14 DAY TRIAL // What we know:
Dirt Showdown is the latest racing game from Codemasters, the studio that brought fans the Dirt franchise, not to mention the F1 series or standalone titles, like Race Driver: GRID.
The new Dirt game takes the series in a new direction, as players are no longer tasked with completing rally stages, like in previous titles. Instead, in Dirt Showdown, the emphasis is put on destruction and showmanship.
Players will have to tour the world, from San Francisco to Miami, London or Tokyo, in a competition that spans three major disciplines, from races to derbies and stunts.
First off, there are Racing events that now involve full-contact gameplay, meaning players can use both their cars and the obstacles on the track to slow down their opponents and gain the upper hand.
After that, players need to compete in full on Demolition derbies, where they go head to head against opponents in order to see who can wreak the most havoc.
Last but not least, there are the Hoonigan events, where gamers go to huge stunt parks and try to pull off as many tricks as possible, including ones already seen in Dirt 3’s Gymkhana mode.
Throughout these competitions, gamers have access to all sorts of unique vehicles and can engage in plenty of multiplayer modes, from regular local split-screen to eight-player online races. There are also some bonus party games, not to mention YouTube integration, through which players can upload videos of their best racing and destruction moments.
Why it matters: Codemasters has always impressed with its racing efforts, and Dirt Showdown, even if it doesn’t have the same rally-themed experience, is shaping up to be an impressive title. After the disappointing Flatout 3: Chaos & Destruction, Dirt Showdown is looking like a destruction game that will impress many with its dynamic gameplay.
Look forward to the game’s release in May for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.