WRC 3 : Games : Web Wombat

For numerous years Evolution and Codemasters, the respective developers of aforementioned games, have battled long and hard to achieve the supreme rally game, and with Evolution's third instalment, they have achieved a finely balanced rally game.

From the dry lands of Turkey to the snow covered mountains of frosty Sweden, all 14 official WRC locations are available and within these 14 locations, 125 stages are present.

But even just one of these 100+ stages takes a massive adrenaline rushing effort to complete, adding to title's longevity considerably.

There are multiple game modes: Championship mode, time trial mode, quick race, and multiplayer mode - the latter option allowing you can race against other rally fans but, as we've seen many times before, tempers do flare, and this may result in grievous bodily harm.

All seven official FIA rally cars are present, including the Peugeots, Fords, Mitsubishi's, Subaru's, Skodas and Citroëns. As you advance through the championship, there are 35 performance-enhanced vehicles to unlock, and this plentiful supply of turbocharged mudslingers makes for a good level of variety.

"I'll have the turbocharged Focus with the lot,
thanks. Oh, and throw in a bodykit from hell."

On a gameplay note, surfaces vary, and more than modicum of skill is needed to turn perfectly at junctions and hair pins -- though simulation fans should note that WRC 3 errs on the 'fun' side of physics.

Snow, sand, mud, asphalt and dirt are some of the many different surfaces that you must compete on, all ranging in difficulty, and all adding more authenticity to the rallying.

The scenery is beautiful throughout the many countries that you compete in, and they compliment the outstanding polygonal car models.

Rally fans will be suitably impressed as every detail is there from the huge rear spoilers, to intercooler bodywork cutouts and even the aerials, lolling from side to side as you change direction every few seconds, hammering along at break neck speeds.

The graphics are precise, with a good level of improvement from the previous WRC rally games, and they add depth and make the game a lot more fascinatingly to look at.

The area where this game towers above its competitors is the sound. Every sound heard at a rally race is present in this game, and if you've got your PS2 hooked-up to a good stereo or an amp with surround sound, every clunkified gear change is there, the dirt caught under the tyres sounds great and the crashes elicit some fine bending metal/shattering glass samples too.

The tracks or 'stages' are perfect
for handbrake-inspired powerslides

Your co-drivers tactical advice comes across clearly too, and helps makes the task somewhat easier.

Background ambient noises are also effective, the cheering, (or booing) of crowds, the water flowing down a river, and even the wildlife help immerse you into the realm of World Rallying.

WRC 3, while not quite Colin McRae-realistic, is still a very accurate representation of the official FIA tournament.

It contains the legitimate competitors, the real tracks which are modelled to perfection, and it looks more and more like you are watching a rally tournament on the telly.

A word of advice: Take care of your car, because any part of the car has the possibility of falling off once you crash, including bonnets, to bumper bars, and even spoilers.

Although online support would have made WRC 3 a more complete package, along with more detailed car tuning, there isn't much wrong with this game.

Along with all seven World Rally cars updated for the 2003 season, WRC 3 is an approachable and entertaining rally racer with a brilliant graphics and sound (not to mention an extended shelf life), and probably one of best rally games on the PS2.

Game: WRC 3: The Official Game of the FIA World Rally Championship
System: PS2
Players: 1-4
Online: No
Developer: Evolution Studios
Distributor: Sony

Rating: 85%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)

WRC 3 is on the shelves now.

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