Dakar 2010

I feel the need... the need for speed!

For everyone who has ever felt like hitting the road and burning rubber through some of the world’s most treacherous terrain you may be glad to know you’re far from alone and there’s probably no race as tough as the Dakar rally.

Dakar 2010 is as you’d expect from a thrill packed driving game. You get behind the wheel of a tough all terrain vehicle (ATV) wait until the green light shows and don’t blink as the rest of the world passes you by in a quick blur as you accelerate to the finishing line whilst trying to stay glued to the dirt tracks. As you’d probably guess, keeping the foot to the floor isn’t a problem, staying on the road is however. This game has it all, the tight bends, the slower turns, bumps and blind corners and best of all, it even feels that bit more real thanks to the vibration function being activated on the handset.

As a fairly experienced mobile game racer, I’ve found myself getting very engrossed with this particular title. Unlike quite a few other titles I could mention, this game is more outright fun and a perfect adrenaline fix for the few minutes that each course takes. You have the option of a quick challenge where you can prove to yourself and your friends that you are undeniably the best driver since Colin McCrae. Alternatively, if you wish to challenge yourself (and the clock) then you will be pleased to see the time attack mode.  Finally there’s the championship mode which gives you the best challenge – a variety of courses and although you may not win huge amounts of cash for winning this prestigious event, you will of course have a huge sense of accomplishment should you make it passed the finishing line.

If realism is your thing, this game offers some very realistic looking courses and some pretty tough opposition. The handling of the car is also pretty good, it is sharp and it seems to drift very nicely into the cornering. The shudders given off by the handset are a nice touch and not overdone. The only drawback is that the need for braking, even in the sharpest turns isn’t really necessary. I say this as unlike with other racing games, you don’t damage or flip your car over, just slow or stop your car which only affects your time.

In earnest though, this game is a pretty good buy and offers you plenty of thrills without too many spills and is as close to the arcade experience as you can probably find on a handset – which is no small feat. All that would make this game truly unbelievably good is the option to play some driving tunes to get your mind in the zone as the music provided isn’t the best.

Rating 84%

Positives

Pretty authentic racing experience

Lots and lots of tracks to compete in

Good for a quick game

You can watch the replay of your race once you’ve won

Negatives

Sadly no option to change the difficulty setting

Not as realistic as some other titles (e.g. no car damage)

Sound effects and music aren’t much to write home about