DIRT 5
Cover art of the game featuring an Aston Martin Vantage GT4
Developer(s)Codemasters Cheshire
Publisher(s)Codemasters
Director(s)Robert Karp
Producer(s)
  • Stuart Boyd
  • Gaz Wainwright
Designer(s)Michael Moreton
Programmer(s)David Springate
Artist(s)Amrish Wadekar
Writer(s)
  • Luca Uccellatori
  • Olly Johnson
SeriesDirt
Platform(s)
ReleasePS4, Windows, Xbox One
  • WW: 6 November 2020
Xbox Series X/S
  • WW: 10 November 2020
PlayStation 5
  • NA/AU: 12 November 2020
  • WW: 19 November 2020
Stadia
  • WW: 24 March 2021
Amazon Luna
  • US: 15 July 2021
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Dirt 5 is a simcade racing video game developed and published by Codemasters. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on 6 November 2020, for Xbox Series X/S on 10 November, and for PlayStation 5 on 12 November (for North America, Oceania, Japan, and South Korea) and 19 November (for most other regions), for Stadia on 24 March 2021, and for Luna on 15 July 2021. It was the last video game released by Codemasters as a publisher before acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) on 18 February 2021.

Gameplay

Dirt 5 is a racing game focused on off-road racing. Disciplines within the game include rallycross, ice racing, Stadium Super Trucks and off-road buggies. Players can compete in events in a wide range of locations, namely Arizona, Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Nepal, New York City, Norway and South Africa.[1] The game includes a dynamic weather system and seasons, which affect the racing; for example, the player can only compete in ice racing events in New York during winter months. A four-player splitscreen system is also introduced into the game.[2]

Dirt 5 also features a narrative-focused career mode that pits the player character against a rival driver called Bruno Durand (voiced by Nolan North) in a series of championships. The player also has a mentor called Alex “AJ” Janiček (voiced by Troy Baker) who provides them with advice throughout their career.[1] The game was also not to feature a cinematic replay. Instead, the game would follow in a series of podcasts by Donut Media that follows the storyline.

The game caters to both casual gamers and seasoned sim racers, offering a plug-and-play experience for casual gamers while providing a leaderboard-chasing challenge for serious sim racers. The vehicles and various race categories in Dirt 5 feel somewhat homogenized, lacking individuality and distinct characteristics. This absence of differentiation between events and cars creates a sense of monotony.

While the game doesn’t have glaring issues, it falls short of breaking new ground or delivering a truly exceptional experience. It's praised for its visual and sensory appeal but criticized for its lack of innovation and distinctiveness compared to its predecessors. Some reviewers found it difficult to truly embrace or enjoy the game.

Development and release

Dirt 5 was announced during the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase presentation.[3] In addition to releasing on the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One platforms, it was available for the ninth generation of video game consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.[4] Xbox versions of the game support Microsoft's "Smart Delivery" program, which allows the player to purchase the Xbox One copy of the game and receive the Xbox Series X version.[5] PlayStation 4 owners can also update to the PlayStation 5 version at no additional cost.[6] The game was developed by Codemasters Cheshire, formerly known as Codemasters Evo, developers of Onrush. It is also powered by the evolved game engine of Onrush.[7] Many of its staff worked on Driveclub and MotorStorm.[8][9][10][11][12]

Reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2020)

It was nominated for the category of Best Sports/Racing game at The Game Awards 2020,[27] as well as "Racing Game of the Year" at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[28]

Praising the 120 Hz refresh rate, PlayStation Official Magazine – UK listed it as the 5th best game on the PS5.[29]

References

  1. ^ a b Groves, Chris (7 May 2020). "Revealing DIRT 5 – First Next-Gen Codemasters Game, Launching from October 2020". Codemasters. Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ^ Holt, Kris (7 May 2020). "'Dirt 5' will arrive in October". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. ^ Barbosa, Alessandro; Watts, Steve (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5 Announced For Xbox Series X, PS5, And More". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. ^ Phillips, Tom (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5 announced, coming to Xbox Series X". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  5. ^ Wood, Austin (7 May 2020). "Every Xbox Series X game at the May 7 Inside Xbox event". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  6. ^ Tailby, Stephen (8 July 2020). "New DIRT 5 Trailer Leaks Free PS5 Upgrade Option, Returning Modes". Push Square. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. ^ Morgan, Thomas (12 October 2020). "Dirt 5 on Xbox Series X - what's the difference between 60fps and 120fps racing?". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. ^ L., Stefan (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5's developer is Codemasters Cheshire, the reborn studio behind OnRush, DriveClub and MotorStorm". The Sixth Axis. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  9. ^ Phillips, Tom (11 August 2020). "Dirt 5 current-gen release delayed slightly". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  10. ^ Phillips, Tom (7 September 2020). "Dirt 5 delayed until November to launch around next-gen consoles". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  11. ^ Stocksdale, Joel (7 May 2020). "'Dirt 5' announced, promising even more variety than before". Autoblog. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  12. ^ New on Luna+: DIRT 5, retrieved 18 December 2022
  13. ^ "DIRT 5 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  14. ^ "DIRT 5 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  15. ^ "DIRT 5 for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  16. ^ "DIRT 5 for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. ^ "DIRT 5 for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  18. ^ "Review: Dirt 5". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Dirt 5 Review – An Approachable And Exciting Off-Road Racer". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Dirt 5 Review – Arcade Simplicity". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Dirt 5 Review". IGN. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  22. ^ "DIRT 5 REVIEW". PC Gamer. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  23. ^ Tailby, Stephen (29 December 2021). "DIRT 5 Review (PS5)". Push Square. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  24. ^ Erskine, Donovan (26 November 2020). "Dirt 5 review: Out of the mud". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  25. ^ Wells, Cory (20 November 2020). "Review: DIRT 5 (PS5)". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  26. ^ Johnson, Adam (2 November 2020). "Dirt 5 review – muddy good fun". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  27. ^ Tassi, Paul (11 December 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  28. ^ "2021 Awards Category Details Racing Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  29. ^ Official UK PlayStation Magazine, PS5 Hall of Fame. February 2021, page 98

External links

Colin McRae Rally and Dirt series
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