I have been playing WRC: Rally Evolved for over two decades now, and I can confidently say that I have finally mastered the game. Even after all these years, I still find myself coming back to it. Released in 2005, this game was the last official World Rally Championship game developed by Evolution Studios before they went on to create the MotorStorm series.
When you first start the game, you are greeted with a cool intro sequence backed by the music of Kasabian. Then, you are presented with a few options to choose from. You can opt for a Quick Race, which randomly puts you in different cars and rally stages each time. Or, you can dive into the main meat of the game with the Championship mode. There are also options for a Single Stage, Single Rally, Rally Cross, Historic Challenge, and Test Track. Each mode offers a unique experience, from time trials to competitive racing against other cars onscreen.
The Championship mode is where you'll spend most of your time, and it's divided into four categories: Super 1600, WRC novice, WRC professional, and WRC expert. The Super 1600 class is perfect for beginners, with smaller and less powerful cars to get you started. As you progress through the game, you can unlock more challenging categories and compete in 16 rallies, each consisting of three stages. You can choose to follow the real-life World Rally Championship calendar, or tackle the rallies in any order you prefer.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this game is the co-driver, who sits in the passenger seat and guides you through the rally with his off-road jargon. In the past, I have to admit that most of what he said went over my head. But now, I have come to appreciate his role in the game. Not only does he provide useful information about upcoming turns and hazards, but he also gives some pretty harsh feedback on your performance. His constant put-downs used to sting, but now I've grown resilient to them.
The cars in WRC: Rally Evolved have a grounded and slightly weighty feel to them, making the driving experience more realistic. The weather effects are also well-executed, with races taking place in fog, rain, and thunderstorms. Each rally offers a different terrain and environment, from the beautiful sunset in Greece to driving over a dam and along a lively seafront in Japan.
As for the graphics, I have to admit that they may seem a bit dated compared to modern rally games. But to me, that doesn't matter at all. The game's physics work so well that it's incredibly satisfying to navigate through the international tracks, dodging unexpected incidents and splashing through massive puddles. And for those who are real petrolheads, there's even an option to tinker with your car's settings, from gear ratios to tyre choices.
Overall, WRC: Rally Evolved has an authentic atmosphere that immerses you in the world of rallying. The occasional appearance of fans at the edges of the track adds to the realism, but beware of running into them as it will result in a penalty. For me, this game will always hold a special place in my heart, not just because of the memories associated with it, but because it's a well-crafted and challenging game that I still enjoy playing today.
