GAMES: GameSpot | GameFAQs MUSIC: Last.fm | MP3.com MOVIES: Metacritic | Movietome TV: TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games TV

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

xx Altered Beast
58 Arkanoid Live!
73 Banjo-Tooie
xx Battlefield 1943
76 Battlestations: Pacific
xx Bigs 2, The
70 Bionic Commando
xx Black College Football: The Xperience - The Doug Williams Edition
90 BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
57 Blazing Birds
xx Burnout Paradise: Big Surf Island
77 Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
71 CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars
82 Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, The
xx Comix Zone
52 Crystal Defenders
37 Damnation
75 Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, The
xx Droplitz
59 Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires
49 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
61 Fable II: See the Future
82 Fallout 3: Broken Steel
83 Fallout 3: Point Lookout
76 Fallout 3: The Pitt
66 FIFA Soccer 09: Ultimate Team
88 Fight Night Round 4
xx Final Fantasy XI: A Crystalline Prophecy
68 Flock!
65 Fuel
xx G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
xx Garou: Mark Of The Wolves
73 Gel: Set & Match
80 Ghostbusters: The Video Game
65 Godfather II, The
84 Guitar Hero: Metallica
76 Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
xx Gunstar Heroes
xx Hannah Montana: The Movie
69 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
73 Hasbro Family Game Night: Battleship
71 Hasbro Family Game Night: Boggle
74 Hasbro Family Game Night: Connect Four
78 Hasbro Family Game Night: Scrabble
71 Hasbro Family Game Night: Sorry!
xx Hasbro Family Game Night: Sorry! Sliders
78 Hasbro Family Game Night: Yahtzee
xx Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
xx Infernal: Hell's Vengeance
xx King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match, The
xx King of Fighters XII, The
25 Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust
76 Lode Runner
79 Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
xx Midnight Club: Los Angeles - South Central
63 Monsters vs. Aliens
74 NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition
xx NCAA Football 10
50 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
68 Ninja Blade
79 OutRun Online Arcade
74 Overlord II
89 Peggle
xx Phantasy Star II
xx PopCap Arcade Vol. 2
78 Prototype
76 Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
73 Raiden Fighters Aces
85 Red Faction: Guerrilla
85 Resident Evil 5
57 Resident Evil 5: Versus
70 Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock
82 Rocket Riot
72 Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
xx Saints Row 2: Corporate Warfare
51 Saints Row 2: Ultor Exposed
74 Sam & Max Save the World
70 SBK 09 Superbike World Championship
xx Shinobi
79 Sonic The Hedgehog 3
80 Space Invaders Extreme
53 Star Trek: D-A-C
48 Stormrise
64 Superstars V8 Racing
49 Terminator Salvation
65 Texas Cheat 'Em
82 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
66 Tomb Raider Underworld: Lara's Shadow
64 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
66 Trivial Pursuit
83 UFC 2009 Undisputed
77 Uno Rush
65 Up
56 Velvet Assassin
71 Virtua Tennis 2009
73 Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram
73 Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Ep 1: Fright of the Bumblebees
62 Wanted: Weapons of Fate
64 Wheelman, The
59 Wolfenstein 3D
81 Worms 2: Armageddon
69 WSC Real 09: World Snooker Championship
71 WWE Legends of Wrestlemania
75 X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition
64 Yosumin Live
49 Zombie Wranglers

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums
DiRT: Colin McRae Off-Road xbox360 Game Reviews
DiRT: Colin McRae Off-Road
Critic Score
Metascore: 83 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.2 out of 10
based on 59 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 56 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

(Formerly known as "Colin McRae Rally 2007" or "CMR '07") After a two-year break for the series, Codemasters Studios' designers have created a reinvigorated McRae experience. The new Colin McRae title goes beyond the series' point-to-point rallying to deliver the most diverse selection of extreme off-road competitions. Sensational gravel, mud and dirt racing events from the world over include perilous Hill Climb and collision-packed Rally Cross events. International rallying competitions are also featured, with official cars on tracks based on real roads and locations around the globe. The title also expands on beat-the-clock racing and includes events with multiple cars on track to satisfy anyone who wants to push their on-the-edge driving just that bit further. [Codemasters]

PUBLISHER: Codemasters
DEVELOPER: Codemasters
GENRE(S): Racing, Driving
PLAYERS: 8
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2007

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
Console Gameworld
DiRT seems to do just about everything right.
Read Full Review
94
Cheat Code Central
Even though DiRT has a few faults, there is no denying that the game is the most fun you will have with a racer because, despite those faults, DiRT delivers on a level that is something to marvel from rally racers.
Read Full Review
93
Game Over Online
Despite its slight gameplay and extensive loading problems, DiRT still delivers the most exciting and rewarding racing action I’ve experienced on the 360, and the finest rally racing experience I’ve ever had in a game.
Read Full Review
92
Games Master UK
A magnificent return that joins the ranks of "Test Drive Unlimited," "PGR3" and "Forza 2." [Aug 2007, p.62]
91
Gamer's Hell
Racing in DiRT will make your heart pound and your hands sweat, but at the same time you’ll be yearning to floor it all the way through.
Read Full Review
91
Game Chronicles
If you enjoy intense racing, against the clock or against other cars, realistic scenery, and the occasional fender bender, you won’t find a better racing game than DiRT. Rally racing has been reborn...welcome to the next generation.
Read Full Review
90
Thunderbolt
The graphics are some of, if not the, best I've seen on the system, and the variety of racing available ensures that you'll never be bored or wanting more.
Read Full Review
90
Play Magazine
One thing I can say for DiRT is that aside from being the most beautiful, it's among the most all-inclusive Rally games to date. [July 2007, p.65]
90
XboxAddict
This title will definitely change your views on off-road racing as the look and style of game play is up to par if not more for current Off-Road Racers to date.
Read Full Review
90
Gamestyle
DiRT is very much an offline game, so if you're looking for online thrills, look elsewhere, it does not deliver. What it does deliver, however, is a single player treat that is nothing short of fantastic.
Read Full Review
90
Official Xbox Magazine
So don't let Dirt's pointed non--"PGR"-ness stop you in the slightest--if all you care about is great gameplay, it's easily one of the best 360 racing games yet. [July 2007, p.74]
90
Team Xbox
Brilliant physics, handling and damage engine are well utilized in this be-all,-end-all ode to four-wheel dirt racing.
Read Full Review
89
Gamer 2.0
So in all, DiRT definitely stands out as a premiere racing game. The gameplay is great—though it may take a bit of getting used to for those you stick to common racing games—and the graphics help push it along as well.
Read Full Review
88
Game Almighty
With graphics and sound like this, only the staunchest of racing-game-haters will be able to skim over this game on the shelves of their local retailer. When you get into the gameplay, it’s pure fun and pure fast – the perfect combination for a racing game. DiRT is easily one of the best looking racing games we’ve ever seen, and provides an amazingly challenging and fun experience – at least in single player mode.
Read Full Review
87
GameTrailers
If you’re looking for the perfect replication of sliding around a gravel corner with all four tires holding on for dear life, then buy it with no reservations. The learning curve is just right regardless of your experience level, there’s a ton of content despite the lack of true online play, and it’s a very pretty game, despite some occasional draw-in.
Read Full Review
87
GamerNode
DiRT is a great rally racer for anyone who enjoys the thrill of this sport. It is also an excellent racer at its core, and thanks to an amazingly deep damage system and graphical appeal, you should definitely sink your teeth into DiRT.
Read Full Review
86
Planet Xbox 360
From the moment you put the disc in the tray, everything about this game says “first class”, until you try to play on Xbox Live. If you’re a gamer that is not completely turned off by wretched multiplayer support, then DiRT should be a welcome addition to your library.
Read Full Review
85
GameZone
It’s a dazzling-looking game with plenty of challenges and a lot to love despite a few weak spots here and there.
Read Full Review
85
Xbox World Australia
DiRT does plenty right and features the most realistic forest and desert environments ever seen in an Xbox racing game.
Read Full Review
85
Kombo
Despite a range of flaws both large and small, DiRT remains a worthy purchase for racing fans.
Read Full Review
85
ZTGameDomain
There is more than enough to see and do and I guarantee once you nail down the vehicle handling you will find a rich and vigorous experience that will entertain you for hours on end.
Read Full Review
85
MS Xbox World
With driving fans having to pick between Forza 2 and this it’s really just a matter of preference even though Forza 2 has more fans, arcade style racers will feel more at home with DiRT.
Read Full Review
85
GamePro
With games like Forza Motorsport 2 pushing the boundaries of Internet racing, the inability to put even two human opponents on the same track is breathtakingly lame. It's testament then to DiRT's groundbreaking graphics, chaotic flare, and infectious love of all things dirty and damaging that it delivers a good gaming value in spite of such a startling deficit.
Read Full Review
85
Da Gameboyz
With great graphics and instant playability this game's overall score is only slightly hampered by the vehicles floaty feeling, some minor frame rate issues and a lack of racing in an online mode with other players on the same track at the same time.
Read Full Review
85
IC-Games
For now DiRT is the only serious rally experience on a next-generation box, fortunate for us then that it’s also pretty damned good as well.
Read Full Review
85
Armchair Empire
Rally fans should have already grabbed this, but I’d even go as far as to challenge non-racing fans to take Dirt for a spin – the challenge of trying to master any given stretch of beautiful road is made compelling enough to try again and again.
Read Full Review
84
Computer and Video Games
Not the rally sim fans will expect, but despite a more arcade-like take, its huge selection of races and high-speed thrills, DiRT is fantastic fun.
Read Full Review
84
IGN
When you can count every leaf on every piece of brush across a three mile track, that's a major graphical accomplishment. If only every aspect of DiRT matched the graphics and presentation, it would be among the top racers on Xbox 360. DiRT still hasn't fixed Colin McRae's longtime use of a central pivot for turning and the racing feels floaty at times.
Read Full Review
84
Jolt Online Gaming UK
For fans of rallying, who have been spoiled for choice in previous years, this is the first really good rally simulation on a next-gen system and as such is pretty much a must-have.
Read Full Review
83
GameSpot
As a graphical showpiece, DiRT is an unbridled success. It also happens to be an entirely enjoyable rally racer.
Read Full Review
83
Game Revolution
A fantastic rally racing game that aims to be a fantastic all-around off-road experience, but like internet porn, next time it needs to get a little dirtier.
Read Full Review
83
Gaming Age
All in all, this is the game that just might finally put the name Codemasters into gamer's minds that haven't enjoyed their past successes like Colin and Pro Race Driver. DiRT isn't too simish or arcady but finds that nice blend that goes down smooth everytime.
Read Full Review
83
Gaming Target
Combining realistic graphics – on par with MotorStorm, no less – with realistic yet arcadey gameplay, you really can’t go amiss with this awesome release.
Read Full Review
83
GameShark
DiRT is a great game to show off your Xbox 360’s graphical capabilities and is a fun and addictive racing game with a high amount of replay value.
Read Full Review
82
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
A beautiful and varied title, but you feel it might be holding something back. [Aug 2007, p.66]
82
Electronic Gaming Monthly
For me, this is what I had hoped "MotorStorm" would have delivered. With the exception of online racing, Dirt delivers on much of what that game so sorely lacked. [Aug 2007, p.78
81
DailyGame
Definitely more inviting to non-rallycross fans, and the graphics and modes are certainly a boost. Unfortunately, the online mode is a letdown, as are the framerate issues.
Read Full Review
80
DarkStation
With beautiful visuals and solid gameplay mechanics, I would highly recommend any racing fan checking DiRT out.
Read Full Review
80
GameTap
Dirt is an excellent counterpoint to the shallower, more arcade-y MotorStorm, offering serious racing fans a full-bodied game replete with HD-gen graphics, physics, sound, and a great depth of off-road racing types.
Read Full Review
80
Video Game Talk
The extensive single player career mode will have you playing for weeks on end. Unfortunately, the multiplayer design flaws hurts the replay value after the single player is completed.
Read Full Review
80
GameSpy
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of DiRT is the poorly implemented multiplayer portion of the game. Instead of allowing you to try some of the head-to-head events that are included in the single-player game, like the Rally Raids or CORR events, you're limited to single-car hill climbs and rally events against times being uploaded by other players in your session.
Read Full Review
80
PALGN
DiRT is a great rally game and a return to grace for Codemaster's Colin McRae rally series. With a fantastic damage model system and absolutely gorgeous graphics this is a game that could even sway those who are normally put off by rally games.
Read Full Review
80
Ferrago
While DiRT certainly does offer the best traditional rally experience around at the moment, by including the chance to race directly against other vehicles in the CORR events it almost accidentally reminds you that racing that way is actually more fun. If you're a serious rally fan then this is easily the best game of its type, however, anyone just in the market for a decent racing game may want to stop and decide if this is really going to be their cup of tea before they part with their money.
Read Full Review
80
AceGamez
It's wonderfully well presented and designed throughout, from the slick menus to the jaw-dropping spectacle of the visuals. The lonely feeling of playing on Xbox Live is a blow however, something that ghost competitors could easily have rectified.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
Along with the huge single-player campaign and the various online modes mixed with the sheer variety of the racing on hand makes for one awesome racing game. And when you mix all that with the now-standard Colin McRae level of excellence, you have a game racing fans shouldn’t pass up.
Read Full Review
80
Worth Playing
A worthy follow-up to the last Colin MacRae game, but while it's competent and looks fantastic, it leaves a little something to be desired in a few key areas.
Read Full Review
80
Game Informer
Another example where the game gets caught in the middle is with online. True to rally racing, you don’t race against others, only their times. I can’t imagine most online players want to play this way.
Read Full Review
80
1UP
Slightly flawed in some spots -- its Career mode, for example, is a pyramid of increasingly challenging events rather than a glimpse into a racer's life -- DiRT is nevertheless a big, beautiful game that goes places previous McRaes have not. It's quite simply one of the finest driving-centric titles to hit the still-new 360 world.
Read Full Review
80
GameDaily
The stylish menus and helpful narration give way to eye melting graphics featuring realistic tracks and cars with sick damage modeling.
Read Full Review
80
VideoGamer
The core racing is thrilling yet accessible and the amount of content on offer will keep players enthralled for some time. Some inexplicable frame rate problems and a lacklustre online multiplayer mode prevent this from being a classic.
Read Full Review
80
Edge Magazine
As a game of corners, conditions and the times in which you master them, DIRT is an outstanding engine of online competition, powered by an outstanding engine of sight, sound and physics. [July 2007, p.88]
80
Total Video Games
A whole new Career structure, expanded vehicles, and the lack of stronghold rallying locations like Sweden and Finland, have all worked together to push the franchise in a new (and yet, not a wholly welcomed) direction.
Read Full Review
80
Official Xbox Magazine UK
You play "Forza" for the modding, community stuff and realism; you can play Colin because it's a bloody good, old-fashioned arcade rally game. [July 2007, p.96]
80
EuroGamer
A wonderful package and a triumphant return to form for Codies, DiRT sets a mean precedent for future rally games to match and really manages to capture the excitement, the fear and the challenge of off-road racing. It's, like, totally sick, dude. Killer.
Read Full Review
75
Pelit (Finland)
The super powerful brakes and dumbed-down controls do a lot of damage to an otherwise decent off-road fest. Rallisport Challenge 2 did the same things much better. [Aug 2007]
70
games(TM)
Gamers can see through inconsequential improvements in wind physics and engine noise-capturing techniques that in real terms bring little new to the table. [July 2007, p.124]
70
Boomtown
What we've been given is a game that looks like rallying, but the cars have so much grip, so much power in the brakes, that in the rally sections there's no feeling of driving off road at all.
Read Full Review
70
X360 Magazine UK
Not quite enough variety twinned with not quite enough freedom leaves DIRT as merely a snack between Gothams and Forzas. But then we all eat badly, once in a while. [Issue 21, p.82]
70
NTSC-uk
It retains the feel of McRae, but not the subtlety or precision. The car doesn’t feel different enough across the various surfaces, while the ability to stop almost instantly in the majority of cars on any track is a sign that they are not interacting with the ground as they should. They feel loose, almost distant.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 56 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Larry S. gave it a4:
Average game all round. Colin was a British driver not some American and the camera angles a just Horrible! other wise "Non-Rally" truck type racing is fun.

Wayne H. gave it an8:
After reading the comments on this page so far its obvious that the hard core McRae fans are dissapointed byt the lack of pure realism in the game. I have many rally games including the Mcrae franchise and world rally etc and as far as looks go this one beats them all hands down. The handing of the cars can be made to feel more like a rally game if you change it correctly in the set up but I understand where people are comming from when they say its not a rally game. It is however a fun fun game, i love the big Chevy 4x4 races. Its Just fun, I know that the physics isnt spot on but i still have a smile on my face. If you just want a pure rally feel prob best to get the new sega rally game but if you want a great racer thats fun by Dirt! Biggest down fall is the lack of 2 player. Rest in Peace Col, you're a legend.

Ryan H. gave it a10:
This game is pure awesome, and as close to real as a racing game can get while staying fun for the average gamer. I'm not a Forza or Grand Turismo fan, the burnout and NFS series' have always held my heart, but this semi-sim has just the right amount of challenge and reward to keep me coming back to it. The lack of anything but improvised hot seat multiplayer at home is sad, but the single player is incredible enough to play and watch that you and your friends won't mind taking turns. Dirt for the win!

V-digit gave it a9:
Great game - great graphics - way too much fun. perfect controls once u get the hang of it.

Daz gave it a7:
I enjoyed thiis game very much, great graphics beatuiful layout ,till i got to Tier 5, it suddenly demands you do 3 rallys for one podium and a meagre reward, i can t do 2 races in a row ( full rally races) then get time to do barely any repairs, its gets impossible as your on the last race is close to a scrapheap even on amateur, i'm not the only the only one. Oh and truck and buggy races are awful, worst steering ever in buggy races.

Blue Falcon gave it an8:
This is a truly outstanding game. It plays a LOT like Rallisport Challenge 2. I just wish there was offline multiplayer, and better online multiplayer. With those additions, I'd likely give it a 10/10.

Miguel G. gave it a9:
Humm... dudes, this is a Rally game, at a Rally competition you don't drive side by sude with the oponents, Hello ???! DiRT does, indeed, everything right, on top of that is beautifull.

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

Popular on CBS sites: iPhone 3G | Fantasy Football | Moneywatch | Antivirus Software | Recipes | E3 2009

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use