Dakar 18 (v2019.03.19 & ALL DLC)

Dakar 18 trades tidy circuits and forgiving checkpoints for the intimidating scale of real rally-raid racing. Set across the deserts, mountains, riverbeds, and mud-soaked routes of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, it recreates the 2018 Dakar’s punishing journey from Lima to Córdoba. The mood is demanding rather than arcade-like: a wrong turn can cost minutes, a damaged vehicle can ruin a stage, and simply reaching the finish line feels like an achievement. Motorcycles, cars, trucks, quads, and UTVs all bring distinct handling challenges to the event.

Navigation sits at the heart of every race. Instead of following a glowing racing line, players interpret a road book, compass headings, landmarks, and distance notes while crossing a vast open landscape with few restrictions on where to drive. Stages reward careful route planning as much as outright speed, while changing weather and time of day turn dry dunes into treacherous terrain and rain into deep mud or dangerous river crossings. Vehicle damage matters, repairs are limited, and stopping to tow a stranded rival can earn valuable repair points for later. Solo play supports full rally stages and free roaming, while online races allow up to eight competitors and local split-screen offers a more casual way to test routes with a friend.

Its strongest idea is the willingness to make racers feel genuinely lost. Satellite-informed terrain, enormous distances, and the road-book system create an experience closer to off-road orienteering than conventional racing, with every successful waypoint carrying real relief. The presentation and driving physics can feel rough around the edges, and newcomers should expect a steep learning curve rather than instant thrills. Players who enjoy the patience and navigation focus of SnowRunner, the open terrain of Fuel, or serious rally simulations will find a distinctive, tense motorsport challenge here; arcade-racing fans may find its deliberate pace frustrating.