Codies is taking over the WRC license this year with EA Sports WRC, and the team has provided our first in-depth look at the title ahead of its Xbox Series X|S launch. The above video details lots of gameplay changes coming this year across areas like location authenticity, an upgraded dynamic handling system, and brand-new stage design tech.
On that last point for a moment, the developer has switched over to Unreal Engine with this title - a change that has "allowed the team to create the biggest rally stages in Codemasters history, with the longest routes now spanning over 30km." You'll have to keep your concentration levels up for those stages!
The new handling model sounds good too, with real rally drivers adding their own input into Codies' development process in an attempt to refine the team's tried and tested formula. This developer knows how to make a rally game — as evidenced by the likes of DiRT 4 and Dirt Rally 2.0 — and if there are further improvements here that can only be a good thing.
We're intrigued to see how EA's first WRC offering shapes up since it acquired the license from Nacon and KT Racing, and we don't have to wait too long for those results. EA Sports WRC hits Xbox Series X and S on November 3rd, 2023.