Xbox

Colin McRae Rally 04

I think this game is simply the best Rally game yet made - maybe not the best 'racing game' or 'driving simulator' but there's no other game that combines instinctive handling, smart graphics and top replays to convey the look and sound, the power and fury, and the precision and skill of rallying. A superb game that lays down a real benchmark for future rally games.

When you go to your local games store and you’re in need of a rally sim, you are most likely to buy Colin McRae. Not such a strange thing you might think if it weren’t for the fact that it would be part 3 for the PC and part 4 for the consoles. I’m not saying part 3 was a bad game, far from, but if I were you I’d buy the console version because it’s simply a better game.

Une vraie leçon de pilotage en provenance d’Angleterre. Codemasters, qui n’aura jamais mieux mérité son nom, réalise avec Colin McRae Rally 04 une simulation de conduite magistrale, réaliste, et à la durée de vie excellente. Nul doute que WRC 3 devra avoir de multiples atouts sous le capot pour réussir à se hisser au niveau du dernier rejeton de la famille McRae.

You can't really fault Colin McRae Rally 04. Its flawless presentation, stunning visuals, well done audio, lengthy lifespan and superb gameplay set it apart from the competition and clearly places Codemasters back on top. Rally enthusiasts and racing fans alike will love it and I'd recommend it to those who aren't particularly interested as well. Sure, like any game it can be improved, but as a rally game, it excels. It doesn't get the Holy Grail of a perfect score purely because Xbox Live isn't pushed to its limits. Apart from that, I can safely say that it's the best rallying game ever.

Still, with high frame rates that won't quit, 52 stages set across eight different countries, an impressive array of environmental effects, multiplayer options in every mode, and all of the strengths of past installments of this series, Colin McRae Rally 04 is a worthwhile pick for any avid Xbox racing enthusiast.

Visually, Rally 04 looks much better than in previous versions. The environments are more detailed with a special attention to realistic road conditions, such as variations of mud, gravel, asphalt, and snow. Cars slowly get grimy as you progress, and vehicle damage looks genuine. The sounds, though sparse, add to the game?s authentic experience. Your navigator steadily calls out the road bumps ahead, while the constant hum of the engine never goes off-key.

Minus the online racing, Colin McRae 04 is a flawless video game replication of rally racing. The graphics, car physics and attention to detail are on par with any console racer currently on store shelves. At a price of $19.99, you simply cannot pass this game up.

Quite possibly the best rally racing game available for the Xbox thus far, Colin McRae Rally 04 is the game to buy if you’re looking for rally racing done right.

Colin McRae Rally 04's overall package is an extremely well-put-together one, which really makes the fact that the game can be purchased for a mere $19.99 almost criminally insane. There is simply nothing wrong enough with this game to make it unworthy of a full retail price, and the fact that it is available as a budget title is really quite a lucky break for any racing fan. It may not be the definitive racing title for your Xbox, but that should not stop you from taking advantage of what is, in essence, an incredible deal in Colin McRae Rally 04.

Colin McRae Rally 04 is a great value at 19.99, plain and simple. Everyting we've always loved about the series, stunning graphics and marvelous physics, is still there and worth the price of admission. It's not as feature-rich as the upcoming Rallisport Challenge 2, but you're getting a well-made and entertaining game for the price. If you're a long-time fan of the series, then this is a no-brainer. If you're a budding rally racing fan, it might not be a bad idea to get both and get your education off to a flying start. Plus it's one of the few established franchises that Xbox owners are getting exclusively over their PS2 owning cousins. What are bragging rights worth to you?

It’s plain to see that Colin McRae Rally 04 does a lot of things right, but the most astounding part of the package is the price: 20 bucks. That’s right this is officially a budget title. Despite its small problems and lack of online play, that’s just insane. This is a well-rounded game that would still be recommended if it cost full fare, so race to the store and pick up a copy before they come to their senses and sell it for what it’s worth.

Colin McRae Rally 4 is a solid rally game. It offers lots of variety in cars, tracks and challenges. It plays well, looks great and sounds amazing. In my opinion however, this is the game that CMR 3 should have been.

Beaten in almost aspect by the Rallisports Challenge 2, out with the old in with the new. Fun while it lasts and good for people who want a challenging and realistic rally game. Rent it. Experience it. Move on to bigger things.