V-Rally always looked great. Have the visuals been improved upon?
They have. The cars look sensational (some 600 polys in the one-player game) and the windscreen is transparent so you can spot both the driver and his pal with the map. Also, the scenery reflects off of the windows. This is really brought to bear in the replay mode where close-ups show the driver being jolted in the car while turning the steering wheel. Smashing stuff. There's also progressive visual and dynamic car damage. But like the original, the spectators look like cardboard cut-outs. Nonetheless, the whole thing barrels along at incredible pace with little discernible glitching.

What about game modes?
You can race in Arcade (any car you like), Championship and Time Trial - the usual stuff, really - but there's a four-player, split-screen option which is a first for a 'serious' PlayStation driving game. Despite the cut-down visuals, it actually plays rather well. Okay, so you need a Multi-Tap but even in its unfinished guise, V-Rally CE is shaping up to be a splendid racing game. The emphasis is on arcade action as opposed to being a po-faced simulation of rally racing. And heck, that's what we want.

Will it be better than Colin McRae, then?
Tcch. Dunno. Certainly, Codemasters set new standards with Colin McRae Rally but V-Rally CE is more accessible and looks better. With the wealth of circuits and multiplayer options, Infogrames could be set to reclaim the rally crown.

*A slew of circuits, a welter of cars
*Ford Escort Mexico, Mini Cooper
*Much better handling
*Stunning visuals
*Great multiplayer game