9th Day of the Twelve Best Games of 2011: Dirt 3

         In a year that featured the incredible impact of a game like Forza 4 Motorsports.  It’s often hard to remember that there was another incredible racing title out this year.  That would be Codemasters Dirt 3.  This title has just about everything that Forza has and a little more.  What I mean by this, is that this game has a nice selection of cars, excellent terrain deformation, excellent cockpit view, excellent weather effects, and even night racing. Yes, folks this game has a ton of in race features that you just can’t find anywhere else.

      While Dirt 3 can’t boast having hundreds of cars or customization of those cars with an in game editor.  Dirt 3 puts gameplay over the customization/variety route and it does this in signature style.  Since the original Dirt there has never been a franchise quite so recognizable.  There is nothing to compare the incredible menu interface or terrain deformation that the Dirt Franchise has all ways adhered to.  If only the other major racing franchises on both consoles could take more of a que from Dirt 3.  No matter how many cars your game has, if there isn’t the same kind of versatility that the Dirt Franchise provides; its hard to imagine your franchise evolving much.  Which really has been the problem with the other major franchises.  They may be great games but they are basically the same game we were playing back in 2007.

      Dirt 3 added Gymkhana this which did mix it up a little.  But it’s good to see that the much loved mode is getting it’s own game with Dirt Showdown.  That way, when Dirt 4 comes out they can go back to stressing the core of Rally racing rather than worrying about mixing up. While I liked Gymkhana for a few events as a distraction it was a little too jarring of a change from the core game. There is a certain theory about playing Gymkhana makes you a better driver but considering the surface effects don’t usually play a role in Gymkhana this can only go so far.

     While Forza and Gran Turismo get all the publicity it is Dirt and Codemasters who are truly worth the crown of racing innovators for 2011.  Hopefully the racing genre will be judged by developers on what CAN be done, not just what is EASY to do.