Dirt: Showdown is a video game published and developed by Codemasters for Windows, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. It was released on May 25 in Europe and June 12 in America as part of the Colin McRae Rally game series.

The player is entered in a series of tour events, which offer a range of races and tournaments to compete in. Winning these events gives the player prize money – which can be spent buying new cars or upgrading existing ones – and unlocks further races. Upon the successful completion of the series final, the next difficulty setting is unlocked, featuring faster opponents and longer races.

Dirt: Showdown removes several of the gameplay modes featured in Dirt 3 and introduces new ones such as racing, demolition and party. There is also the hard target mode, where the player starts in the centre of the arena and must fend off attacks from other cars, with more cars being regularly added. The winner is the driver who survives the longest.

Unfortunately, Dirt: Showdown delivers low entertainment value, especially when considering that the game is not cheap. It received fair to low review scores on most review sites. With its neutered physics, limited driving venues, clunky multiplayer, and diminished off-road racing options, discerning arcade racing fans should just write this one off.

A technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.