Sega Rally is an arcade-rally racing game and unlike other games from the same genre, it focuses only on rally-cross races based on exotic tracks with a limit of three laps each race. Well, if you can skip the fact that the game remains the same arcade, you would probably go on and finish it, or at least try to. Its difficulty is increased as you progress through championships, and like a good arcade it gets frustrating after you complete the half of the game. Using the same old methods to make you continue playing, Sega seduces the player with bonus cars, bonus races and paint liveries.

Vehicles

Over 30 vehicles are available to drive: 4WD, 2WD and classics. You can choose from Subaru Impreza WRX, Mitsubishi EVO IX, to VW Golf kit car, Toyota Celica kit car and Ford Escort Cosworth, Lancia Delta Integrale, etc.

Every bonus car can be achieved by earning points in the championships. Although their is a acceptable diversity of car models, there is no big difference in driving a Focus or a 207. The only difference in handling consists in the type of traction. The 4WD models have better handling, despite the 2WD models which have a repetitive effect of undesteer. Mysteriously, the 2WD category has faster cars compared to the 4WD category. On a straight line you can drive a 2WD car with a speed of over 212 km/h, while a 4WD car hardly achieves 200 km/h. In a few words: the differences between cars of the same category are hardly noticed.

Game Modes

The championship mode gives you the opportunity to play on three groups of cars: Premier, Modified, and Masters. Every group has four levels of difficulty: amateur, professional, expert, and final. At the beginning only the amateur level will be available, the other being locked. As you earn to correct amount of points, the other levels will be unlocked. The Time-Trial Mode is as classic as it can be. choose the cars group, the track and off you go to make a record. The fastest time will be recorded as a ghost and can be replayed as you try again to beat-up the time. Quick Race is all about choosing the car and the track for a single race with opponents.

Dynamical deformations

Sega Rally series was an inspiration for Codemasters when they decided to start the development process for Colin McRae franchise. Mostly because it was the first game to use the idea of different terrain surfaces which might directly influence the physics of the car. Based on a next-gen particle system and with the help of shader model 3.0, the graphical engine of the game can display in real time the deformations of the terrain. This is the key feature of the game and the reason why I actually played the game. Every car in front of you and every lap counts in the handling of your car, as the track gets dirtier and rougher. Sand and mud terrain will slow your car and will make you fight for every grip that you can get from it.

Snow and melted snow will make the car to slide a lot but at least will not slow you very much.

Gravel and tarmac are the surfaces where you will reach the highest speed and you will have the most grip. These types of surfaces are not just there, but there are influenced by the environments in which the tracks are situated. For example Tropical environment will include only mud, sand and some gravel, while the Alpine environment will include tarmac, snow, melted snow and some rough gravel. There is no need to go further into details as you will feel by yourself each terrain while you will progress in the game.

Physics

The game is intended to be a combination between simulation and arcade style. So the result of it is a game where the physics of the car look realistic but can be driven in the most pure arcade mode. There are no physical or visual deformations of the car. So the whole physics of the game relies on the car's suspension and wheels behavior in contact with the terrain. Every car in front of you and every lap will create deeper and deeper ditches which will create problems in handling especially on the third lap of the race.

For the North America market, Sega decided to use a series of three short comedy films as promotional activity. The films are starring Natasha Leggero and Melinda Hill as Tonya and Donya. The two comedy collaborators make fun of the female drivers, so in some way it has drawn the attention of feminist groups. Today everything is possible, so if you are interested you can watch them here: 1, 2, 3 .