WRC 7 was the best surprise of 2017 in the world of racing games, and now V-Rally 4 looks like it will continue right where WRC 7 left off. We were fully expecting V-Rally 4 to return to the series' arcade rally roots, but after a few hands-on sessions, it's clear the series is heading in a more simulation-focused direction. That's not to say the game is going to be a hardcore simulation, but V-Rally 4 is shaping up to be surprisingly challenging.
BigBen Interactive has given us exclusive access to the V-Rally 4 PC demo that was shown off at this year's E3 showing an early build of the game ahead of its release in September. In our first exclusive gameplay video, we tackle a tight and treacherous hill climb circuit using the Thrustmaster Sparco R383 Rally Rim, and it's immediately clear that V-Rally 4 isn't going to be for the faint of heart. Like WRC 7, the stages are long and narrow, demanding full concentration and precise throttle control.
We also check out some reckless rallycross action, but that's just scratching the surface. The full release will also include traditional rally stages, buggy racing and "Extreme-khana," which is V-Rally 4's take on Gymkhana, as well as split-screen multiplayer.
So far then, V-Rally 4 is shaping up to be a thoroughly enjoyable rally racer and a strong return for the series after a long 15-year hiatus. Stay tuned for more exclusive V-Rally 4 gameplay coming soon.