Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

  • Summary: (Also known as "Colin McRae: DiRT 2" in the UK/EU) DiRT 2 takes racing games to a new level with thrilling new race types, striking locations, big event atmosphere, and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines, each selected to deliver spectacular, fast-paced racing. Taking players on an exhilarating World Tour, DiRT 2 delivers over 100 stunning events, including aggressive, multi-vehicle races and intense solo challenges, set in the most diverse and demanding real-world environments. From the muddy tracks of the Malaysian rainforest to spectator-packed stadiums in London and Los Angeles, racers compete in contemporary off-road race disciplines covering Rallycross, Trailblazer, Raid, Landrush, and Rally. Embracing the culture and new heroes of modern off-road racing, DiRT 2 features an exciting line-up of the best new rally drivers - including the multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block alongside Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra, and Tanner Faust, who help players build their racing career. [Codemasters] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 63
  2. Negative: 0 out of 63
  1. The original Dirt was a fantastic game. It had great driving physics, graphics, and a slick presentation, all of which conspired to create one of my favorite racing games of all time. Dirt 2 eclipses its predecessor on every front, and packages it in a modern, accessible package that race fans of any gaming pedigree are sure to enjoy.
  2. 100
    There are so many courses, cars and race types in DiRT 2 that it's almost overwhelming to look at your world map. At one point I had almost 30 unlocked, un-played events just waiting to be tackled. It's a dense game with a lot to do, and you'll want to do it all.
  3. This title manages to combine the fun and excitement of the X Games with a technically solid racing engine and come up with an experience that can satisfy nearly every kind of race fan. Add to that tons of unlockables and challenges, toss in some excellent multiplayer, shake well with a lot of attitude, and you’ve got a game that no racing enthusiast should miss!
  4. A solid racing experience being far too "extreme" for its own good. [Oct 2009, p.72]

See all 63 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. csuperbrothers
    10
    DiRT2 by Codemasters is the loveliest pure travel experience for PS3 since thatgamecompany's Flower. It's immense, sublime, spectacularly well presented & masterfully paced. For best results, switch off the HUD, bring the camera down low & put something blissful & relentless (eg: Caribou). Hats off to the team at Codemasters for matching the intensity & polish of Evolution's Motorstorm: Pacific Rift in a more traditional offroad package! Expand
  2. The best racing game of all time.
    That basically sums it up. I normally write long reviews and detailed reviews but I don't feel I need to he
    re.
    The presentation in beautiful. The loading screens and game set up screens are wonderfully done. If I had to complain it takes a little long to get in a race and the game does not give you very many name choices when you set up your career. But Codemasters racing does presentation better than anyone except EA. That is praise by the way.
    The sound is great. The license music is good and only plays during replays and loading or set-up screens.
    The graphics are amazing. Like, Grid the game has a soft but pleasant look with the best lighting in any racing game. Better than Forza 4 and GT5. The bloom is everywhere but it is not distracting and I actually think Dirt 3 is not as good looking as this version. I think Codemasters has the best graphics engine for racing games. The textures, sky boxes....it just works and looks great.
    I do have a few complains. The dirt particles are wonderful but the tires do not leave any marks. It is a slight complain and does not distract from the gameplay but I WANNA SEE THAT IN THE FUTURE! To me that is important. It would be great if a torn up track could effect control. Make it happen.
    The control is perfect. Sega Rally was the king for a long long time and I thought Codemasters old Colin McRae games did not get the physics right. They just controlled like cars to me on the street. Not here. If you hit lose dirt you will know it.
    Car selection is the normal Rally Cars you have seen for years, The Focus, WRX, and Lancer are all here. They look great, the cars have a beautiful reflection to them, the **** pits look great, and the car liveries are the best I have seen.
    The track selection is the best in the genre. Thank God I do not have to race on the same boring real world tracks that populate every other racer. Here you have cities converted into mud holes, you race in different times of the day, there are at least 8 different race types and several unlockables to keep the game fresh. Codemasters are the king of keeping the game fresh.
    That includes the career which is the best in the business. It is set up brilliantly and you are constantly opening up cars, tracks, and special events. No repetitive career here. Also no Gymkhana crap like Dirt 3 has. This is all racing and there is so much variety it is impossible to get bored.
    The best part? All of it is available online and unlike the first Dirt you have racing as well as the time trials and the lag is hardly ever an issue.
    Between the great tracks and track variety, the game engine which is the best in the business, the great career mode and online modes, the lighting, and most importantly the best control and physics of any off road racer, Dirt 2 is the king of the genre and it is so dominate over the competition it isn't fair. Even the 1st party titles from Sony and Microsoft that gets all the media attention (Forza and Gran Turismo) pales to what Codemasters have created.
    The Codemasters team recently released an arcade racer titled Dirt Showdown. The game is great but it is not really a "Dirt" game. This is a different beast and a much better game in general.
    Codemasters have also decided to just be a racing studio and that is great news. Grid is also an amazing game and even though I am not an F1 fan, Codemasters and there understanding of racers was enough for me to pick that up as well.
    But the fact is Dirt is there true baby. And they have treated the second installment with much respect. It is truly the Halo or Uncharted of the racing genre and one of the best games I ever played period.
    Expand
  3. Enjoyable game, it kept me with a pad in hand for plenty of time. Graphics are very nice, soundtrack is well-selected, I only miss the fact that there is pretty little number of tracks. You won't be disappointed after buying a copy. Expand
  4. MatthewH
    0
    Brilliant Graphics Brilliant Cars Shocking Shocking Shocking Handling!! Just totally unrealalistic handling which ruins the whole experience for me, am Selling now due the shear unrealism Expand

See all 16 User Reviews