These last few months have been very prolific for the videogame production of racing games.
There have in fact been many excellent releases in the last few weeks, and the last one in chronological order was that of WRC 9.
Il Official video game of the World Rally Championship, after several subdued years, it has finally returned to the levels expected from the official title of one of the most loved and followed motorsport championships in the world.
The new chapter confirms the excellent business card of the previous WRC 8. An excellent level of simulation combined with an ease and usability that also attracts less hardcore enthusiasts.
Will it be the new off-road racing video game to beat? Let's find out together the strengths and weaknesses of WRC 9.
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WRC 9: a growing present
The life of the official video game of the World Rally Championship he hasn't always had an easy time.
In fact, 5 developers and 4 publishers have passed under the bridges of the most famous Rally Championship game in the world before reaching this sixteenth chapter.
Since 2015, the development of the game has been entrusted to the French software house Kilotonn Games which over the years has implemented a continuous improvement of its works.
From the debut of WRC 5 in 2015 it was understood that the era of the WRC deluldenti was now over, and last year with WRC 8 the definitive leap in quality gained also on the new WRC 9 was made.
WRC 9 is in fact a complete video game from every point of view, which satisfies lovers of accurate graphics, super simulation driving and even those who want a game with which to relax in the evening on the sofa.
What cars and “tracks” are there in WRC 9?
The question may seem obvious, but in reality not so much.
There is no shortage of all the protagonists of the WRC World Championship with all the official teams and drivers.
In fact, there are the incredible WRC Plus, the monstrous cars of the highest category of the World Rally hidden under the guise of the small cars that we see every day on the roads.
Toyota Yaris WRC, Ford Fiesta RS WRC and Hyundai i20 Coupè WRC they are therefore present with the official teams and customer teams.
For those who don't remember what we're talking about, the WRC Plus are the ultimate in modern rally cars.
They have a 1.6 hp 380 turbo engine, 6-speed sequential gearbox, well-kept aerodynamics at the level of many racing cars on the track and, of course, all-wheel drive.
If it's not enough for you to impersonate Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak or Sebastien Ogier and whiz through the woods at 200 per hour, don't worry.
In fact, there are also the preparatory championships for the WRC, namely the WRC2, WRC3 and JWRC, or Junior WRC.
The first two are made up of different category cars R5, equipped with slightly less powerful engines, from “only” 280 HP but always with all-wheel drive, where official manufacturers and professional teams (WRC2) and private teams (WRC3) compete.
The championship Junior WRC instead it is the first step in the climb towards the Regina Class. This category is open to all aspiring rally drivers under the age of 30 who have never participated in a WRC event.
The used car is the same for everyone, and it is very agile Ford Fiesta R2. Equipped with the small 1.0 Ecoboost 3-cylinder boosted to 180 HP, the Fiesta is front-wheel drive only, and is the perfect training ground for learning how to drive in rallies.
However, the available cars do not end here.
There are well 9 cars that made the history of the World Rally Championship. From the Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione to the Alpine A110, from the Citroen Xsara WRC to the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, there are several icons of the last 50 years of the World Championship present in the game.
Finally, they are present 3 “Bonus” cars: the Proton Iriz 5, which is homologated for the WRC2 championship but was not chosen by any participant, the Citroen C3 WRC, orphaned of the official team and no longer present in the WRC championship, and the Porsche 911 GT3 R-GT, unique representative for 2020 of the R-GT category open to rear-wheel drive sports cars.
And what calendar do the rallies follow?
In this 2020, at the release of every "official" racing game, the same thing is always asked.
What calendar will there be?
In fact, due to the stop for Covid-19, the real World Rally Championship saw the 13 Rally scheduled for this year cut, and the calendar today consists of "only" 7 appointments, including "our" Rally d ' Italy in Sardinia.
WRC 9, however, confirms the beautiful “ideal” calendar of 13 appointments.
Therefore, there is no shortage of historic stages such as the famous Monte Carlo Rally, the Rally of Sweden and that of Finland, the very fast ADAC Rally of Germany or the Rally of Wales.
Then there are three highly anticipated returns, namely the Rally of Japan, that of New Zealand and the highly anticipated Safari Rally of Kenya.
All are reproduced in the smallest detail, and are made up of practically all the stages even raced by the drivers of the real world championship. Not bad!
Interface and game modes: there is something for everyone
The WRC 9 interface is a lot complete and varied, but very simple to use and understand.
Thanks to the division of the screens into small windows (similar to games like FIFA 20 to be clear), understanding the different game modes is really immediate.
And there are so many ways to choose from!
You can in fact choose to undertake one Career, participate in a Season, whole or "chopped" at will, take part in one Quick Match or do practice on the different cars of the game in an open track or in different "mini tracks" designed ad hoc to improve their performance.
Then there are the Challenges to improve and gain skills, such as those to learn how to "fight" against mechanical problems and adverse weather conditions.
The part multiplayer it is obviously present and in a rather varied guise, consisting of the game in split screen and online.
In Online you can participate with other players in a rally (obviously in parallel, imagine that everyone is messing on the same stretch of road!) Or face different and “rotating” timed challenges, based on real World Rally events.
Graphics and physics: a confirmation of the excellent work of recent years
Graphics and physics chapter.
If WRC 8 had already proved to be an excellent game from this point of view, the Kilotonn Games guys did not want to upset the good work done with this new 9.
The graphics are in fact at a excellent level of realism and detail.
Yes, of course, it is perhaps not at the photorealistic level of a Forza Horizon 4, nor at the special effects of Dirt Rally 2.0.
The gaming experience, however, is never subdued, on the contrary, often surprise for a truly remarkable level of performance of lights, colors and the cars themselves.
If you look closely (or from the screenshots I took while playing) you will notice a hint of loss of detail in more distant landscapes, and shallow depths in nearby trees.
But I remind you that in a rally game you won't even see the individual trees during the race, given the speeds involved!
Considering this not too small detail, the graphics are really good, and the things where the eye falls most often are really cared for like your car, the dashboard, the road ahead of you.
And when the weather conditions are particularly difficult, WRC 9 offers truly exciting views.
When you travel along a snowy road during a storm, or a forest during a storm, you are immersed in the driving experience.
The physics then does not leave you disappointed. Impacts with trees, bumps, bumps and holes are always reproduced with maximum realism. The damage to the bodywork is always well done, realistic and never too "exaggerated".
The car then always behaves realistically after an impact: you will never find yourself overturned for no apparent reason!
During my hours of play, then, I noticed a gem. During the Wales Rally, I saw a little drone fly close to the Special Stage track. I stopped precisely below him, and I saw a great care in its realization: a nice detail, really appreciated!
How do you drive on WRC 9?
Ultimately, on WRC 9 you drive really well.
Driving is tasty, but most of all it is "Of your choice".
Let me explain: if you do not have a lot of experience or use the "pad", you can keep the driving aids active and it will be almost suitable for everyone.
If you remove all the controls, however, the experience will become immediately very simulation. We do not reach the levels of the top of the range such as iRacing or Assetto Corsa, but we are damn high.
The thing that struck me the most is that all cars have their own distinct and distinguishable behavior.
The WRC Plus are incredibly grounded, very powerful and very fast.
Apparently simple cars to drive, but with which you have to be precise to the millimeter in the trajectories and controls, penalty… this.
The R5s, on the other hand, have less downforce, and are therefore less grounded. With them you have to be very gentle with the brake and when entering corners, and then take advantage of the four-wheel drive to jump out of the curves.
The care in the behavior of the individual R5s is surprising.
Developers they could have "copied" the behavior of the various WRCs and R5s on each car of the same category, and instead there are some nice differences, even important ones.
Skoda Fabia R5, for example, is the most agile, but its short wheelbase makes it more nervous and difficult to control if you overdo it.
The "rivals" Citroen C3 and Volkswagen Polo, on the other hand, have the longest wheelbase and if they pay for something in agility they are more stable and predictable. So good!
Le historic cars instead they have character, but they seem at times too… easy.
From a Lancia 037, for example, one expects to be afraid at every corner: here, on the other hand, the curves are brushed really well.
Of course, the speed is such that it requires the same level of attention as the WRCs, if not more. I would have expected though a little more than… death trap.
But who is surprising is Ford Fiesta R2.
For what? For the extreme realism of his behavior.
The sound of the 3-cylinder engine is identical to the real version, and the cornering behavior is perfect.
Understeer when accelerating, oversteer when releasing the throttle. Really commendable.
The level of force feedback and the sensitivity achieved is finally truly remarkable.
In fact, it is not excessive, too "heavy" or unnatural.
Force feedback is just right, e makes you feel perfectly when the car loses grip or slips, with some lightening that we also find on real cars in certain conditions.
All this was found on a steering wheel far from the top of the range, a simple Logitech G29, so… great job!
Single player game: very immersive and long-lived Career mode
Another pleasant surprise is there Career mode.
This is almost completely taken from the previous WRC 8, and this does not leave me stunned, since last year it was already one of the most immersive and long-lived Career modes in the driving simulator landscape.
In fact, he will play the role of a young novice driver, which appears for the first time at the World Rally.
You can choose whether to start from the Junior WRC Championship or from the "big" WRC2 and 3.
The difference lies in the fact that for the JWRC you will be taken for sure, while for the WRC2 and WRC3 you will be able to take a maximum of 3 auditions, at the end of which you will be "sent back" to JWRC.
In any case, the role of the player will not be just that of a driver.
In fact, it will be necessary to organize the weeks of work, choose the best mechanics, engineers, agents and even meteorologists for their own team, and of course try to win and climb the hierarchy, up to the WRC.
It will also be possible to choose which areas of the car to improve, which parts of the team to enhance, whether to participate in historical events to "look good" in the eyes of the strongest teams, and to try cars from other brands to "curry favor" with the manufacturer.
In any case, there are so many things to do, and longevity is assured.
Alongside him, there is no shortage of classic Seasons and Fast Rally modes, which ensure what they promise: play a season impersonating your favorite driver or “jump into the fray” as soon as possible.
Finally, I found the Challenges mode slightly an end in itself. Indeed, I found it a really useful purpose: to improve their driving skills, in order to be ready for any eventuality.
Interesting for me, maybe a little less for a casual player!
Multiplayer game: it works well, but it is little… multiplayer
Could the Multiplayer component be missing in a 2020 game?
Of course not, and WRC 9 offers some possibilities. But not too many.
Starting from the always popular split-screen mode for playing with friends, the Online consists of two parts.
The classic game Online Multiplayer consists of competing against different players on the same special stage, on the same rally or on several rallies, with a final ranking that collects the results in the individual Special Stages.
All right, sure, however, those looking for doors and overtaking will be disappointed.
In fact, in rallies, everyone runs for himself, with his times and the track all to himself.
So there are no lag, crazy cars or ping problems because there are trivially 4 cars running on 4 identical tracks.
Great for stability and usability of the online game, but it would be really difficult to make a game that runs badly with one car per track!
The mode Online Events it goes in the same direction.
Those who want to participate will have one at their disposal timed challenge on a car and a track that is the same for everyone.
The goal is to achieve the fastest time in order to be as high as possible on the world ranking of the Challenge.
These challenges can be casual or inspired by real world events, such as beating Sebastièn Ogier's real time in a Special Stage of the Monte Carlo Rally this winter.
Finally, there is also a part dedicated to the world of Esports. From this year, in fact, the Esports Rally championship will be even more important, and everyone will be able to participate in the selections, similar to what already happens for the Formula 1 Esports championship.
READ ALSO: WRC 9 aims to discover the rally drivers of the future, here's how
What if I want to play WRC 9 with the pad?
Although the simulation level has gradually increased over the years, WRC 9 has never abandoned its transverse nature.
For this reason, even playing with the classic joypad does not lose all the fine words spent for this title so far.
Certainly it is really difficult to be able to play with all the aids turned off due to the high level of simulation.
Those used to using the pad could do it, but it is much simpler and within everyone's reach not to give up ABS and traction control.
If you activate these aids, however, the guide does not become too simple and insipid, on the contrary.
The car retains the features I've told you about so far, it doesn't lose them with the activation of the aids, and going really fast doesn't become overly easy.
Very good: no one appreciates games that are too easy, they give too little satisfaction.
Particular defects?
For those expecting only a rose and flower review, well, they will find a surprise.
In fact, WRC 9 also has some flaws.
Meanwhile, there is some problem with the clutch. It almost seems that it is not needed, and that the gear changes have a predetermined speed by the game. No matter how fast you can shift with the clutch and H gearbox, the game will change in speed.
I realize that this is perhaps an aspect not even considered by many, but it should be mentioned.
I was not even convinced by the yield of tire smoke and dirt in some rallies, a little too much artificial and “pixel”.
Another downside to this game is the steering wheel.
What do I mean?
The steering wheel reproduced inside the car is not very faithful to the steering inputs, to put it mildly. With the steering wheel it is frustrating to see the movements of your hands not reproduced by those of the car's steering wheel. Fortunately, the game gives us two solutions: on the one hand, it gives us one perched view on the dashboard, really comfortable in the most excited driving.
On the other hand, it allows you to eliminate the steering wheel from the cockpit footage. Maybe a bit drastic as a solution, but it works!
For the rest, taking away the graphics slightly inferior to some rivals and the excessive ease of some historic cars, the picture is really positive.
Conclusions: simulation at the right point. The rally game to beat?
We come to conclusions about this new one WRC 9.
The new chapter of Kilotonn Games does not revolutionize the excellent last chapter, eighth in name only.
Rather it accentuate the positives and file the negatives.
It's not the most hardcore of driving simulators, but it gives a truly immersive experience, neat and accurate of a world as fascinating as that of rallies.
It manages at the same time to offer a high-level simulation and to be simple even for newbies or for those looking for just a moment of relaxation in a game.
The game will be available at first for PS4, Xbox One and PC. Later will also come the version for Nintendo Switch and, finally, also for the new generation consoles, PS5 e Xbox Series X.
Then there are so many cars in the game, the Career mode is exciting and long-lived and has the great advantage of the official license.
It may seem like a small thing, but the idea of climbing the world of rallies and fighting Special Stage after Special Stage with the real strongest drivers in the world really has another effect than battling against fictional drivers.
Ultimately WRC 9 pleasantly surprised me, and today he can finally fight with arms it seems with the Dirt series, in recent years too superior in the face of the potential of the official game.
On the contrary: if you love rallies or want to enter this world, WRC 9 has become in my opinion the game to beat.
WRC 9
For 
- Realistic and fun driving
- Long-lived and addicting career mode
- Each car has its own personality
Cons 
- Graphic with subdued strokes
- Clutch and gearbox sometimes unpredictable
- Careless internal vision steering wheels
