Not bad, but it just feels like it lacks some spice to it. Doesn`t keep me going back for more.
The whole interface of the game is pleasant and stylish, but it can take some time to start a race, because you need to repair your car, set up for the race: tyres, gear ratio, anti-roll bar etc. I know all rally games do this, but it takes time away from the action. The career mode can be a bit confusing, once you finish a cup or challenge, you don`t really know what to do next, you need to play with the interface to select a next cup or challenge to take part it. Again, takes time. Compared to games like Need for Speed, this game feels a bit slow and you`ll be spending too much time not actually driving.
The actual gameplay is not bad, it`s kind of fun, but the experience just feels a bit plain. I guess that`s rally, you race against the clock, no action with other cars. Maybe if the times were harder to beat and the game was more challenging, then it would be more immersive. As it is, it just feels too easy, especially if you`ve tried games like RBR or even the TOCA series.
Graphics are so-so: the cars` colours are bright, they look fantastic on the replays. But the environment is very very washed out and dead. I guess this is one of the reasons why the system requirements are not massive. The game certainly runs buttery smooth on any decent pc. It really is extremely smooth. No hiccups at all, no stutters, no skipped frames, nothing of that sort. It feels like you`re playing an arcade racer on the XBOX or Playstation, it is so smooth. I guess it may also be due to the fact that there`s very little or none at all interactivity with the environment. Basically, the game looks very arcadey, but at least it`s very very smooth.
All in all, I`ll recommend this game for a bit of console-style-and-feel driving, but I`m just not sure it`s challenging and colourful enough to make you keep coming back for more.