Parents need to know that DiRT Showdown is a racing game that has some vehicular violence and mild lyrics. The core elements of the game include crashing into other vehicles as well as racing on a variety of tracks.

Miss; Annoying narrator/commentator, and the little customisation available is hard to find. Career might be too short for some players. Need; Customisation, especially vinyls and car setups. Customisation, especially vinyls and car setups.

For the money, Dirt: Showdown is an OK game. Sadly there's not much to the game though, with only about 3 locations with about 2 versions of the track. Cars are not recognisable except for a Fiesta and Impreza, and in general it's a game to play when you have just 30 minutes or so spare.

I did wonder why no one on my 57 people long xbox friends list has this game, and then it dawned on me after a couple races. This is rubbish. You don't even get a speedometer, rev counter, or any realistic driving aids, you just get some cheesy announcer who says the exact same things over and over...

Ah, another DiRT game, how I was excited by you. When Dirt: Showdown was released I specifically requested the assignment to review it. I was a massive fan of Dirt 2, completing it fully, and somewhat enjoyed Dirt 3, despite some missteps.

Putting the ‘Car' in ‘Kinda Carnage-ish' In this era of videogames, it seems that the lines between ‘Car love' and ‘Car hate' are blurring title by title. Yes, vehicles are usually encouraged to meet head on in an act of sexually frustrated bonnet to bonnet snogging, but it usually ends up with both...

Simple destructive fun; Comprehensive online modes allow players to flaunt and show off their skills; Lots of events to complete in single player

Career mode is a predictable trundle w

This looks to be a good follow on from Dirt 3. Graphics are the same, sounds are just as good and it's got some nice features within. My problem with it though is that if you use a wireless controller (which a vast majority do) you will encounter a glitch where you cannot change gear!

Codemasters delivers a spin-off of the DiRT franchise, but does it live up to it's namesake?

+ Slick handling; + Presentation is fantastic; + Nice array of modes

Modes wear out quickly; AI can be a bear; Just feels shallow at times

This is not a traditional rally game. It's an important point to remember for fans of Codemaster's epic DiRT series. What it is though, is fun. Car smashing, exhilaratingly arcadey fun.

Handling model is great for the occasion; Cracking fun with friends; 8-Ball events are terrifying; exhilarating and super fun

Some lazy track recycling from old games in an already short game; Tracks in Tour mode repeat and get too lengthy; Horrific new swear words will be invented by getting screwed out of points/places

With the rally events gone the emphases in this latest instalment to the series is aimed more towards collisions and destruction. Tracks tend to be very wide and have plenty of tires and barrels littered around them for you to destroy.