WRC Generations Review (PS5)

good
key review info
  • Game: WRC Generations
  • Platform: Playstation 5
  • Show system requirements
  • Gamepad support: Yes  
  • Reviewed on:
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5

As a big fan of WRC (both the motorsport competition and the video game series), the debut of Generations was one of the most anticipated events in the gaming world this year for me.

The original WRC Generations was full of intriguing details, starting with the addition of hybrid cars and ending with the support for new-gen consoles. Because, let’s be honest about it, playing WRC with proper DualSense feedback sounds like a lot of fun (though it goes without saying dedicated gear, including a steering wheel, would make a lot more sense).

WRC Generations is in many ways a very familiar game for fans of the franchise. From the moment you launch it to the one you start racing, everything feels to be just in the right place, though developer Kylotonn has substantially evolved the concept the game is based on.

The career is without a doubt the one where you’ll spend most of the time. WRC 2 now comes with a management mode, as Generations tries to put you in the shoes of a full team manager, therefore providing players with a glimpse into what WRC is all about beyond the actual racing experience.

This particular game mode is developed in a way that makes everything pretty straightforward, and while there’s indeed a learning curve, it shouldn’t take too long before you figure out what you have to do it. Throughout the career, you end up discovering new regions to race, including Sweden (where your driving skills on snow will be seriously put to test) but also anniversary races with legendary cars.

WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
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It's a great way to get a taste of everything Generations has to offer, while also allowing you to progress through the career and therefore become not only the driver but also the manager of the year.

There’s no doubt that for beginners, WRC Generations could sometimes feel overwhelming. If you’re a casual player who just wants to win races without caring too much about vehicle damage, tire settings, and engine optimizations, this isn’t the kind of game you’ll like.

WRC Generations involves a lot of vehicle tuning and pre-race optimizations. There’s a lot of planning involved as well, and the more you play, the better you get at it. As you discover all rally environments, it’s easier to figure out how you need to set up your car, so the performance of the vehicle will get better over time.

And speaking of cars, new this year is the addition of hybrid models. To be honest, I wasn’t necessarily a big fan of this announcement when WRC first released the news, but at the end of the day, hybrids are becoming a more important part of our lives, so they should probably have their own place in the world of motorsport as well.

It’s not hard to figure out how to make the most of a hybrid car during a race, and the basic concepts have been implemented as well, such as regenerative braking. In other words, brake hard and press the throttle hard to squeeze every little drop of performance from the electric motor.

WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
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When it comes to the gameplay experience itself, WRC Generations has left me with mixed feelings. While the DualSense support is pretty refined, so the cars do feel heavy, especially during a rainy day or on snow.

The graphics, on the other hand, are far from what you’d normally expect in a 2022 title. I mean, most cars do come with excellent attention to detail, but the scenery and the crowds look, well, less refined. The spectators are sometimes ridiculously static and don’t seem to react in any way when you’re hitting a tree in front of them, as everybody just keeps making the same movements no matter what.

The co-driver is incredibly dull, and the remarks it makes are sometimes painfully boring to listen to. It indeed plays a key role in the racing experience, but the dev team has failed to make it feel and act like a human being.

Other than that, WRC Generations is pure WRC racing. Controlling the car is much harder than you’d be tempted to believe, especially if you care about vehicle damage, and being the fastest isn’t by any means easy. This is something I actually love about it, as that’s the essence of WRC in the first place.


The Good

  • Proper DualSense support
  • Complex management mode in WRC 2
  • Historical races and legendary cars feel great

The Bad

  • Crowds lack visual refinements
  • The co-driver is dull, to say the least

CONCLUSION

WRC Generations is unfortunately a game that leaves a lot to be desired, and in many ways, this will disappoint quite a lot of fans of the franchise out there.

While it does come with intriguing improvements, such as the addition of hybrid cars, it fails to impress in the areas that you’d expect it to shine, such as the graphics. The DualSense integration feels nice, but this should no longer be something to praise a game for given it’s already 2022 and the PlayStation 5 has been around for a while.

Should you buy WRC Generations? This depends on your expectations. If you’re a WRC fan like I am, you’ll probably end up having some fun with it, but otherwise, you’ll notice every little shortcoming from the moment you fire it up the first time.

A review code was provided by the publisher.

story 7
gameplay 8
concept 8
graphics 7
audio 7
multiplayer 8
final rating 7.5
Editor's review
good
 

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WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
WRC Generations on PlayStation 5WRC Generations on PlayStation 5WRC Generations on PlayStation 5WRC Generations on PlayStation 5
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