Wow, I guess people were right in calling this a game without effort, comparing the scores the HD counterparts got.
http://wii.ign.com/articles/102/1025313p1.html
Dirt 2 Wii Review
Wii's latest racer is a Dirt game in name alone.
For Dirt 2, Codemasters enlisted the help of developer Sumo Digital, known for games like Outrun Arcade on XBLA, New International Track & Field on DS, and SEGA Superstars Tennis. While the developer obviously knows its stuff, Dirt 2 just feels like a rushed, borderline incomplete package, and it unfortunately doesn't resemble any of the magic or intensity that comes with the other versions of the game.
What it does resemble, however, is the Dirt 2 PSP game. Yup, Dirt 2 for Wii is basically a bigger brother to the PSP version with motion control tacked on.
Career mode is entirely linear, often allowing only one (or a couple) cars to choose from based on the race, in-game visuals are pretty ugly – bested by most high end PS2 racers, and even Gran Turismo on PSP – and the game's overall feel is just too unpolished. Tires sound like radio static, rival AI isn't too aggressive, but it works, and the tracks – while varied – aren't too compelling to race on. Even things like a cockpit mode or the ability to have music while driving isn't supported, though I'll had it to the team for locking a decent framerate and an ok sense of speed despite other issues.
The biggest issue though is that Dirt 2 just isn't fun to play. Drifting isn't as fluid as it could be, the heavier cars just feel too slow overall, and there's this lack of intensity when racing that just can't be ignored. You'll still get a nice cross-section of cars from the other versions, and the whole "trailer hub" is there to see, but it's all completely linear. Even the DS's career mode – which had you moving from location to location in an open-ended fashion – has more depth than what is offered on Wii.
The final major issue I've got with the game comes with control. If you use the analog stick setup it's actually not bad at all, and if you get into the groove with it there's some decent track racing to be had, minus its overall repetitive feel. Tilt control just doesn't feel right though, and then team would have done well to include a sensitivity calibration that games like GT Pro Series (a Wii budget launch game) had. Instead, driving with tilt just doesn't feel tight enough, so those hopping into the game hoping for any sort of virtual wheel setup are going to be disappointed.
Closing Comments
For as much potential as the Wii version had, Dirt 2 just ends up being a letdown, especially when the package boils down to being a port/crossover of the PSP offering that Sony fans are getting. The visuals are sub-par, and while the sense of speed is there you won’t find any serious customization, or reason to go back and race any of the tracks in the game’s linear career mode. You go one by one through races, beat them, and move on, and while there were times when the racing felt tight and responsive, those moments were few and far between. Two player splitscreen is included for players that want to go head-to-head with friends, but there’s no sort of online integration, and with a career mode that’s a basic as Dirt 2 you’ll be looking for a new racer within an hour or so of play. There’s serious potential in a racer with this much sense of speed and the power of the Dirt 2 branding (licensed cars, X-Games, famous names in rally racing) but the Wii version unfortunately misses the mark. Hopefully we’ll see another attempt down the line with more attention given to the Wii audience, as this game is Dirt 2 in name alone. If you own a DS, pick it up for Nintendo’s handheld. All other serious racers will want to splurge for the 360/PS3 versions if that’s an option, or wait on our final verdict for Need for Speed Nitro coming in the next couple months.
| Rating | Description |  |
|---|---|---|
| out of 10 | click here for ratings guide |
|
| 4.0 | Presentation A handful of licensed cars make an appearance, but there’s no real event feel. Interface looks rushed, and visuals suffer; expected for a PSP crossover game. |
|
| 3.5 | Graphics The game holds a decent framerate, but it comes at a price. There’s a serious lack of polish, and textures are first pass at best. Prettier racers exist on PS2, and even PSP. |
|
| 3.5 | Sound Another aspect that just felt rushed. Brakes sound oddly like radio static, and while engines have different sounds for each car there’s odd omissions, like a lack of in-race music. |
|
| 5.5 | Gameplay The lighter cars feel fine, but the heavier options are a bit too sluggish. Racer AI is passable, tracks are decent, and stick driving works alright. Tilt control is poor though. |
|
| 3.5 | Lasting Appeal There are just too many issues here to turn a blind eye. Most players will drop off after a few races and never look back. PSP version on Wii? No thanks. |
|
| 4.0 |
OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average) |
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