Feb 19 2009, 01:40 PM, updated 17y ago
The physics aren't the only part of Dirt 2 to get an overhaul. The third-generation Ego engine that's working under the hood has an all new lighting/rendering system that's designed to give unprecedented layers of depth to terrain and environments. The build I saw was based on pre-alpha code, and there's plenty Codemasters isn't showing off yet, but the environments already look stellar, despite missing textures, lighting, and so-called "crowd furniture." I caught a glimpse of what the developers are planning to do with particle and water effects, too, and rally fans won't be disappointed. In the races I watched, cars got progressively grimier until they looked like they'd been airbrushed with brown paint. One flick of the windshield wipers though, and you're right as rain.
Water, always a rally-racer's enemy, has also been given close attention in Dirt 2. It may look pretty, but you don't want to plow into it unless you plan on slowing down by about 30 percent. But if you happen to land in the drink instead of hitting your apex, no worries. There's always the replay.
In addition to China, Dirt 2 also takes you to California, Utah, England, Croatia, Malaysia, and other well-known rally locales. So what cars will you be using to tear up nature's pristine virtual environments? Codemasters isn't saying just yet, due to ongoing licensing discussions. But you can bet your rear differential that Subaru will be involved.
I have yet to get my hands on Dirt 2 in earnest, and there's a lot Codemasters has yet to reveal about its upcoming rally racer. But from what I've seen so far, the team is set to deliver a razor-sharp off-road racing experience in September. The environmental sound is beefed up, the cars sound throatier and the damage and destructible environments are already impressing. We'll have much more on Dirt 2 as the game progresses, so check back soon for more mud, sweat and gears.
SOURCE
This post has been edited by mr_hahn_nemo: Feb 19 2009, 01:41 PM
Quote
0.0191sec
0.64
6 queries
GZIP Disabled