Dirt 3 arrives on PS3, PC and X360 with a simple goal: make racing over dirt, mud and grass feel fast and rough again. Codemasters mostly succeeds, even if the game spends more time on spectacle than on polish.
Trailer, via dirt3game.
Rallying’s New Home
The core mode sends players through stages packed with jumps, mud and tight turns. Each stage rewards patience as much as speed, since losing control means losing time. The handling model stays consistent across every vehicle, which keeps the difficulty curve steady rather than harsh. That consistency means new drivers can learn the feel of the car without having to adapt to a different setup for each track.
Surface Detail
Dirt 3 pushes the PS3 hardware harder than most titles on the system, with mud splashing off wheels and dust rising behind cars during drifts. PC and X360 versions run smoother still, though the difference is smaller than expected. The sound design carries the mood, with engines roaring and tires slipping on loose ground. Those audio details help sell the rough, unsteady feel of driving through mud and grass.
Career Mode
The career mode runs across three seasons, each season adding new vehicles and tracks. Players earn upgrades and unlock new events by winning races, which gives the campaign a sense of progress beyond simple replay value. The mode is not deep, but it holds attention well enough, letting players work through the seasons without feeling like they’re just repeating the same races.
Comparison of Platforms
| Feature | PS3 | PC | X360 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame rate | Less smooth | Smoothest | Between PS3 and PC |
| Load times | Long | Short | Between PS3 and PC |
| Visual detail | Good | Best | Good |
The Numbers Behind the Game
The game’s schedule ran from announcement to release across several platforms:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Announcement | Announced |
| Release | Out now |
What Holds It Back
Not everything lands. Some tracks feel too similar to each other, and the online mode lacks the depth found in other racers. The difficulty spikes in later stages can frustrate players who want a steady challenge rather than a sudden one. Those issues keep Dirt 3 from being a perfect package, but they don’t spoil the core experience.
Final Score
Dirt 3 delivers a solid rally experience on PS3, PC and X360, with the strongest showing on PC and the weakest on PS3. It does not reinvent the genre, but it executes the ideas behind it with skill.
