, the driving experience is engaging. The physics model transitioned smoothly to a new engine as well, now running on the Unreal engine.
Rally School, which is somewhat akin to Gran Turismo’s license tests, imparts basic rally driving principles. While it’s a valuable addition for beginners, a more expansive tutorial series might have been even more beneficial for those who have not played similar games before. Nonetheless, being able to practice each lesson on various surface types adds value and will ultimately pay off.
The Career mode offers a strategic approach to progression, allowing players to choose events and manage budgets, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay. Starting in Junior WRC, WRC2, or full-fledged WRC, players navigate through seasons, making critical decisions regarding event choices. Each week presents a range of options, including WRC rallies, alternative championships, Talent Scout events, and more. Managing budgets and keeping the benefactor happy adds an interesting twist to the typical Career mode experience.
The extensive roster of cars, ranging from current WRC vehicles to historic cars, offers a diverse and authentic driving experience. Each vehicle handles true to its real-life counterpart, giving players a genuine taste of rally racing history. From the current WRC monsters to classic Group B and Group A cars, the roster provides a broad spectrum of driving experiences. The authenticity in handling adds an extra layer of immersion, especially for purists and those playing with a steering wheel setup.
The game’s 204 stages are spread across 17 locations, with an additional one expected post-launch. From the rough dirt roads of Kenya to the tarmac trails in Japan, each stage provides a technical and rewarding challenge. The diversity in stage conditions and terrains keeps the gameplay interesting, making each race a unique experience. Having over 200 stages to play on ensures a wealth of content for players to explore as well, giving this one a lot of lasting appeal.
Builder mode introduces a creative aspect to EA Sports WRC, allowing players to design their rally car from scratch. While customization options are somewhat limited in this mode, it’s a welcome feature, especially for those who want to use their custom-built vehicle in Career mode. The ability to choose a base class, select drivetrain and mechanical parts, and customize the vehicle adds a personal touch to the experience.
Visually, the game excels with impressive car models and dynamic environmental effects. However, some stage details and character models may not be as refined – when you compare them to what you see in the likes of Forza. The cars are meticulously designed though, capturing the essence of their real-world counterparts, and environmental effects like dirt sprays and dynamic weather conditions add to the realism.
While the game predominantly maintains its target of 60 frames per second, occasional performance hiccups may disrupt the flow. Screen-tearing, though not constant, makes appearances and can momentarily disrupt immersion. These technical drawbacks, while not pervasive, are noticeable enough to warrant attention – and the first post-launch patch for the game is already being rolled out to address some of these issues.
In summary, EA Sports WRC is a strong entry into the World Rally Championship gaming series. With its top notch driving experience, challenging stages, and diverse modes, it offers a comprehensive rally racing package. While there are some minor technical issues and room for improvement in certain aspects, it stands as a rewarding rally game that captures the essence of the sport, and this is the best modern rally racing experience you’ll find at the moment.
Score: 8.3/10
Press Play Media 