How does Dirt handle on next gen?
Take a trip around the world to and race on over 70+ unique routes across 10 different global locations in stunning environments complete with dynamic weather and time of day. Get behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars. World-renowned voice talents Troy Baker and Nolan North head up the cast of Dirt 5’s story-driven Career mode. Local split-screen of up to four players on offline modes, including Career, makes Dirt 5 the perfect couch multiplayer racing game as you battle for position with your friends. Capture your biggest jumps and best moves with a detailed photo mode and show your creative flair with Dirt’s deepest ever livery editor for all cars.
The Dirt racing games have always been something special, right from the beginning. Dirt 5 is the first in the series to hit next-gen systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, we were lucky enough to take the XSX version out for a spin. But can it hold up on new hardware and can it still compete with other great racers like Forza Horizon 4, which also got a X/S update?
First of all, I cannot deny just how stunning Dirt 5 actually is. Everything from the ray-tracing effects on cars and puddles are just sublime, then there’s the amazing crisp weather effects and fire/fireworks that feel like it’s bursting out of the screen and into your living room. It also runs at an incredibly smooth framerate with very little in terms of loading. This is next-gen racing at its finest and if this is what they can achieve as a launch title, then the skies seem limitless for any instalments going forward.
In terms of handling, Dirt 5 is very easy to get to grips with. It’s always been more of an arcade racer than the likes of Forza, but its still challenging and the different types of terrain add other elements of difficulty to the mix like slippery icy surfaces or mud-covered tracks that are slow to traverse. There’s a decent mixture of different types of races and modes to keep you busy, as well as being able to build your own tracks or test out other peoples online. The level of customisation for your cars are also impressive.
The Verdict
Dirt 5 comes with a great variety of tracks and cars while being one of the best looking launch games for the Xbox Series X. It looks and handles incredibly well, making it a must have for racing fans who managed to nab the Series X.