Colin McRae Rally (video game)

Colin McRae Rally

Front cover of the PlayStation PAL version depicting the Subaru Impreza WRC
Developer(s) Codemasters
Publisher(s) Codemasters (Win)[1]
Codemasters/SCEA/Spike (PS)[2]
THQ (GBC)[3]
Series Colin McRae Rally
Platform(s) PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Windows
Release date(s) Windows
  • NA 29 February 2000[4]
  • EU 1 January 1998
PlayStation
  • JP 11 March 1999
  • NA 31 January 2000[2]
  • EU 1 July 1998
Game Boy Color
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Distribution CD-ROM

Colin McRae Rally is the first game in the Colin McRae Rally series, released in January 1998 by Codemasters in Europe, and in February 2000 in North America on the PC and PlayStation,[4] and in September 2001 on the Game Boy Color. It features 8 official cars (and their drivers) and rallies from the 1998 World Rally Championship season, in addition to 4 extra cars.[6]

Gameplay

A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV Group A rally car, at the Rally New Zealand stage 1.

Colin McRae Rally is a rally simulation game, featuring the works-entered cars and the rallies of the 1998 WRC season. There are three difficulty modes in the game, and each mode offers different cars: the Novice mode offers FWD F2-class cars, such as the SEAT Ibiza F2 Kit Car, the Intermediate mode offers 4WD World Rally Car class cars, such as the Subaru Impreza WRC, and the Expert mode offers the ability to unlock bonus cars, such as Ford Escort MKII, Lancia Delta Integrale, Audi Quattro S1, and Ford RS200. There are a total of 12 cars, produced using laser-modelling.[6]

Seven official rallies (New Zealand, Acropolis (Greece), Australia, Monte Carlo Sweden, Corsica, and the United Kingdom), and one unofficial rally (Indonesia) from the WRC were included in the game.[6] Rally Indonesia was originally part of the 1998 WRC season calendar, but the rally was cancelled due to civil unrest.[7] Although the rallies themselves are named the same as the real events, all of the stages are fictional.[8]

Although there is no internet-based multiplayer, the game does feature LAN-based multiplayer, allowing up to 8 drivers, on the same network, to compete at once, in addition to a 2-player split-screen mode.[6] Sales soared, and the sequel Colin McRae Rally 2.0 was released on 14 December 2000

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings76.93% (PC)[9]
82.16% (PS)[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge9/10 (PC/PS)[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly7.75/10 (PS)[10]
Game RevolutionB (PS)[12]
GameSpot6.6/10 (PC)[1]
5.6/10 (PS)[13]
IGN6.7/10 (PC)[14]
9/10 (PS)[15]
Official PlayStation Magazine (UK)9/10[16]
PC Gamer (UK)92/100 (PC)[9]
PC Zone93/100 (PC)[9]
GameVortex.com7/10 (PC)[9]
95% (PS)[17]

Colin McRae Rally was released to mostly positive reviews, averaging 76.93% for the PC version,[9] and 82.16% for the PlayStation version, according to GameRankings.[10] Edge gave it 9/10, praising its authentic simulation, but commenting that graphical glitches sometimes occurred.[11] Game Revolution gave the PS version of the game a B rating, criticizing its graphics, lack of music and co-driver voicing, but praising its track variation and gameplay.[12] GameSpot were far less positive, giving the PC version 6.6/10, praising the driving experience, but criticizing the car setup procedure, the length of the stages, and the damage model.[1] They were even less positive about the PlayStation port, rating it 5.6/10, criticizing its lack of originality.[13] IGN were split, giving the PlayStation version 9/10, praising its skill-based nature and its strong simulation,[15] but scored the PC version 6.7/10, criticizing it for being less exciting than traditional games.[14] The Official PlayStation Magazine praised the graphics and variety, and said that it "pushed the boundaries of the off-road racer to somewhere near the heights of Gran Turismo". The game was a bestseller in the UK.[18]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Poole, Stephen (22 March 2000). "Colin McRae Rally Review". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Colin McRae Rally - PlayStation". VGChartz. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally - Game Boy Color". Spong. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Colin McRae Rally - PC". VGChartz. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally - Game Boy". VGChartz. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mandel, Bob (31 May 2000). "Colin McRae Rally PC review". The Adrenaline Vault. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "Rallies - Indonesia". juwra.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Making Of Colin McRae Rally". Retro Gamer Magazine. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Colin McRae Rally for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Colin McRae Rally for PlayStation". GameRankings. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Colin Mcrae Rally Review". Edge Online. 17 July 1998. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Colin McRae Rally Review". Game Revolution. 1 March 2000. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Taruc, Nelson (18 February 2000). "Colin McRae Rally Review". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Colin McRae Rally". IGN. 5 May 2000. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Perry, Doug (22 February 2000). "Colin McRae Rally". IGN. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Colin McRae Rally review, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, Future Publishing, August 1998, issue 35, page 96
  17. ↑ Paddock, Matt. "Colin McRae Rally". GameVortex.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  18. ↑ Gallup UK PlayStation sales chart, October 1998, published in Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 37