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Introduction
A very good looking driving game that focuses on Rally Racing with different game options (point-to-point rally, hill-climbing, ice-racing, cross-rally). The games have enough variety of courses and cars to keep you happy, BUT not the excitement and satisfaction like those offerred by Gran Turismo 2. Rally racing is different from street or tarmac racing games (GT series). It is NOT for everyone!

Graphics 9.5
The environment and terrains are AMAZING! I just love how the tracks are seemlessly blended into the environment. Car models are good, the effects on the vehicles are great, but it is STILL plagued by jagginess (bumpy, unsmooth linings) like in PlayStation games in a lesser degree. I replay races just to look at the beautifully rendered semi-interactive environment, and lighting, shading effects reflected so smoothly off beautiful vehicles.

Sound 8.5
Engine and environmental sounds are sampled and created very nicely. You definitely need to adjust the settings in the option screen to get an enjoyable mix of music, engine, and environmental sound. The soundtrack is negligible. The option to have your own soundtrack makes this game almost ten times more enjoyable. I have to emphasize that the option to play your own soundtrack is so great that it warrants the purchase of an XBox for me before, and it still kicking it for me.

Gameplay 8.5
It can be as shallow as you want it to be or as deep. That means you can just jump in and have some fun, or spend countless hours perfecting those power-slides.

Presentation 8
Overall, the game is enjoyable. It has every elements that make it a very good game. The menu system needs more work for sure. The unlocking and extra features could be better.

Lasting Appeal 8
Once you complete the career mode and unlock those vehicles (most of them you don't even care), it is quite hard to find any incentive to keep on playing except for the graphics and your own soundtrack. With Sega GT, Pro Racer Driver on the horizon, RSC will keep you happy and busy until then.

Closing Comment
Overall, I give this game an 8.5. It is NOT better than Gran Turismo. It IS the best racing game currently for XBox. With Pro Race Driver and Sega GT2 on the horizon, this game should keep you happy and busy. I accredit RSC as the game that inspires future XBox driving games to be made better. I do not get the same state of euphoria when I first play the jaggy Gran Turismo. My recommendation is only buy this game if you are Rally fan, rent it first if you are just a driving game fan.

I also had the opportunity to try a near-release build of this new rally contender. I must say I was mighty impressed.

Game wise, the controls are well balanced and exact, but yet easy to pickup. It's not like you have to practice for hours and hours before you can make that turn - but if you do, you will be able to kick out of it with most possible speed. This makes the game pretty much perfect for me, a casual gamer type, who actually enjoys playing for a limited period of time every day or so. As the time passes I guess you will learn to master those hairpins good enough to unlock even more powerful beasts (let me tell you, the cars you'll find further down the road in this game are BEASTS, we are talking 700hp Group-B cars that has been forbidden since the late 80's).

Graphics? What can I say, this is simply THE racing game to own. I have never before seen anything like it (ever). Yes, including PGR. Yes, including GT3. Think Halo on four wheels, and you probably get the picture. Particle effects, details in the environment, cars-modeling - all look stunning. Soundtrack seems sweet, fast paced and with 5.1 Dolby Digital support. This means that the effects really add up to the experience. You can literally HEAR your opponents catching up on you from right-back after that not-so-good turn.

A little sad that the internet-play didn't make it into this first Rallisport-version (I say first version because I am positive that we will see follow-ups to this title), but then again - multiplayer on split screen is somewhat a comfort. As long as I get to beat my pals I am happy.

Definitely check Rallisport Challenge out - you will NOT be disappointed.

I got this game for free with my Xbox when I ordered it off the Internet. I didn't plan on playing it much (I figured it would be a Gran Turismo-style simulation, and those aren't my cup of tea).

However, this isn't your typical slow rally title. It's an arcade racer at heart, along the lines of Need for Speed. It still has a focus on how you take the turns, but it somehow manages to make them fun. Your car's handling is perfect, and allows you to take turns without slowing down too much if you know what you're doing. You always have that all-important sense of speed, even when you're only going 60 mph or so. The course designs are fun, although it gets really hard towards the end. After you cross the finish line, you're awarded points based on your performance in things like car damage and finish time. Reaching certain combined point levels in the currently-available events unlocks new ones, as well as new cars. If you're into racing, I think you'll really like this game. I definitely did. Thank you, Digital Illusions!