The damage model and collision physics have massively improved. Progressive car damage means that the car will now degrade in stages, making repair decisions just as important as driving the stages themselves. Tape barriers can be broken, debris flies off the car and roadside objects provide additional hazards that respond to the level of impact.
Built from the ground up, the all-new driving model has been developed in conjunction with the rally teams themselves, basing its raw physics on an unprecedented amount of real world data. The cars now feature a larger set of components that can be modified, but WRC 4 still maintains immediate accessibility for the novice.
The innovative 1-16 player Online Mode features a revolutionary “live lobby” system – the first of its kind in any online rally game. The live lobby allows players to get straight into the action, with no waiting around for games to begin or any clumsy ‘challenge’ system. Players are able to join a game even if already in progress and attempt to post their fastest time before the game time limit has been reached.
Buddy lists form the core of the online mode, enabling players to see what game their friends are currently playing before joining. The player is able to password protect their custom games so they are able to pick and choose who has access, or keep an open game session and challenge players worldwide.
The Pro Driver Challenge mode allows the player to take a number of career steps that punctuate a fictitious rally career. The events themselves are wide and varied, ranging from car testing on one of the test tracks, to taking part in a rally with a part-damaged car and even going for a shot at the WRC title!
Returning in WRC 4 is the WRC Championship, featuring all the 2004 teams, cars and drivers including the Peugeot 307 WRC. Evolution has also introduced two new car classes – the Super 1600 and Group N4. The shakedown also plays a vital role, as set-ups can be modified and tweaked and then utilised on the coming stages.
In addition to all this, the audio engine of WRC 4 has been completely rewritten. This has allowed Evolution Studios to utilise higher frequency samples that provide both more variety and a greater degree of clarity. This also enables Evolution to employ streaming co-calls that more accurately represent the stages and provide the player with driving feedback – if the player gets a corner wrong, they can expect a suitable rebuke from the co-driver!
Thanks to the license agreement, Evolution Studios have been given unlimited access to the official cars allowing them to gather true-to-life audio data. This can be heard in the turbo, brake squeal, transmission whine – even down to individual stones hitting the car!
