Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2)

...Theft Auto (Vice City) and Colin McRae Rally 3, as well as a 8Mb memory card and a second analogue controller. (But that’s another review)

~ ~ A glance through my opinion list here at Ciao will reveal that I haven’t exactly been prolific when it comes to writing game reviews in the past, but this is now likely to change in 2003.
My gaming experience up to now has mostly consisted of messing about from time to time ...
...acquisition of the Playstation, and Colin McRae 3 has to be one of the most exciting games currently on the market.
Anyways, on with the opinion.

~ ~ Colin McRae Rally 3 builds on the considerable kudos that developers ‘Codemasters’ have already collected for the first two games in the Colin McRae series, the original game and Colin McRae Rally 2.
Both were considered excellent, (according to all the reviews ... more

~ ~ What’s this?? A game review from the ‘mad cabbie’?!
Well, the hot news is that I got a lovely new Playstation 2 for Christmas. Oh, sorry, I tell you a lie! My wee lass got a lovely new Playstation 2 for Christmas. (heh, heh. Sneaky, or what)
Along with the Playstation 2 itself, I got two brand new games thrown in. Grand Theft Auto (Vice City) and Colin McRae Rally 3, as well as a 8Mb memory card and a second analogue controller. (But that’s another review)

~ ~ A glance through my opinion list here at Ciao will reveal that I haven’t exactly been prolific when it comes to writing game reviews in the past, but this is now likely to change in 2003.
My gaming experience up to now has mostly consisted of messing about from time to time with the ‘Age of Empires’ games from Microsoft on my PC. But my PC hasn’t got the top of the range graphics and sound cards required to make gaming a memorable experience.
This situation has now changed with the acquisition of the Playstation, and Colin McRae 3 has to be one of the most exciting games currently on the market.
Anyways, on with the opinion.

~ ~ Colin McRae Rally 3 builds on the considerable kudos that developers ‘Codemasters’ have already collected for the first two games in the Colin McRae series, the original game and Colin McRae Rally 2.
Both were considered excellent, (according to all the reviews I’ve read) but both pale in comparison to the new Colin McRae Rally 3.
Most car racing fans will have heard of Colin McRae, who has been dubbed the ‘Flying Scotsman’ for his now almost legendary feats in the rallying world.
What this game does is quite literally let you step into his shoes, or more accurately into his Ford Focus RS WRC rally car, and to compete in the World Rally Championship.

~ ~ Setting the game up on the Playstation is simplicity itself. You simply insert the DVD, and within seconds you’re ready to rock.
The game menu is uncluttered and uncomplicated, so even complete novices to the gaming scene (like myself) should have no difficulty or experience any frustration. Just plug it in, and start revving up that engine!
There are two different modes that you can choose from. ‘Stages’ or ‘Championship’. Unless you’re already experienced at this sort of game, you’re best bet is to start of in Stages mode, as this allows you to practice and get used to all the different tracks and to get the hang of controlling the car with the analogue controller. My first few attempts were somewhat pitiful, (to say the least) and I spent most of my time crashing into rocks and crash barriers, extricating myself from rivers and woods, and annihilating dozens of poor innocent spectators. (I wonder how much rally car insurance costs!!)

~ ~ In the Stages mode, you can choose from any one of six stages from six different countries, and as well as Colin McRae’s famous Ford Focus, you can elect to drive any one of seven other rally cars. These include a highly impressive Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, a flying Fiat Punto, (I didn’t know they COULD fly, heh, heh) and a MG ZR Rally Car.
You can play in single or multiplayer mode, and race against the clock, either trying to beat your own best time for the stage, or competing against another player. Initially, my wee lass (11-year-old) was beating me hands down, and I was choking in the dust from her rear wheels. (Very embarrassing for a professional driver like myself!) But I quickly got the hang of things, and now we compete on more level terms. (I sometimes even win!)

~ ~ When you feel competent enough, you can then move on to the ‘Championship’ mode, where you race as Colin McRae himself in the World Rally Championship, moving progressively through all the six stages in each separate country, and hopefully collecting points along the way to improve your position in the driver’s ratings. 20 points if you win a stage, 14 points for second, and so on, down to a measly one point for tenth place.
Each different country that you race in sets its own particular challenges, from the wet and slippery fields and hedgerows of the UK, the sandy deserts of Australia, the icy roads of Sweden, to the dangerous mountainous curves and bends of Spain.

~ ~ What makes the game such a pleasure to play (and SO addictive) are the totally amazing graphics and sound, and the absolutely authentic gameplay.
You can actually believe that you are sitting behind the wheel of Colin’s Ford Focus, as you scream through the very detailed landscapes. It’s all there; the sound of the growling, spitting engine, the judders and shocks as you hit an obstacle like a tree or rock, (and you actually FEEL the shock through your controller) and the exhilaration that you experience as you drive a highly tuned performance car to its absolute limit.
The tyres screech and squeal as you throw the car into the curves, and the damage you incur when you hit an obstacle is “real” and immediate, and will affect the car’s performance straight away. Bonnets fly off, tyres are damaged and punctured, glass breaks, doors fly open, suspensions are wrecked, and your steering begins to pull you left and right. (I had to finish one stage with only three wheels!)
You can alter the view from the car, choosing from three different viewpoints. A bonnet camera, an in-car camera, or 3rd person. I personally prefer the ‘3rd person’ view, where you can see the whole car, but this is purely a matter of personal choice.
Weather conditions also play an important role in this game. When it’s dry and dusty (as in Australia) then you kick up enormous amounts of dust and grit from your wheels. When it’s icy and snowing (as in Sweden) then you slip and slide all over the place. And when it’s wet and pouring rain, then your vision through the windscreen is obscured and streaky, just as in real life.

~ ~ What will make the game even more interesting for true motor racing aficionados is the ability to actually change the ‘set up’ of your car between stages. To begin with, this facility is locked, but as you begin to improve and rack up Championship points, you gradually get to tinker with all the different settings.
So you can change the way your brakes perform, or the way your suspension copes with the different terrain and road conditions. You can tweak your steering, or change your gearbox ratios, and the game even allows you the choice of running a few ‘practice’ stages to test out your new settings, and a diagnostic chart at the end to see how the car’s performance stands up.
At the end of each day of the Championship, (three stages) your car is taken into the service pit for a complete overhaul. Up until then, the mechanics will decide at the end of each individual stage what damage is most critical, and repair it for you. But their time is limited, and so you might find yourself carrying damage from the last stage into the next one. It makes life very interesting when, for example, your suspension is totally shot, and you are jumping and bouncing all over the track!

~ ~ You also get a constant commentary from Nicky Grist, Colin McRae’s real life navigator, who will read from his comprehensive notes on each individual stage, telling you in advance what hazards, twists and turns to expect.
To begin with, I tended to ignore his advice, as I was so totally engrossed with simply keeping the car on the road. But as you become more used to the game, you realise that his advice is totally invaluable, and you begin to tailor your driving style according to what information he is giving you. So if he tells you to slow down to 50mph for a fierce curve, you would be well advised to heed his warning, otherwise you will most likely end up crashing in spectacular fashion.
At the end of each stage, you’re updated on how you faired out in that particular race, and what your overall position is in the Championship.

~ ~ I had a good look around on the Web to see if I could discover any ‘cheats’ for this game, but didn’t manage to discover any. No doubt they already exist though, and as more people acquire the game, no doubt they will be posted.
Anyways, I’m enjoying the game itself so much at the moment, that finding cheats would most likely spoil the experience for me.
There’s a help line telephone number for both the UK and Ireland included with the game manual, which costs €1.27 a minute here in the Republic. This will give you the codes for what they call “secrets”, (which I presume are cheats) which gives you bonus vehicles like a jet fighter, hovercraft, and a baja buggy. (what’s that??) You can also get the codes to allow you immediate access to all the different stages, countries, and upgraded cars, without having to go through the gruelling process of actually earning that privilege. (Don’t think I’ll bother, at least for now)

~ ~ This game is currently retailing here in Ireland for €60, but is on sale in Xtravision (video chain store) at only €50 in their current after Christmas sale.
The best price I could find on the Web (Sterling) was £34.99.
But I personally think that it’s great value at that price, as I’m sure I’m going to get years of pleasure from playing Colin McRae 3. Not to mention the pleasure my wee lass will get. (She’s sitting playing it right at this moment)
Highly, highly recommended by the mad cabbie. (who is now a Playstation 2 addict, as well as being addicted to Ciao!!)

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Copyright KenJ December 2002

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FOOTNOTE

I realise that I have posted this opinion under the “Colin McRae 2” Category.
This is because Ciao are currently on a holiday break. I have requested the new Category, and have asked Ciao to move my opinion once it is created.
I was SO enthusiastic about this game, I simply couldn’t wait any longer to write an opinion on it.

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