KT Racing has been working on the WRC franchise for years. However, since the impending switch of the rights to the WRC name to Electronic Arts and Codemasters is imminent, this is the last Nacon and KT Racing WRC Game. How did they do? Did they manage to create the magnum opus they wanted?
Over the next few pages, let me give you my detailed thoughts on several of the games' quirks. Let's take a deep dive into WRC Generations.
DISCLAIMER: This is the first ever WRC Game I played. So you will be getting a fresh perspective on the whole franchise.
If you wish to leave your own review for this game you can submit it here.
Over the next few pages, let me give you my detailed thoughts on several of the games' quirks. Let's take a deep dive into WRC Generations.
DISCLAIMER: This is the first ever WRC Game I played. So you will be getting a fresh perspective on the whole franchise.
If you wish to leave your own review for this game you can submit it here.
Controls - 4.5/5
I feel like it's a shame I didn't discover this franchise earlier. The controls of these cars are very enjoyable both on gravel and tarmac. Snow is very challenging.
First, the comparisons I'll draw are with DiRT Rally 2.0 and Richard Burns Rally, the biggest competitors in the rally game niche.
Controlling the WRC vehicles on every possible surface is a challenge. But it can be very rewarding if you manage to just hit a single corner the way you want to. WRC Generations manages to succeed very effectively in creating a real feeling of how it could be to drive one of these modern rally cars.
Of course, as someone who hasn't driven a rally vehicle IRL, I cannot say how realistic the feeling is. It is very convincing though.
In the beginning, if you are a newbie to rally simulators, it is a challenge to get used to the controls, however. You need a lot of determination to not give up after overshooting your breaking points 10 times in a row. And that is the only caveat I have about this game's controls, hence the 4.5 stars. This is a problem with every rally simulator though.
One thing that should be mentioned too is the fact that, as with every simulator, if you have a wheel and pedals, the setup of those can be a bit frustrating, but more about that later.
First, the comparisons I'll draw are with DiRT Rally 2.0 and Richard Burns Rally, the biggest competitors in the rally game niche.
Controlling the WRC vehicles on every possible surface is a challenge. But it can be very rewarding if you manage to just hit a single corner the way you want to. WRC Generations manages to succeed very effectively in creating a real feeling of how it could be to drive one of these modern rally cars.
Of course, as someone who hasn't driven a rally vehicle IRL, I cannot say how realistic the feeling is. It is very convincing though.
In the beginning, if you are a newbie to rally simulators, it is a challenge to get used to the controls, however. You need a lot of determination to not give up after overshooting your breaking points 10 times in a row. And that is the only caveat I have about this game's controls, hence the 4.5 stars. This is a problem with every rally simulator though.
One thing that should be mentioned too is the fact that, as with every simulator, if you have a wheel and pedals, the setup of those can be a bit frustrating, but more about that later.
Graphics - 3.5/5
Whereas the controls seem to be the strong suit of WRC Generations, the graphics are somewhat disappointing in certain stages. You can tell that some of the stages are just copy-pasted from older games.
Now graphics, for me personally, are not the most important thing in a racing simulator. The problems I have found should be mentioned to people who worry about that though.
When driving at high speed, there are no problems with the graphics, after all, you cannot tell the details of roadside objects when travelling quickly.
However, problems arise when you are at a standstill. Now, usually, this shouldn't happen during a stage. Furthermore, if you come to a standstill during the stage, I doubt you will be examining the tree textures as closely as I might.
Yet, same as with Dakar Desert Rally, when you are stood at the starting line and you look into the faces of the roadside spectators, a shiver might run down your spine.
Now if you can overlook that and just worry about the racing, where travelling at high speeds looks great, then you will be in for a grand old time in the graphics department.
The fact of the matter is, though: If you come from Richard Burns Rally, this is a definite graphics upgrade. Compared to DiRT Rally 2.0, it feels like a bit of a downgrade.
Now graphics, for me personally, are not the most important thing in a racing simulator. The problems I have found should be mentioned to people who worry about that though.
When driving at high speed, there are no problems with the graphics, after all, you cannot tell the details of roadside objects when travelling quickly.
However, problems arise when you are at a standstill. Now, usually, this shouldn't happen during a stage. Furthermore, if you come to a standstill during the stage, I doubt you will be examining the tree textures as closely as I might.
Yet, same as with Dakar Desert Rally, when you are stood at the starting line and you look into the faces of the roadside spectators, a shiver might run down your spine.
Now if you can overlook that and just worry about the racing, where travelling at high speeds looks great, then you will be in for a grand old time in the graphics department.
The fact of the matter is, though: If you come from Richard Burns Rally, this is a definite graphics upgrade. Compared to DiRT Rally 2.0, it feels like a bit of a downgrade.
Sounds - 4/5
The sound department did a good job. Honestly, I don't know what else to say.
Usually, some reviewers might tell you about the good, the bad and the ugly. In this case, frankly, I have nothing bad or ugly to say.
I like the engine sounds.
I like the co-driver voice actors.
The music on the menu is fine.
The only real problem here is that it doesn't feel outstanding. It's no audible satisfaction that might be delivered from a Hans Zimmer movie soundtrack. You don't get lost in the sounds. That's why I can't give it a full 5 stars.
It's good. But it's not extraordinary. Some might argue it fulfils its purpose to the fullest. A racing simulator is not meant to give you hearing pleasure. On the other hand, I say, cars can sound very enjoyable. Rally cars can too in real life. But I don't think KT Racing quite managed to capture the delightful sounds of 4 screaming cylinders.
It just didn't draw me in as it could've.
Usually, some reviewers might tell you about the good, the bad and the ugly. In this case, frankly, I have nothing bad or ugly to say.
I like the engine sounds.
I like the co-driver voice actors.
The music on the menu is fine.
The only real problem here is that it doesn't feel outstanding. It's no audible satisfaction that might be delivered from a Hans Zimmer movie soundtrack. You don't get lost in the sounds. That's why I can't give it a full 5 stars.
It's good. But it's not extraordinary. Some might argue it fulfils its purpose to the fullest. A racing simulator is not meant to give you hearing pleasure. On the other hand, I say, cars can sound very enjoyable. Rally cars can too in real life. But I don't think KT Racing quite managed to capture the delightful sounds of 4 screaming cylinders.
It just didn't draw me in as it could've.
Options Menu - 2.5/5
The menu and options need a bit of work done. And I have to give this its special place.
Granted, the options menu is not the first thing that comes to mind when reviewing a racing simulator, but in this case, it kind of drove me mad. Let me explain.
One of the most important things in racing simulators is getting comfortable with the controls. Now that means that first off you have to be able to choose the controls you want to have. Now that, here, is not a problem. Everything can be bound to your specific input method. The problem comes with how you change the settings.
Furthermore, in racing simulators, what is the literal first thing any wheel-and-pedal driver does? Set it up in the settings. So that needs to be a very unproblematic affair. Otherwise, you could lose customers even before they first hit the stages.
Now, what are the problems exactly?
1. Why can't sliders be controlled with the mouse?
Trying to adjust any sliders, be it the maximum steering angle or just something as simple as an audio volume slider is weird if it can only be done with arrow keys or d-pads.
2. Why are the controls so complicated to set up?
Comparing this menu to the likes of Assetto Corsa Competizione, setting up the controls takes sooooooooo much more clicking. It takes more time, more time that cannot be spent on the track.
These 2 points are enough to give WRC Generations a barely passing grade for the options menu.
Granted, the options menu is not the first thing that comes to mind when reviewing a racing simulator, but in this case, it kind of drove me mad. Let me explain.
One of the most important things in racing simulators is getting comfortable with the controls. Now that means that first off you have to be able to choose the controls you want to have. Now that, here, is not a problem. Everything can be bound to your specific input method. The problem comes with how you change the settings.
Furthermore, in racing simulators, what is the literal first thing any wheel-and-pedal driver does? Set it up in the settings. So that needs to be a very unproblematic affair. Otherwise, you could lose customers even before they first hit the stages.
Now, what are the problems exactly?
1. Why can't sliders be controlled with the mouse?
Trying to adjust any sliders, be it the maximum steering angle or just something as simple as an audio volume slider is weird if it can only be done with arrow keys or d-pads.
2. Why are the controls so complicated to set up?
Comparing this menu to the likes of Assetto Corsa Competizione, setting up the controls takes sooooooooo much more clicking. It takes more time, more time that cannot be spent on the track.
These 2 points are enough to give WRC Generations a barely passing grade for the options menu.
Content - 4.5/5
Now content is really one of the strong suits of WRC Generations. So many stages await to be tackled.
Let me give you the list of countries you can drive in:
Pair that with 3 WRC classes as well as historic rally cars and there is not much room for improvement.
The only thing that could make this whole situation better is official modding support. However, since that is not the case, if you want more content (of varying quality) better go to Richard Burns Rally. Though, if you are coming from DiRT Rally 2.0, this is way better.
Let me give you the list of countries you can drive in:
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Chile
- Corsica
- Croatia
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Japan
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Turkey
- Wales
Pair that with 3 WRC classes as well as historic rally cars and there is not much room for improvement.
The only thing that could make this whole situation better is official modding support. However, since that is not the case, if you want more content (of varying quality) better go to Richard Burns Rally. Though, if you are coming from DiRT Rally 2.0, this is way better.
Everything Else and Conclusion - 4.25/5
In total, I would give this game 4.25/5 stars with good conscience. It might not be the be-all-end-all of rally simulators, but it is a good tribute to a franchise soon bygone.
KT Racing's WRC franchise has seen many iterations over the years. This one, being my personal first one, makes me wonder how it has avoided me so far.
I like this game much better than DiRT Rally 2.0. However, there is one contender I still cherish to this day.
Richard Burns Rally is still great if you can look past the dated looks. So the choice at the moment is simple really.
If you plan on getting into rally games at the moment and you care about graphics, go for WRC Generations, it's a cool title.
If, however, you don't care about graphics but prefer the amount of content, go find yourself Richard Burns Rally.
For other people who might be thinking of buying this game and have experience in other WRC games, go get it. For me, it's better than DiRT Rally 2.0 and that is the most fierce competitor of modern rallying games.
We will still have to wait a bit until the next DiRT Rally game comes, under whatever name it will be, until that time, however, WRC Generations is surely a good time to bridge the gap. And who knows, maybe it will even survive upcoming rallying titles.
What do you think of WRC Generations? Let us know in the comments down below!
KT Racing's WRC franchise has seen many iterations over the years. This one, being my personal first one, makes me wonder how it has avoided me so far.
I like this game much better than DiRT Rally 2.0. However, there is one contender I still cherish to this day.
Richard Burns Rally is still great if you can look past the dated looks. So the choice at the moment is simple really.
If you plan on getting into rally games at the moment and you care about graphics, go for WRC Generations, it's a cool title.
If, however, you don't care about graphics but prefer the amount of content, go find yourself Richard Burns Rally.
For other people who might be thinking of buying this game and have experience in other WRC games, go get it. For me, it's better than DiRT Rally 2.0 and that is the most fierce competitor of modern rallying games.
We will still have to wait a bit until the next DiRT Rally game comes, under whatever name it will be, until that time, however, WRC Generations is surely a good time to bridge the gap. And who knows, maybe it will even survive upcoming rallying titles.
What do you think of WRC Generations? Let us know in the comments down below!
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