DIRT 5 revealed new modes, Hotshot Racing amused indie fans and Project CARS 3 celebrated its launch on a special podium.
Photo credit: Codemasters / gamescom
DIRT 5 only presented one trailer, which was packed with new information. The most prominent announcement was “Playgrounds”, an editor mode which lets you build your own arena tracks and share them with the world. Users will be able to browse the tracks just like YouTube videos, and give ‘likes’. Players then get recommendations for tracks depending on what they liked.
Playgrounds features three different race-types: Gate Crasher, Smash Attack and Gymkhana. Gate Crasher is a simple checkpoint race, while Smash Attack lets you search and ram other objectives in a (more or less) open field as fast as possible.
Gymkhana has already made an appearance in DiRT3 and now makes a comeback after being left out in DiRT 4. This mode requires players to connect jumps and slides as smoothly as possible to receive points and beat the high score. For hands-on insight into Playgrounds, have a look at our DIRT 5 preview video.
DIRT 5 PLAYGROUNDS REVIEW: THE NEW FEATURE UP CLOSE
In addition, Codemasters has announced the mysterious “Vampire” mode. No one knows for sure what this feature is going be. Perhaps it is some kind of zombie mode in which one car starts as a “vampire” and has to stay near other cars for some period to “drain” them and turn them into vampires as well. The last player to survive wins. Time will tell if this prediction is right – you will be able to find out on OverTake, of course.
Project CARS 3: A doubtable winner?
After this promising presentation it was no surprise to see DIRT 5 win the gamescom award for “Best Racing Game”. The game beat inhouse rival Project CARS 3. But PC 3 didn’t have to go home empty-handed. While celebrating its official launch at gamescom, it claimed the “Best Simulation” award.
Sim racing fans across the internet have both laughed and raged about this decision, as few acknowledge PC 3 as a true racing sim. The victory was particularly odd because Microsoft’s new ultra-realistic Flight Simulator was also a competitor.
Best simulation? It’s a fucking arcade game
— steve (@stevecurtis_85) August 30, 2020
Hotshot Racing is more than alive
Curve Digital have announced a release date for their fun racer Hotshot Racing. From September 10, arcade fans can hop into the quirky comic world and attend fast-paced races in different modes. Hotshot Racing offers a single player mode as well as four-player splitscreen or online races with up to eight competitors. Drifting and boosting is fun and the controls feel always precise.
Besides classic races, there is a cop mode, in which some players are police officers and have to chase and bust others. Hotshot Racing might definitely be worth a look for those who put quick fun over realism.
