Dirt 3 - Xbox 360 - * * * *

Codemasters have a rich tradition of quality driving games going back to the seminal Colin McRae which blended into the DiRT franchise.

The third game in the instalment puts its pedal firmly to the metal and takes gamers on a blistering racing rush from start to finish.

Strap tight your seatbelts and prepare to hurtle through forests and bounce along mud-tracks on a hell-for-leather journey that's the closest thing I've seen to the real thrills and spills of rally driving.

The cars, scenery and all-round realism are mesmerising, with the rain at times pounding your windscreen and the tracks reacting exactly as you would expect to the conditions, whether it be snow, gravel or concrete.

This is backed up with very tight gameplay and a responsive control system that is challenging but, more importantly, enjoyable and highly addictive.

This is very much harking back to the good old days of Colin McRae and has the same feeling of being a true racing sim.

It goes one step further with the blistering realism and true breakneck speed.

Luckily, it also includes a very handy rewind feature that lets you wipe out your worst mistakes. You will crash a lot and if you want to master career mode you will need to hone your skills accordingly to really get the most out of it.

The gymkhana-style showpiece driving events are excellent for doing just that, learning skills and techniques in a fun mode that gives the whole package a different spin.

Plenty of unlockable extras and options give it some serious depth and it will appeal to casual and serious racers alike.

In a nutshell, though, all you need to know is that this is a solid, highly playable game that at times is really spectacular.

STEVE WOLLASTON