The newest installation of Saber Porto's Magnum Opus is out. Dakar Desert Rally lets you take on the Saudi Arabian desert with a magnitude of different vehicles. But how does it fare? Should you buy it? Let's dive into the raid rally racing game.
Over the next few pages, I'll give you my detailed thoughts on the newest rally raid game by the Portuguese game studio.
DISCLAIMER: Because my wheel and pedals weren't recognised by the game at the time of review, I had to play with a gamepad. So please keep that in mind, especially when reading through the controls section.
Over the next few pages, I'll give you my detailed thoughts on the newest rally raid game by the Portuguese game studio.
DISCLAIMER: Because my wheel and pedals weren't recognised by the game at the time of review, I had to play with a gamepad. So please keep that in mind, especially when reading through the controls section.
Controls 3/5
5 Vehicle classes can be driven/ridden in Dakar Desert Rally. All with their unique control sets.
The controls via gamepad here are okay. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Compared to the other classes, cars are definitely the most forgiving vehicles.
So if you are just starting with this kind of experience, getting in a car is not the wrong choice.
So until then, a cheaper KTM 450 Rally was used, but oh boy, that thing is dangerous.
Whereas in Dakar 2018, you would just give full gas the entire time and then turn without a problem on the South American dunes, it seems like Saudi Arabian sand is built differently.
Go quick, try to turn, and accidentally do a 360. That is basically how bike riding goes in here. But as long as you go quick enough in the straights, you are not going to have any problem still beating out the competition.
Bikes are kind of frustrating to ride in Dakar Desert Rally, but if you can handle the odd 360 and spinning out, go for it.
They are basically just cars that go a bit slower and want to fall over at any sharp corner.
The fun comes not only with almost managing to crash at every turning opportunity but also with spectating the AI handle these beasts. That is, if you manage to catch an AI driver, as long as they have a truck left.
In my playing around, I found multiple AI trucks missing doors, body panels and other covers. They are just rolling at every opportunity, and that is sure for a laugh if you manage to catch that on camera.
I mean, it's understandable that if you hit a rock, that is going to impact your driving quite heavily, depending on the size of the rock even throwing you off. But when you hit a minor bump on a dirt road and it sends you to oblivion, that is where I draw the line.
In short, you cannot go full speed the entire time, you need to be careful driving quads. And that is the problem with a racing mentality.
They are fun to drive but don't feel too different from normal cars.
In short, SXS or Cars for beginners. Trucks for people who want a bit of fun. And bikes and especially quads for the masochists.
Cars
The most classic, or some might say boring, class of cars allows the driver to traverse the Saudi Arabian desert in style. Using a selection of different vehicles like the Borgward BX7 DKR EVO, the Rebellion DXX, the Audi RS Q E-TRON or Peugeot 405 T16 'GRAND-RAID', you can challenge the AI or your friends for racing.The controls via gamepad here are okay. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Compared to the other classes, cars are definitely the most forgiving vehicles.
So if you are just starting with this kind of experience, getting in a car is not the wrong choice.
Bikes
As an Austrian bloke, this is what I am here for. Riding around as Mathias Walkner on his KTM 450 Rally. Unfortunately, this had to wait for a second, as you have to earn credits to buy new vehicles. And Walkner's KTM was a bit more expensive.So until then, a cheaper KTM 450 Rally was used, but oh boy, that thing is dangerous.
Whereas in Dakar 2018, you would just give full gas the entire time and then turn without a problem on the South American dunes, it seems like Saudi Arabian sand is built differently.
Go quick, try to turn, and accidentally do a 360. That is basically how bike riding goes in here. But as long as you go quick enough in the straights, you are not going to have any problem still beating out the competition.
Bikes are kind of frustrating to ride in Dakar Desert Rally, but if you can handle the odd 360 and spinning out, go for it.
Trucks
I'll be honest, I didn't think trucks would be as fun as they are. Among the 5 vehicle classes, trucks are my favourite.They are basically just cars that go a bit slower and want to fall over at any sharp corner.
The fun comes not only with almost managing to crash at every turning opportunity but also with spectating the AI handle these beasts. That is, if you manage to catch an AI driver, as long as they have a truck left.
In my playing around, I found multiple AI trucks missing doors, body panels and other covers. They are just rolling at every opportunity, and that is sure for a laugh if you manage to catch that on camera.
Quads
If you thought bikes would be the worst, you haven't seen quads yet. Literally no turning, hitting the smallest bumps sends you flying and crashing happens at every opportunity.I mean, it's understandable that if you hit a rock, that is going to impact your driving quite heavily, depending on the size of the rock even throwing you off. But when you hit a minor bump on a dirt road and it sends you to oblivion, that is where I draw the line.
In short, you cannot go full speed the entire time, you need to be careful driving quads. And that is the problem with a racing mentality.
SXS
The last class is the SXS or UTVs. Those little 2-person buggy kind-of-a-deal vehicles pretend to be cars with a livelier suspension.They are fun to drive but don't feel too different from normal cars.
In short, SXS or Cars for beginners. Trucks for people who want a bit of fun. And bikes and especially quads for the masochists.
Graphics - 3/5
When first starting the game, I was kind of confused. There is an unskippable cutscene that looks straight out of 2005.
Generally, the graphics aren't top of the line, which is a bit surprising considering this game was made in the Unreal Engine. For those of you who don't know, Unreal is known for having radically good graphics. Just look at, for example, Assetto Corsa Competizione to see what can be done with that engine.
And then there's Dakar Desert Rally. I have to honestly say, the world looks great. World design gets an A+ from me. The issues I'm having are with the vehicle's outsides and most of all the people.
The roadside people and some stage objects that are scattered bring down the rest of the graphics to a lower level.
The vehicles look dated, to say the least. The people look not at all realistic. More like cartoon people. And that is a bit immersion-breaking. It all kind of looks similar to Dakar 2018, which in itself didn't have the best graphics, to be frank.
Generally, the graphics aren't top of the line, which is a bit surprising considering this game was made in the Unreal Engine. For those of you who don't know, Unreal is known for having radically good graphics. Just look at, for example, Assetto Corsa Competizione to see what can be done with that engine.
And then there's Dakar Desert Rally. I have to honestly say, the world looks great. World design gets an A+ from me. The issues I'm having are with the vehicle's outsides and most of all the people.
The roadside people and some stage objects that are scattered bring down the rest of the graphics to a lower level.
The vehicles look dated, to say the least. The people look not at all realistic. More like cartoon people. And that is a bit immersion-breaking. It all kind of looks similar to Dakar 2018, which in itself didn't have the best graphics, to be frank.
Sounds - 4/5
On a more positive note, I like the sound design. Even though you are, by default, forced to endure endless epic battle music akin to fantasy RPGs, while driving, it does sort of fit.
What I mean by that is it gives the entire game more of a casual vibe to it. The music allows for you to take the game less seriously as a sim. And, in combination with everything else, this more casual approach just makes sense.
"It just works", someone once said.
And I'm tempted to agree here, in this example.
Past the music, you have car and environment sounds. The vehicles sound okay-ish but are a bit overpowered by the aforementioned music.
The environment sounds great, however. The thunderstorms and rainfalls make you feel like you are actually in the eye of the storm. Great Job Saber Porto!
What I mean by that is it gives the entire game more of a casual vibe to it. The music allows for you to take the game less seriously as a sim. And, in combination with everything else, this more casual approach just makes sense.
"It just works", someone once said.
And I'm tempted to agree here, in this example.
Past the music, you have car and environment sounds. The vehicles sound okay-ish but are a bit overpowered by the aforementioned music.
The environment sounds great, however. The thunderstorms and rainfalls make you feel like you are actually in the eye of the storm. Great Job Saber Porto!
Everything Else and Conclusion - 4/5
The bias is strong in me.
Yes, I was almost ready to throw the towel after the game didn't recognise my wheel and pedals.
Yes, I have no idea how to read pace notes.
Yes, some controls are really flabbergasting.
But also yes, I really enjoy the game.
I don't see Dakar Desert Rally trying to be the most realistic hardcore simulation of a rally raid, I see it as an enjoyable time for people who are more on the casual front. (Perhaps with actually working wheel support it might be good for hardcore simmers too, but that's beside the point)
As a sim racer, I enjoy the challenge Dakar Desert Rally brings to the table. The challenge lies more in actually finding your way around the ginormous map than to control the vehicle and optimise times.
As a gamer, however, I enjoy just driving around and getting a feel for the land. And I will continue to enjoy this title, preferably in co-op mode, as I did enjoy Dakar 2018.
So I am sorry, dear hardcore sim racers, if you are looking for a hardcore simulation of a rally, look elsewhere. If you can enjoy a more casual experience, however, be welcome to join the world of Dakar Desert Rally.
My conclusion of this title is 4/5.
What do you think of Dakar Desert Rally? Let us know in the comments down below!
Yes, I was almost ready to throw the towel after the game didn't recognise my wheel and pedals.
Yes, I have no idea how to read pace notes.
Yes, some controls are really flabbergasting.
But also yes, I really enjoy the game.
I don't see Dakar Desert Rally trying to be the most realistic hardcore simulation of a rally raid, I see it as an enjoyable time for people who are more on the casual front. (Perhaps with actually working wheel support it might be good for hardcore simmers too, but that's beside the point)
As a sim racer, I enjoy the challenge Dakar Desert Rally brings to the table. The challenge lies more in actually finding your way around the ginormous map than to control the vehicle and optimise times.
As a gamer, however, I enjoy just driving around and getting a feel for the land. And I will continue to enjoy this title, preferably in co-op mode, as I did enjoy Dakar 2018.
So I am sorry, dear hardcore sim racers, if you are looking for a hardcore simulation of a rally, look elsewhere. If you can enjoy a more casual experience, however, be welcome to join the world of Dakar Desert Rally.
My conclusion of this title is 4/5.
What do you think of Dakar Desert Rally? Let us know in the comments down below!
