Colin McRae Rally 04 - PC

The Colin McRae series is a big deal here on UK shores. It’s a seminal series from Codemasters that was born on PlayStation in 1998 and that has since come on in leaps and bounds. Colin McRae 2 was a massive success, and although Colin McRae 3 is generally regarded as something of a letdown, it still provided a comprehensive rally experience. And as we go into further into the naughties, Codemasters has released Colin McRae Rally 04 for PC.

One of the first things we have to tell you about this fourth instalment of Colin McRae Rally is that it is so much better than its immediate predecessor. Not only do the front wheels do all of the steering, but they do so with a realism that we haven't witnessed since Colin McRae 2. So, the fundamentals are back in place - great.

Colin 04 comes with more than 20 rally cars to race in, from makers including Ford, Citroen, Subaru and Peugot. New single and multi-player game modes are plentiful; two and four-wheel drive models are available for selection, with dedicated championships for both breeds of car, along with the option to race in country-specific rallies, stages, customised rallies, and a unique car parts-testing mode in which you can win advanced technology for your vehicle, thus boosting your chances of success.

But the game as a whole is about how it handles and how it looks. Last time around, Colin disappointed, but Colin 04 rectifies everything. The handling characteristics that were so much of a bugbear in Colin 03 have been ironed out completely. The visuals, especially for this PC version, are a treat - Colin never looked so good. And if you passed on Colin 03, take 04 for a spin. As soon as the first gravel spits out from your rear wheels, you'll be hooked. more