Dirt 2 DS unveiled

[Satangel]

Outside of Nintendo's Mario Kart franchise racing games on DS are dominated by one series, and one developer. The guys at Firebrand games have been responsible for bringing the Race Driver series to pocket fans over the last couple years, with the most recent GRID winning best racing/driving game of 2008 for Nintendo DS. These guys know the Nintendo DS technology, and have delivered serious racing on a pocket scale, complete with online, track editors, and some impressive 3D work.

Codemasters is making it official today with the unveil of Dirt 2 DS, a game that takes the best of what GRID had to offer and pushes the system even further. New modes, new options, a stronger editor, and even better single card support? That's just some of what's in store.

Dirt 2 has been created off an evolution of the GRID engine and is tailor-made specifically for DS. Capturing the same extreme sports lifestyle as the console versions, Dirt 2 is all about taking players on a rally-inspired world tour experience. Influenced by huge rally events like the X-Games, the game's primary mode – the global tour – takes players to exotic real-world locations and offers a huge lineup of both rally and off-road vehicles.

Codemasters has unveiled five vehicles thus far in Dirt 2 DS, but it's obvious that the game is going for a varied, "drive how you want" kind of style. Confirmed so far is the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Nissan 350z, Hummer H3, Mitsubishi Evo, and Kincaid Ford F150. The game consists of both circuit and point-to-point racing, so those that want classic street would grab the 350z, rally fans have the Evo and Impreza, and bigger off-road events will make huge use of the H3 and F150. Additionally, Dirt 2 features not only the world tour mode but also arcade races and a challenge mode with 20 events, rewarding players for performing huge jumps, power sliding, and high speed runs.

Multiplayer of course returns in Dirt 2, with this version allowing for four players to compete in five event championships over Wi-Fi. If you don't want to take your game online, tracking down other DS owners will open up single card play where up to four players can race each other in three event challenges off a single cart.

And then there's the customization. As Race Driver fans would expect the track editor returns, but this time there's a whole lot more to work with. The editor runs in full 3D, and for the first time in the Create and Race series players can not only create circuit tracks but also open world point-to-point races. Using the stylus, players can use the simple Free Draw tool to create tracks in a matter of minutes, or get technical and design complex stages one piece at a time. As with other Create and Race games by Firebrand, players can then hook up and share tracks or race on them via wireless connection.

If track design isn't your thing there's plenty to do when it comes to car customization as well. Players have full reign to draw custom icons, unlock stamps, as well as vinyl stickers to show off their own styles on the track.

Source

 

[teonintyfive]

That looks good. I haven't played Grid but Trackmania was amazing.

 

[tinymonkeyt]

Oh dang, it's like Grid + Trackmania + Wifi. AWESOME.

 

[shakirmoledina]

grid was a little depressing bcz it became more hard and not arcady but i think this game may just improve upon that

 

[GeekyGuy]

"drive how you want"

Hmm...well, I had a hard time getting into GRID, and I wouldn't necessarily expect anything other than a racing sim from Codemasters. I really don't know what to make of that statement, though. If the game gives me the option to play with a more arcadey style, I'll be all up on this.

 

[X D D X]

I'm so excited, i really can't wait for this. I've played Grid DS to death and still play it every now and then. I hope this one's just as good and hopefull the Wifi community is bigger for it.

 

[Vidboy10]

Wow, For a DS Driving game those Graphics Look HORRIBLE.

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Wow, For a DS Driving game those Graphics Look HORRIBLE.

+1

 

[naglaro00]

Not another Firebrand Games...... game... TBH worst ports ever

 

[benjaminlibl]

It's not very appealing, graphically. I think that alone might keep me from playing it. I've never been a big fan of these realistic driving games anyway. Mario Kart for the win.

 

[Joe88]

I wouldnt touch this game with a ten foot pole

 

[Fakie!]

Trackmania was enjoyable, but it was full of annoying glitches.

 

[MAD_BOY]

Firebrand is the only one who got it down how to make a semi-realistic ds racer. Oh and System 3 too with Ferrari Challenge, but that engine felt awfully similar as the firebrand engine.
Loved the first race driver, GRID was ok. Expecting a lot from this game now that I know they're working it.
Also, IMO this game looks really good graphically, specially the screeny with the buggies.

 

[Overlord Nadrian]

The car graphics look great, but the rest looks like shit to me.