Immediately apparent is that the game adopts a more generic approach as compared to Colin 3. Without the restriction of competing in a predetermined car, you are able to choose one of two championship modes– 2wd or 4wd – in any one of the given WRC-spec machines. For those wanting a quick blast, there are quick race and head-to-head modes on the side. Resembling that of Colin 2, there’s more in the way of car setup, servicing decisions and overall variation. Firstly, the pre-stage setup screen provides all the necessary pieces of information. There’s a decent surface breakdown of the proceeding two stages (detailing the percentage of things like heavy, medium, light gravel, tarmac, snow, and weather conditions), from a choice is made between a generous selection of tyres. Next come other aspects of car configuration including suspension, anti-roll bar, brakes, steering, and gear ratio. Unlocked items can also be selected for fitment at this stage.

On stage, there is a convincing display of the progress that has been made over the past six years. Decisions made at the setup screen have a direct influence on the performance of your car and how it interacts with the road surface (compared to previous versions, the behaviour of the car on asphalt has also been enhanced significantly in this version). Improvements made to the pace notes have also lifted the experience and, while by no means perfect, are probably the best to be sampled so far in the genre. The feeling of having reached the finishing line at pace and without blemish to any aspect of your car’s bodywork is hugely satisfying – it really does make you feel like a good driver. No sooner than the next stage, however, a head-on collision with a rock brings you back down to earth. Behold, here lies the game’s pièce-de-résistance: played on expert mode, this game defines the future of rally titles. Put simply, Codemasters have finally done what gamers have been demanding for years – the car actually gets damaged in a way that resembles real life. At pace, a single impact with stationary objects will cause significant damage to the car – loss of power, steering impairment, dodgy handling, broken windscreens, steaming engine, wheel loss, and even sporadic cut outs – you will come to respect and enjoy the unplanned (or otherwise) and sadistic demolition of your vehicle. Repairing the damage is enjoyable too, since the allocated time is never enough to restore a badly damaged car, leaving you with no choice but to continue with knackered suspension or loss of power. Never before has the threat of mechanical failure been so prominent in the genre. Coupled with other visual impairments, there is considerable challenge and enjoyment to be gained from this realism.

For longevity, extensions to the standard championship mode include additional vehicles (including the legendary Subaru 22B, Ford Transit, and Audi Quattro, although – unfortunately – these vehicles cannot be used in championship mode), and an ultra-competitive Group-B mode featuring cars with excess of 400 BHP (such as the RS200, Metro 6R4, and 205-turbo-16). Also novel are regular tests from where new parts for the car can be acquired. Mini games such as suspension and tyre testing, throttle control, and intricate gear change timing are enjoyable deviations from the championship. Aesthetically, Colin 4 does little to threaten the likes of WRC 3 and Gran Turismo. In fact, it could even be considered mediocre alongside many other titles currently on the market, which does come as a slight disappointment. Other niggles include the relative pace of the competition in championship mode – even on expert setting, times set by the computer are rarely adequate enough to provide seasoned players with a serious challenge. The replay mode remains sparse, with virtually no choice of camera angles. Also noticeable from this is that the car seems to pivot on its centre – a characteristic retained from the prequels – and is hence not entirely realistic to look at despite giving the right feeling in terms of control. Finally, die-hard rally fans would be disappointed with the relatively slim selection of rounds: eight in total, as compared to sixteen in this year’s championship.

From a reviewer’s perspective, Colin ’04 makes for an easy conclusion. In terms of its key elements, there is little to criticise. Despite some peripheral imperfection, this easily ranks as the best rally title currently on the market. Representing what might be the last under McRae’s name, its certainly a worthy and respectable tribute to six years and four titles of continuous evolution, and places the franchise firmly back on the top. Rally fans: miss it at your peril!