V-Rally 3

The Good
Excellent graphics - the best track graphics of any rally game on PS2. Lots of detail and good frame rates (it occasionally drops but it's not too noticeable).

Fairly Engaging - it plays pretty good and the way the game is structured on and off track promotes you to go further.

Challenging - in some ways it's refreshing to have to work at doing well in a rally game. Despite initially seeming overly unforgiving and difficult, you will get used to it.

The Bad
Off Track Antics - Although the off track parts of this game have better atmosphere than other games, it is less logical and intuitive than the Colin McRae series.

Sound - Both the sound and the music while not being terrible are pretty lack luste. Certainly not on par with the graphics.

The Ugly Physics Model - Arrrggghh! Anyone would think the cars are made of balsa wood the way they fly into space after hitting the smallest bump. Something funny is going on with the physics in this game. Certainly challenging but not realistic. Can be very frustrating at times!!

Number of Tracks - With only 5 or 6 of the rally tour countries it isn't up to scratch with other rally games. This is just a lazy cost cutting measure on the part of the developers.

The Bottom Line
The game is more challenging and frustrating than Colin McRae 3, is a little hard to get into and has some very strange physics at times. It is worth putting a little effort into however and brings some original ideas to the table.