Dakar 18 Reviews
Although I applaud Bigmoon for trying to bring this niche motorsport into video games properly, the end result is awkward and feels unfinished.
Dakar 18 manages to capture the essence of the test sublime, reaching a level of realism almost sickly, but fails in everything else. The fans of the test will know how to forgive these defects and they will find an adventure along 14 impressive stages, in which to suffer (and enjoy) like a true Dakar rider.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dakar 18 is sadly a misjudged game that can feel refreshingly different to start with but ends up being incredibly frustrating, behind the pace and poorly implemented. With a focus on navigation and gruelling competition, refinement of crucial gameplay elements is sorely lacking. Some of the environments are truly epic, but the way the game fails to build upon them means they go to waste.
. If a better balance could be found, then there is great potential here, but sadly, at this moment, the title just can't reach its own lofty ambitions.
Dakar 18 is a curious creature. It absolutely delivers something truly distinct in the wider racing genre, and though the core gameplay isn't immediately accessible, it can be greatly rewarding to those that take a chance on tackling it properly.
Dakar 18 has plenty of good ideas and has managed to capture what makes the interest of a rally raid like the Dakar. Unfortunately his deficient performance in terms of sensations is causing him great harm. This will only be bearable for true motorsport enthusiasts and this particular kind of event. The others will remain stucked on a rigid animation and a technical realization globally below the average.
Review in French | Read full review
Dakar 18 for the hardcore racing fans that are up for a challenge, rather than someone trying to have some casual fun as the the gameplay is almost impossible to master due to the inconsistent vehicle handling
It's far from a perfect game, with many bugs and oftentimes boring gameplay, but when the game does come together it makes for a splendid experience.
With more modes, tighter controls and more accessibility options, Dakar 18 could have been a really good game. But as it is, it's both horrendous and decent depending on which vehicle type you choose to play with and on what difficulty.
Not very friendly realistic simulation of the biggest cross-country rally, but it is real challenge for roughest drivers.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
There's some cross-country joy to be found in Dakar 18, but it could have been much more rewarding and successful considering the unique brand of rallying it represents. It is fun endlessly launching over sand dunes, hopping out of the car to be sporting by towing a competitor out of a jam, and finding one's way back on track after getting lost. Unfortunately, the fundamentals are out of whack. Vehicle classes are not distinct, terrain all feels the same to drive on, and both the handling and physics are more arcade than they are simulation, dampening what could have been a very visceral experience. The co-driver is infuriatingly annoying, his instructions often being confusing and ill-timed, whilst the graphics are not up to the standards of the genre. Many technical issues are also present, which reduces the sense of polish. There's fantastic potential here, but Dakar 18 as it stands is just average.
Don't let looks deceive you. Sure it looks swell, and OK colours are somewhat restricted, being desert and all that, but the textures are well rendered. Dust and mud stick to the cars as you race, very nicely rendered clouds of dust rise up around you but that does not detract from the fact that this is a game that just does not thrill and excite you like Forza 7 or Forza Horizon 4, in fact it is just NOT fun. It's hard, frustrating and vehicle handling, don't get me started.
Dakar 18 comes with all the official licenses, great track layouts and everything that you would align with the event, it's just let down by really poor vehicle handling.
When all is said and done Dakar 18 is a brave attempt at bringing something different to the racing genre. But poor handling takes away any sense of immersion regardless of the vehicle or terrain. There is a solid foundation to build upon here and if they can sort the handling out they could be onto something.
The experience is slightly rough and given a little polish, it may well have been as perfect as a Dakar game could be. As it stands, DAKAR 18 is a thoroughly decent stab at an underserviced sport that offers an uncompromising challenge for those seek it.