There's no carnival trailer-yard pseudo-character menu here, just some platonic shapes floating in a strange menu dimension. This third Dirt game seems to have stepped back a little from the excesses of the previous game, in which the attempt to merge the relatively austere accelerated dangers of rallying with the XTREME AWESOMENESS of our American Cousins' X-Games branded attitude sports experiences seemed a little-the-top. It takes a broad approach, and tries to be as lively as possible in its portrayal of hi-tech hatchbacks and vintage rallycars alike. Tight, satisfying, forgiving off-road racing, it most certainly is. It's been true that Codemasters' recent racing games have satisfied these desires for me for the past few years, and Dirt 3 is no different. I want the sense of speed and the feel of mass, but without the hubris of honest handling. I want the thrill of sliding on gravel, but not the actual physics.

I just want to throw a car about and not care about the consequences. Perhaps it's down to years of trying to compete with my Grand Prix Legends-loving chum and sliding off at the first or second corner on each attempt, or perhaps it's because I just want something different from racing. In some areas of gaming I enjoy simulation, even crave it, but not in racing. Good thing too, because I've come to realise that my tastes are not consistent.

Dirt 3 slid neatly into its release spot on Tuesday, before accelerating its way onto my hard-drive.

Ne x dirt 3 wallpaper