It's perhaps symbolic that Codemasters has included Colin McRae's old co-driver in for the first time in one of its rally games since Colin McRae Rally 2005, because Dirt 4 very much feels like a return to the good old days of the series.

Besides last year's DiRT Rally, there hasn't been a proper DiRT game in years. It's good to see the "4th" entry finally make an appearance, although can it improve upon the well received DiRT Rally and other racers like Forza and Gran Turismo?

When Codemasters decided to make a fourth DiRT game, it was obvious that it was going to have to be a game that appealed to a wide audience. The stellar DiRT Rally was well received for its authenticity, but the DiRT games before that had middle of the ground vehicle handling that mixed realism and...

Over the years, and I mean a lot of years (back to Test Drive in 1990), I have played dozens of driving games over many types of terrain. My first delving into Codemasters was Grid.

...however, when it arrived (I had ordered a new copy as a gift) it was from a store, obviously a well worn display copy. The case was cracked in multiple places, the cover art torn, the front plastic torn, not sealed (as a new game should be, in either shrink wrap or with the circular seal sticker...

Dirt 4 puts you at the wheel of the most powerful machines ever made as you face the toughest roads and circuits on the planet in rally, rallycross, and landrush with grounded and thrilling racing experience with customisable difficulty options that should appeal to newcomers and veterans alike.

DiRT Rally only released on consoles during April 2016 (December 2015 for PC), but while this was the return to form for the rally racing sim from Codemasters, fans of the more varied spin-off racing series still longed for the follow-up to 2011'S DiRT 3 (not including DiRT Showdown as that wasn't a...

Offering the choice of Sim and Arcade play-styles caters for all; Addictive "one more go" gameplay; Your Stage is potentially game changing; Good variety of modes adds much value; Lush visuals

Lobby hosts being able to change event discipline even towards event end; in otherwise smooth online experience

It's not enough to detract from how accomplished Dirt 4 is where it matters, when you're tearing from point to point and manhandling any one of its fine selection of cars. It is enough, though, to make you miss the focus of its predecessor, and Dirt 4 falls short of the greatness of Dirt Rally.

This harks back to the days when rally simulation was fun. Complete courses , in various disciplines. The handling feels real and responsive, graphics are as real as ever and some nice damage engines doing their work should you fail to concentrate on one of the endless turns and twists that make up...

I bought it because the ads said it was good and it is