REVIEW – We’re getting a WRC-license based game in 2017 as well. Kylotonn entered the world of the World Rally Championship the third time, but it’s hard for them to get out of the midfield. The devs mostly left Milestone in the dust (maybe except 3, which was okay I think), Codemasters is a long way ahead of them, unfortunately.

 

WRC 7 has both decent and on the other hand, making-you-think points, which means the following text, as well as the rating, is going to be mixed. There are things that did not change: the menu looks like a complete liftover from 6. Penalizing for leaving the track is still as hard as in the last game – 9 seconds can make or break a win for you. The not-so-good looking crowd still dares to go on track (like in the past: V-Rally 2?)

Test

There’s a bit of similarity to last year’s game here, too: WRC 7 starts you off with a test track to see how skilled you are, and then it will set up the game to present you a high enough challenge factor. Of course, if you end up flying off the track once or twice, it won’t be surprising: WRC 7 looks realistically dangerous with sometimes tight roads, which is something I remember from 5, and the co-driver’s voice is… let’s be blunt, UNBELIEVABLE. I don’t remember anything similar from another rally game, and I played a few in the past twenty years!

If I had to describe in text how he talks, it woULD bE liKE THIS… YES! I already smiled at his intonation, but the way he says BRAKE! – now that made me fall off my chair in laughter. Simply put, the navigator’s voice is simply not fitting here.

Road to nowhere

It’s expected from a licensed game to almost entirely including all teams/locations. Kylotonn has pulled it off: aside from each rally location, every WRC driver, as well as the full WRC 2 and Junior WRC category got included. However, the completion will somewhat hit back in the career mode, which itself was copied over from 6: you start with a junior team, and you’ll have to fight – or more like drive – your way up to the WRC category to become the world champion. With F1 2017, Codemasters at least broke up the ten seasons with invitational events – you’ll need patience, even though the game will award you cars to use in other game modes. WRC 7 is also not that much of a beginner’s game… I don’t know; Milestone is somehow still ahead of them despite making a WRC game four years ago the last time!

Regarding the controls, there is an improvement, but I still think it’s arcade-y. With DiRT 4, the gamer and simulation options made a significant difference, but that’s not available here, and it could have been a wonderful addition. Visually, the game doesn’t look too shabby, yet – I know that I make readers mad with always comparing – DiRT 4 and even DiRT Rally has a bit of advantage over Kylotonn‘s work. On the other hand, though, Kylotonn managed to make the lighting effects stunning! On a night track, you’ll have a bit of fear going on, even though your co-driver has clear instructions on how to navigate the track ahead. That’s a perfect feeling. I’m serious, the seventh numbered WRC game (well technically there’s more… but I mean the recent adaptations) has mixed results: aside from the co-driver, the audio is average, and I have no other complaints here, as the previously somewhat annoying echo is gone.

Only for WRC fans

DiRT doesn’t have the WRC license (however, they did partially include the rallycross series in 4), so only Kylotonn‘s title shows what the World Rally Championship is about… under the limitations of a videogame. Online, unfortunately, isn’t populated yet, and I’m afraid it is going to be worse later this year, and the damage system isn’t as good either. WRC 7, in the end, reaches the finish line with a point value between 6 and 7. It’s obviously improving, but Kylotonn‘s game is good for second place only. That’s not bad… but asking 5 euros for the Porsche DLC is ridiculous! Oh well…

-V-

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Publisher: BigBen

Developer: Kylotonn

Genre: Racing simulator

Release date: September 15, 2017