Colin McRae: DiRT 2

Pros

• Realistic graphics and sound make you feel like you're part of a real race
• Comes with five game modes that you can play against the computer or other players
• Special modes let you enjoy mini games off the tracks

Cons

• The game loads very slowly
• Each level features a cut scene that you can't skip
• Won't work on older computers and computers with less memory

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 is a racing game released as a sequel to the original dirt. Better known as Dirt 2, it received high ratings across all platforms and received its highest scores for the PC platform. Rally racing is completely unlike traditional racing. Instead of driving race cars around a track with just a handful of curves, you get behind the wheel of a souped up rally car. You tackle dirt courses that feature dozens of hazards, obstacles and turns that make you work hard to stay ahead of the pack.

The first game in the series stuck to the traditional forms of off-road racing. Unfortunately, fans of the game found that, while it was realistic, it didn't bring anything new to the rally road racing genre. This game takes a page from "The Fast and The Furious" franchise and focuses more on the fantastical elements of racing. You'll see dirt flying up off your tires and onto your windshield. There will be spectacular crashes that leave you gasping in surprise and competitors who aren't afraid to run you off the track to win the race.

When the game opens, you see a large 3-D trailer that is your home when not racing. You then get the chance to select a car to race and the first track you want to hit. The game features multiple tracks and racing locations, including Morocco and Baja, which is one of the most popular off-road courses in the world. Once you start racing, you'll find that the graphics and sound are so realistic that you might feel like you're in a race. It offers five different game modes and three special modes that will let you play for hours.

Special modes include Gatecrasher, which sends you out onto a track with bright yellow gates placed around. You need to crash through as many gates as possible to score a high number of points before time runs out. Domination gives you the opportunity to play against other players or the computer and finish a race in the fastest time possible. Players also love the Last Man Standing special mode. The game eliminates the player in last place every 20 seconds, and you need to stay ahead of other cars to stay in the race.

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 is the ultimate rally road racing game. With five game modes and three special modes, you'll gets years of play out of this game. Though it does tend to run slowly on older computers and machines with less memory available, this fun game will keep you entertained.

Pros

• Realistic graphics and sound make you feel like you're part of a real race
• Comes with five game modes that you can play against the computer or other players
• Special modes let you enjoy mini games off the tracks

Cons

• The game loads very slowly
• Each level features a cut scene that you can't skip
• Won't work on older computers and computers with less memory