DiRT 5

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of DIRT 5 are quite varied. Some critics, like Hooked Gamers and Telegraph, appreciate the narratively driven career mode and the variety it adds to the game. They mention the star-studded cast and the presence of a rival character, which raises the stakes and provides a more engaging experience. Comicbook.com also highlights the solid foundation of the story and the stellar voice acting. These positive aspects contribute to the potential of the story, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. However, there are also critics who express disappointment with the story of DIRT 5. IGN, Stevivor, and COGconnected all mention that the story is lacking depth and fails to engage the player. IGN, in particular, emphasizes that the story, told through in-game podcast snippets, is not essential and lacks depth. Stevivor goes on to say that the story is not well-developed and blends into the background, further diminishing its impact. COGconnected echoes these sentiments, stating that the story lacks drama and fails to engage the player. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of DIRT 5 falls short of expectations. While there are positive elements such as the star-studded cast and solid voice acting, the story lacks depth and fails to fully engage the player. Critics like IGN, Stevivor, and COGconnected express disappointment with the story, highlighting its lack of drama and development. Despite the narratively driven career mode praised by Hooked Gamers and Telegraph, the overall sentiment leans towards a lackluster story experience in DIRT 5.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the gameplay of DIRT 5, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted. Critics such as God is a Geek, Push Square, Game Debate, COGconnected, Critical Hit, Digital Chumps, Noisy Pixel, Screen Rant, The Games Machine, VG247, Finger Guns, GameSpew, ZTGD, Cubed3, Destructoid, Game Informer, and Impulsegamer all praise the gameplay in various ways. They mention that the handling feels tight and the cars drift around corners sublimely, providing a fluid and enjoyable experience. The forgiving handling allows players to throw cars around and perform satisfying drifts and overtakes. The fusion of simulation and arcade driving, as well as the accessibility and fun factor, are also highlighted. The game offers a variety of race types and events, with different surfaces affecting the vehicle's performance. The gameplay is described as thrilling, fun, and accessible, with a focus on straight-forward racing and arcade-style handling. On the other hand, there are some negative aspects mentioned by critics such as IGN, The Digital Fix, and DarkStation. They argue that the handling lacks excitement and innovation, with IGN mentioning that it feels tameable but not particularly thrilling. The Digital Fix points out that while the gameplay initially offers challenge and variety, it can start to feel stale and repetitive over time. DarkStation criticizes the simplified driving physics and handling, stating that it feels less like driving a car and more like moving a hollow thing on wheels. They also mention that the AI drivers race mechanically, and the rubber-band AI closes the gap between the player and competitors. The lack of the thrill of speed is also highlighted. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of DIRT 5 is generally positive. The majority of reviewers appreciate the fun and enjoyable aspects of the gameplay, praising the handling mechanics and the fusion of simulation and arcade driving. The accessibility and variety of race types and events are also well-received. However, there are some mixed opinions regarding the level of excitement and innovation in the gameplay. While some critics find it satisfying and enjoyable, others feel that it lacks the thrill and innovation expected in a racing game. It is worth noting that the majority of critics have a positive view of the gameplay, highlighting its fun factor, accessibility, and the ability to perform satisfying drifts and overtakes.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of DIRT 5, it is evident that the majority of critics had positive views on the game's visuals. Many reviewers praised the game's stunning graphics, attention to detail, and vibrant environments. Critics such as God is a Geek, Hooked Gamers, and Comicbook.com highlighted the stunning graphics and environments, with particular attention to detail in weather systems and realistic car impressions. The visuals were described as gorgeous, with muddy tracks and cloud storms adding to the overall experience, according to Critical Hit. The changing conditions, lighting effects, and dynamic weather were also commended for creating a vivid and immersive experience, as mentioned by Screen Rant and Telegraph. However, there were a few critics who had some negative opinions regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of DIRT 5. DarkStation mentioned a washed-out appearance with crudely defined surfaces and shapes, and Digital Chumps noted that while there were moments when the game looked decent, such as during night races, it was not the best-looking racing game around. Additionally, Noisy Pixel mentioned that the environments and effects appeared plain, with low-resolution textures and an unimpressive skybox. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of DIRT 5 are very good. The majority of reviewers praised the game's visuals, with many highlighting the stunning graphics, attention to detail, and vibrant environments. The game's impressive lighting, weather effects, and dynamic weather systems were also commended. While there were a few critics who had some negative opinions, the overall sentiment leans towards the positive, with the majority of critics acknowledging the game's visual prowess and immersive experience.

In terms of the sound design and music of DIRT 5, the majority of critics have expressed positive opinions. The implementation of 3D audio and positional audio is widely praised, with critics like God is a Geek and Push Square commending the use of these features to enhance the immersive experience. The sound effects, such as the realistic sounds of gravel, dirt, turbos, and exhaust pops, are also highlighted by Hooked Gamers as contributing to the game's immersive nature. The soundtrack of DIRT 5 is a standout aspect, with critics like God is a Geek, Stevivor, COGconnected, TheSixthAxis, VG247, and Cubed3 all praising it. The epic and bombastic tunes, catchy music, and upbeat tempo create a lively and enjoyable atmosphere, adding to the overall experience. The use of licensed songs, including recognizable tracks by Pearl Jam, is also appreciated by VG247. The inclusion of an in-game podcast, as mentioned by Comicbook.com, adds another layer of depth to the audio experience. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the sound design and music of DIRT 5. DarkStation criticizes the game's noisy music, referring to it as terrible and even muting it. The over-scripted voice-overs and embarrassing banter are also criticized, although no specific details about the sound design or music are provided. VG247 mentions a negative aspect of the in-menu radio show/podcast, which is not well-received by the reviewer. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of DIRT 5 are strong and contribute positively to the overall experience. The implementation of 3D audio, positional audio, and spatial audio, along with the realistic sound effects, enhances the immersion in the game. The epic and bombastic soundtrack, catchy music, and upbeat tempo create a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. The inclusion of licensed songs and an in-game podcast adds depth and variety to the audio experience. While there are some negative opinions regarding the game's noisy music, over-scripted voice-overs, and the in-menu radio show/podcast, the positive aspects of the sound design and music outweigh the negatives, making DIRT 5 a game with a strong audio experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in DIRT 5 are quite varied. On the positive side, several critics mention the involvement of renowned voice actors Troy Baker and Nolan North, which adds a level of star power to the game. Critics such as Comicbook.com and Impulsegamer specifically praise the voice acting, describing it as "stellar" and "professional." The inclusion of recognizable voice actors like Baker and North is seen as a positive aspect, as it adds depth to the narratively driven career mode, according to Hooked Gamers. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the voice acting in DIRT 5. DarkStation criticizes the voice-overs for being over-scripted and embarrassing, without providing specific details about Baker and North's performances. TheSixthAxis mentions that while there is notable voice talent involved, the voices of the rivals in the game are described as shallow and not engaging. Additionally, Destructoid mentions a lack of a good script for the campaign's podcast presentation, although they do not specifically mention the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the solid and professional voice acting, others find it lacking or criticize certain aspects of it. The involvement of Troy Baker and Nolan North is generally seen as a positive, but the lack of specific opinions on their performances in IGN's reviews leaves room for interpretation. It seems that the voice acting in DIRT 5 is a subjective aspect that may appeal to some players while leaving others wanting more.

In terms of the Technical Performance of DIRT 5, the game received positive feedback from critics on multiple gaming platforms. On the PlayStation 5, God is a Geek and Push Square both praised the smooth performance, minimal load times, and absence of screen-tearing. COGconnected also commended the fantastic optimization of the game on the PlayStation 4. These positive opinions indicate that DIRT 5 runs smoothly and efficiently on these consoles, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. However, there were also negative opinions regarding the Technical Performance of DIRT 5 on certain platforms. Video Chums reported significant glitches on the PS5 version, including getting stuck in a loop and game crashes. Stevivor mentioned stability issues with frequent crashes and an audio bug on the PC version. DarkStation criticized the performance mode on the PS4, highlighting rough edges, screen tearing, and jerky visuals. Noisy Pixel mentioned inconsistent performance and performance issues on the PC version. These criticisms suggest that DIRT 5 faced technical challenges on some platforms, impacting the overall experience for players. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed regarding the Technical Performance of DIRT 5. While there were positive remarks about the smooth performance and minimal load times on the PlayStation consoles, there were also reports of glitches, crashes, and screen tearing on both the PS5 and PS4 versions. The PC version faced stability issues and inconsistent performance. The Xbox consoles received less attention, but Finger Guns and ZTGD mentioned technical issues such as screen tearing. Cubed3 highlighted visual quality concerns on the Xbox Series S. Despite these technical challenges, some critics, like PC Gamer, noted that the game did not bear the scars of an unusual development process. Overall, DIRT 5's Technical Performance received a mixed reception, with both positive and negative aspects mentioned by critics across different gaming platforms.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of DIRT 5 are generally positive. Many critics highlight the various game modes and features that contribute to the game's replayability. IGN, Video Chums, Critical Hit, and Finger Guns specifically mention the Playgrounds mode as a standout feature that encourages creativity and provides long-term entertainment. The ability to create and share custom tracks in Playgrounds is praised by several critics, including Push Square and GameSpew. The inclusion of four-player splitscreen multiplayer is also commended by IGN, Video Chums, and Comicbook.com, as it adds a social and competitive aspect to the game. On the negative side, some critics express concerns about the repetition and lack of variety in certain aspects of the game. The Digital Fix mentions that the game starts to feel repetitive after a while, and DarkStation criticizes the lukewarm voice-overs in the career mode. Game Informer also points out the lack of incentive in most modes outside of the career, which may limit the long-term appeal for some players. Additionally, DarkStation criticizes the track editor in Playgrounds for being more focused on fooling around rather than creating high-quality tracks. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that DIRT 5 offers good replay value. The variety of game modes, including career mode, arcade mode, time trial, multiplayer, and Playgrounds mode, provides options for all types of players. The inclusion of Playgrounds mode, with its track editor and user-created content, is particularly praised for its ability to extend the game's longevity. The multiplayer features, such as four-player splitscreen and online leaderboards, also contribute to the replayability. While there are some criticisms regarding repetition and lack of incentives in certain modes, the positive aspects of the game outweigh the negatives, making DIRT 5 a worthwhile choice for fans of arcade racing games.