There are several ways of racing. Simulation where you worry constantly about camber and bumpstops.

And arcade where you worry about failing to completely total your opposition. Dirt Showdown nestles nicely in the latter.

A whole raft of racing types are available with many of them on, erm, dirt. And you take no prisoners here. Kill or be killed is the object of the exercise – not literally of course, just the oppositions vehicles.

But, you do still get to race. The destruction aspect is not all powerful – you can still just hurtle around the track like a loon and get to the finish line first. However, that will be seen as just a little boring, especially as there is plenty of mayhem to enjoy while reaching that chequered flag.

The Australians invented the word hoon for going metal in a motor, and Codemasters has taken it on for the back of the box. Race, crash, hoon, screams its headlines, which just happen to be in order of preference too.

Some may not like the pestering to get the game online, but you will relent and the commentary can be a little annoying.

Don’t expect a myriad of cars and events, but there is enough to keep you happy.

Good game, and we wonder what Dirt Showdown 2 will have to offer. If there ever is one.