Key Takeaways
1. Game Types: The rally racing gaming scene includes serious simulations like DiRT Rally 2.0, fun-focused games like Dirt 5, and Drive Rally, which leans towards enjoyable gameplay.
2. Nostalgic Arcade Fun: Drive Rally features charming flat-shaded 3D graphics and arcade-style gameplay, appealing to those seeking a nostalgic rally racing experience at an affordable price.
3. Packed with Features: The game includes six driving teams, 22 iconic rally cars, a party mode for up to 12 players, and a co-driver who provides humorous commentary.
4. Unique Visual Style: Drive Rally boasts a distinctive ’90s aesthetic with low-poly graphics and voxel art, along with a free-roam mode for exploration and collectibles.
5. Low Hardware Requirements: The game has minimal system requirements and is Steam Deck Verified, ensuring compatibility with various devices.
The rally racing gaming scene can be divided into two main types. On one side, there’s DiRT Rally 2.0, which is for serious racing simulation enthusiasts who crave a genuine experience. On the other hand, you have Dirt 5, which focuses more on chaos and enjoyment rather than realism. Interestingly, Drive Rally finds itself in the middle of these two extremes, leaning more toward the fun side.
Nostalgic Arcade Fun
Drive Rally stands out from many precise racing simulation games by embracing the nostalgia of classic rally racing. It features charming, flat-shaded 3D graphics and arcade-style gameplay. Even though it doesn’t take itself too seriously, Drive Rally offers a lot for players, especially considering its price of under $20 on Steam (currently $13.99, thanks to a launch discount of 1.0).
Features and Fun
Despite its lighthearted gameplay and occasional quirky humor, Drive Rally is packed with features. It includes six distinct driving teams, each with its own tracks and maps, a party mode for up to 12 players, 22 iconic rally cars with a customization system, and compatibility with various game controllers and racing wheels. Every rally team also comes with a co-driver, who gives turn calls and humorous comments when you inevitably crash into a corner.
Unique Visual Style
In line with its ’90s aesthetic, Drive Rally has a distinctive visual style that combines low-poly graphics, flat shading, and a hint of voxel art for a delightful nostalgic appearance. The 1.0 update also introduced a free-roam mode, allowing players to discover numerous collectibles and Easter eggs throughout the game.
Drive Rally spent several months in Steam Early Access before its official 1.0 release, and the developers took that time to listen to player feedback, adding new content, features, and fixing gameplay issues. The newly added features include:
In addition to the new elements that promise to keep players engaged, the launch of Drive Rally 1.0 has come with a variety of changes that address common quality-of-life issues. These enhancements consist of better co-driver voice-overs, customizable steering curves for game pad and keyboard users, texture optimizations, and improved support for gaming wheels and game pads.
Minimal Hardware Requirements
The system requirements for Drive Rally are also quite low, and it holds Steam Deck Verified status, making it easy to run on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go (currently priced at $649.99 at Best Buy).