WRC 6 (PlayStation 4) Preview

Speaking with the developer, it is clear to see that WRC 5 was, despite receiving lots of care and attention, very much new ground for the team and was possibly a case of trial and error. WRC 5 also had the unenviable task of being developed for PS3 and Xbox 360, as well as for PS4 and Xbox One, which was always going to result in sacrifices. This time, though, WRC 6 has been purpose-built for the current generation of consoles. Kylotonn has listened to the feedback of hardcore rally fans that played last year's release and noted that gamers were criticising the fact that there was not a real sense of danger and that the tracks were too wide, making it easy to drift around. In WRC 6 these issues have been addressed; roads are narrower, various surfaces handle very differently and the cars handle better than ever before.

That last point is much to do with the involvement of former WRC 3 rally champion Sébastien Chardonnet, who has spent the last 18 months hard at work with the development group to make sure the cars and tracks both reacted realistically and felt as true to life as possible, creating a very close to true replication of driving. Sébastien was involved in WRC 5, but this time his influence and involvement was increased and you can see the little details that can only come from having someone with professional rally driving experience involved in the process. Playing with a steering wheel and peddles, there really is a fight to control accurately, and any lapse in concentration or moment of overconfidence is quickly to the detriment of those at the wheel. Furthermore, the dirt kicking out from behind the tyres can almost be felt, such is the attention to detail.

Also on-board as game designer for WRC 6 is racing game veteran Alain Jarniou, whose previous experience includes Test Drive Unlimited and V Rally 3. Alain was keen for WRC 6 to be played with friends and competitively. Split-screen multiplayer features for the first time in the WRC series, and Kylotonn is paying consideration to the ever-growing eSports scene. An eSports competition will take place throughout the year and at each real live WRC rally event there will also be an equivalent online competition for players of the game featuring the current WRC track at that point in the season.

Along with authentic tracks from the WRC season, there are also special stages that, although not 100% laser-scanned perfect renditions of real life tracks, are inspired by their real world counterparts. Alain Jarniou is quick to remind that, with the cancellation of the Chinese rally last season, this will be the first time that people will see the Beijing rally track. Gamers will go through a qualification process to narrow down to a final list of 18, who will then go head to head in the final. The winner of the overall eSports championship will drive away with an actual car to boot, so competition should be high. WRC 6 will also feature weekly challenges and weekly rewards that will be more accessible to casual gamers, since not everyone can be an eSports pro, after all.

The latest version promises a glut of teams and drivers to choose from, with 52 teams available across WRC, WRC 2, and WRC 3. In the career mode, players start off in WRC 3 and must race their way through the ranks and skid, slide, and drift their way until they are driving alongside the crème de la crème. Throughout the journey, contracts will be offered from various teams, but there are stipulations and other factors to consider when it comes to deciding what one to take.

Different teams have different spirits or ethos. If a player's driving style is radically different to how the team expect them to drive, then there will be issues and car mechanics could take longer to fix the car than if the driver and team ethos is on the same page.