By Dallas Tognotti on August 1st, 2003

Game Information
Genre: Racing
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
# of Players: 1-4
ERSB: N/A
Scheduled Release: November, 2003
Also Coming For: PS2
Official Website: www.codemasters.com

“The rally game re-invented by the people who invented the rally game.” So says Codemaster’s catchy tag for the companies forthcoming Colin McRae Rally 4. The McRae series has always been a fan favorite, and prides itself on the more realistic side of the sport while still being accessible to new players. The latest in the series is set to come out with a bang, featuring all sorts of improvements over last years game including beefed up graphics, physics, sounds, more game modes, more realistic handling and even Xbox Live support.

CMR4 features 48 rally stages and 4 shakedown stages (for the all important test runs) that span over 8 countries. From the spectacular jumps in Finland to the snow covered runs in Sweden, CMR4 is ready to deliver any possible environment you wish to tear through in your 300hp, all wheel drive, racing/suicide machine. Almost as a direct response to the last incarnation of the series, CMR4 will now allow you to compete with any one of the over 20 cars in all 8 offered gameplay modes (yes, even in championship mode!) including the entirely new 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive specific championships as well as a “Group B” (a class of super cars from the 80’s, which were later banned after several fatal accidents) championship mode. Players will even be able to create and save their own customized rally events in which you can pick and choose your favorite stages to compete in.

The game appears to have seen a bit of a facelift in the graphics department as well. The backgrounds already exhibit much more detail than previous iterations, and many stages are even more abundant in trackside fauna. Also being tweaked by the developers at Codemasters is the game’s physics. The new physics engine, said to be much improved over CMR3, takes into account many more parameters from the real life cars to more accurately recreate the true rally experience. Cars will feel heavier and behave more naturally, due in part to Codemaster’s re-thinking of the games control mechanics (in response to other criticisms aimed at CMR3’s “pivot-turn” system). Car handling will further be enhanced by an additional 14 unique surfaces in which to race on (bringing the total up to 34 for the series).

In between stages, players may now get the opportunity to test parts from a variety of vendors. These tests will feature an assortment of car upgrades such as new tires, suspension set ups, and even engines. Each specific test will focus on the upgrade at hand, and a successful completion will reward your team with the new technology. These parts may give your team the edge it needs to capture the top spot in the event at hand.

On the multiplayer front, CMR4 on Xbox will allow for 4-player split screen (or “hot seat”, in which players alternate turns) in all modes, either in direct competition against one another or even cooperatively on the same team. Exclusive to the Xbox version of the game will be a Live rankings board for top stage times. The Rankings will be broken down into two groups: the top times of the month, and the top times ever.

Colin McRae Rally 4 is set to hit the states this November. For more information, screens and videos, visit www.codemasters.com .