Platform: PC
Manufacturer: Digital Illusions / Infogrames

INTRODUCTION:

Rally Masters is the latest addition to the genre of rally racing simulators that makes a real challenge for the title of best rally game on the market at this moment. It is made by a Swedish company, Digital Illusions, and distributed by Infogrames from France. Rally Masters was a 'sleeper' when it became available in retail stores. There were no big advertising campaigns or other noticeable PR-stunts preceding the launch of it. One might almost think that the publisher didn't trust the title and was cautious in its release. That is a shame since Rally Masters is a very good product and would've deserved the usual hype preceding certain titles, assumed to be hit products by the publisher.

What does Rally Masters offer for the racing addict? 30 real-world drivers as your AI-opponents (and certain AI-drivers can be tough to beat), 45 different tracks which are located in six different countries (USA, England, Sweden and others), 26 rally racing cars from the past to the present and to top it all a truly exciting multiplayer-option.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

• Pentium 233 MHz CPUu
• MS Windows 95/98
• 32 MB RAM
• Direct3D compatible display adapter
• 4x CDROM drive
• Sound Blaster compatible soundcard

MY SETUP:

• AMD Athlon 700MHz CPU
• MS Windows 98SE
• 256 MB RAM
• Diamond Viper V550 display adapter
• 48x CDROM drive
• Sound Blaster Live soundcard
• Logitech force feedback wheel

BOX COVER & MANUAL:

The retail box has a dark tone to it (not too catchy on store shelves), the text is clear and easy to read and the box has a recommendation from ELSPA which tells that the game is suitable for persons of three years of age and older. The included manual is fairly small in size (it is the size of the plastic CD-case cover) and thus the text in the manual is smallish, though one doesn't need a magnifying glass to read it. The manual goes through all the basic functions of the game and the user is ready to start driving after once reading through it. There is a slight error to be found in the manual when defining analog controls for the game. The text in the manual and the text in the actual game don't correspond to each other and some 'trial-and-error'-testing may be needed to get the right feel for an analog wheel for instance. I would think the definitions in the game have been changed after the manual has went in to the print and because of this it has been too late to implement the changes.

GAMEPLAY:

There are basically four different modes in which to race. Race of Champions is featured in the name of the game and is maybe the most unique of the challenges Rally Masters has. The location is the exact replica of the track used in the real race of Champions driven annually in the Canary Isles (a small island on the Atlantic off the African coast) and the rules are the same as in the real event as well. Two drivers race on parallel circuits side by side with identical cars and the winner advances to the next round. This elimination-type contest leaves the two best drivers of the bunch to decide upon the winner of the Race of Champions. This kind of competition is especially fun online with a group of drivers.

The championship-mode is basically the same as Race of Champions but this time there are six parallel racecourses in six different countries to drive on. Rally Masters Challenge cup-mode uses the circular tracks instead of the regular special stages. You get points according to your finishing position in each race and naturally the driver with most points at the end is declared the winner. The toughest driving mode is the Rally Masters Trophy. In this mode you will not only race more tracks but you will also have to contend with varying weather, possible damage to your car (which can be partly or totally repaired at certain points of the competition) and the untouchable clock. These races are run only against the clock with one car running at the special stage. In this mode you will definitely appreciate the directions given to you by your co-driver who is by the way quite good in reading his notes.

Other modes of game play are the traditional single rally, where the driver can choose the track, car and opponent as he/she pleases and then time-attack. Time-attack is a nice way to practice the various tracks, weather and lightning conditions and of course to perfect that racing line for any given course. Time-attack mode is useful for hot lapping with your friends or taking part in the various hot lap competitions on the Internet. Last but most definitely not the least is the option to go online with the multiplayer option. What you need is the information for active Rally Masters-server and then you just fire up the Rally Lobby-program (included on the game CD) to meet your friends online. Or you could use your own computer as the server and invite your friends to a race hosted by you, although all involved parties still need to use the Rally Lobby-program. Setting up races and joining them are easy to do and races can be passworded for invitational races.

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