Codemasters regained the WRC license in 2020, leading to the development of EA Sports WRC as a sequel to Dirt Rally 2.0. Electronic Arts published the game after acquiring Codemasters in 2021. The game marks a shift in engine for Codemasters, moving from the Ego engine to Unreal Engine 4. Professional rally driver Jon Armstrong contributed to the game’s development as a game designer.
The game launched with three different cover cars: the Ford Puma Rally1 for PC players, the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 for Xbox players, and the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 for PlayStation 5 players.
EA Sports WRC features cars from across the history of the World Rally Championship, with 78 cars in total. These include three Rally1 vehicles – the Puma of M-Sport, the i20 N of Hyundai, and the GR Yaris of Toyota – alongside cars from the World Rally Championship-2 and Junior World Rally Championship, such as the Ford Fiesta Rally3. Sixty-eight classic rally cars are also included. The game includes a “Car Builder” feature, allowing players to create and customise their own rally cars. Players can compete on over 200 competition stages across 18 WRC rallies. Multiplayer is available for up to 32 players across platforms. Virtual reality mode is planned for future implementation.
The game offers several modes, including Championship, Time Trial, Multiplayer, and Quick Play. New modes include Rally School, which teaches players the skills required to drive a rally car at high speed, and Moments, where players recreate iconic moments from rallying history. Clubs are player-run leagues. Regularity Rally is a mode focused on hitting an average speed and time rather than going as fast as possible.
The game's handling model is praised for its realism and feel, with excellent force feedback that is an improvement over Dirt Rally 2.0. The game balances simulation and immersion, though the tarmac model is noted as needing work. Graphics issues, particularly frame-rate drops on PC, were present at launch. The rally stages are described as treacherous, narrow, and true to the real thing.
For beginners, the Rally School is recommended as the starting point. The game accommodates players of all skill levels, with an approachable handling system that can be enjoyed with a wheel, gamepad, or keyboard. Pace Notes are a key aspect of rally driving, with the co-driver providing information on turn tightness, direction, and modifiers. A Simplified Pace Notes option is available for easier instructions. The Junior WRC class, featuring cars like the Ford Fiesta Rally3, is recommended for new players due to its manageable speed and all-wheel-drive nature. Assists such as Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Stability Control, and Automatic Gear shifting are available to help ease players into the game. Understanding weight transfer is a fundamental driving technique, influencing grip and car behavior. Understeer and oversteer are key factors to be aware of, with rally cars often set up for slight oversteer, which can be controlled with counter-steering.
A major expansion, EA Sports WRC 24, was released as downloadable content on October 8, 2024, featuring the official 2024 season cars and two new rally locations: Rally Latvia and Rally Poland. In May 2025, Codemasters announced they had ceased development on future WRC titles, making EA Sports WRC the sole title produced under the license.
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