Art of Rally (Nintendo Switch) An Honest Review

[@lun_r]

Thank you for this review. It looks like a lot of fun and a must buy. I'm not any better at the racing games but still love them. Thank you for having the courage to post video of your mad skillz.

[@SwitchStars]

Ty Lun 😂 I am always happy to entertain with my terrible driving.

[@DihStyle69]

i played it a while ago on my friend's pc and there's no denying that the visuals there are much, much better on that version. i personally wouldn't buy it for the switch due to having already played it at its best but the game itself is pretty good and satisfying.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea Dih, Alex reviewed the Xbox version and it really does take a knock to the visuals on the Switch, but it still plays well IMO

[@amandawashington4239]

That little fun fact about Group B, had me pause the video and search for it. Turns out, I have been missing some great Darwin videos of cars and people. Thank You, as always for the review and bonus CHEERS for teaming up with SwitchCorner and Alex!

[@SwitchStars]

Yep they were absolute maniacs back then Michelle, that is the kind of racing I could get in to 😂 Yea I'm enjoying working Alex, hopefully we can get some good traction with Xbox Corner, I know it will probably take a while for his regular viewers to warm to me, but looking forward to the future of the channel.

[@KORNdog1986]

I know it's a bit unfair to compare. But this has had a LOT of visual sacrifices compared to PC. it loses quite a lot of its charm because of that for me.

[@SwitchStars]

Its the same with nearly every port to the Switch, Ive played a large number of ports and its always something I expect at this point.

[@StuartRobertM]

Looking at this game it makes me wonder just why it had to make such sacrifices. Yeah, it may have a lot going on under the bonnet, but if the Switch has trouble handling a game that looks as basic as this all hope is lost.

[@csakegybolond264]

​​@@StuartRobertMctually Zelda is optimized very well with a lot more detail than this game. However, I just think it's annoying the way the rally game handles shadow culling. Be honest there is more performance even in the Switch than this kind of messed up low-poly looks. The question is why the developer(s) do(es)n't want to be more creative when it comes to optimization. They probably just want some sells from the Nintendo Store but in fact they don't really prioritize it while Nintendo exclusive games like Mario or Zelda get the most of their sales from Switch players so they have to perform well when optimizing for the Switch. Actually I won't buy it for my Switch after this, probably not even for my pc.

[@TomMannCenturia]

I am terrible at racing games but going to give this a go I think. Looks alright on the switch (which is realistically best we can hope for tbh)

[@SwitchStars]

Yea it's a little different this one Tom, I'm shite at them too lol. It runs alright for the most part, some framerate drops but playable

[@jthomasaurus]

People always compare Switch games’ quality with PC or consoles. The Switch is not either. Once there is a dedicated portable version of the other systems, you can’t compare it to switch. Switch is portable first, which means you have to have some sacrifices. And honestly, this and most ports for the Switch don’t look bad AT ALL, just a lot of picky players I guess.

[@SwitchStars]

I think you should quite rightly expect to sacrifice visual quality considering the difference in power between systems. But if you're purchasing a port of a game you should at least be able to expect the same level of quality from the gameplay, but in a lot of instances, performance issues impact on gameplay. In my experience, a lot of ports look pretty terrible on the switch and though visuals don't really define a game, they do play a big part in making the world feel immersive and believable.

[@jthomasaurus]

@@SwitchStars absolutely! I just look at racing sims like GRID and MotoGP21 which both have incredible visuals for being on Switch, but both games suffer from incredibly long load times, glitching out in the middle of racing when too many drivers are on-screen at one time…I just see a lot of complaints about graphics but often times the Switch is running full power trying to keep up!

[@SwitchStars]

I sometimes think developers should not bother porting games when they're that bad, like when a game is running at 15 FPS and is barely playable despite its having potato vision visuals, I think it's pretty wrong to then slap screenshots from the PC version on the switch eshop and sell it to people lol.

[@Sabebo13]

Another great review, keep it up. I know you're unrated and will continue to grow!

[@SwitchStars]

Thanks 123 glad you enjoyed it, I can only hope 😊

[@prodoomer3166]

Wow ok. I heard it was a terrible port and didn't perform well so I had given up on this one despite loving these games. I bought absolute drift day one and still have fun with it. So other than pop in and the like it performs well as far as inputs and actual game play? Just want to make sure before I buy, it's kinda pricey for what is. Thanks for the review.

[@kailsdkitten]

Performance wise its great, I haven't experienced bad frame rate yet and I've played it a few hours. But the graphics do take a hit

[@SwitchStars]

Hey John, I played it for several hours and I noticed a little framerate drop on one of the Japanese levels but the main think is the pop-in and reduction in environmental objects. So far as gameplay goes I had no issues at all apart from me being a terrible driver.

[@nochannelson]

Thanks for review, think ill wait and grab on ps5, prefer analog controls. Definitely grabbing Rush Rally Origins this week though for a fiver :)

[@SwitchStars]

You're welcome JR, I assume it has analogue controls on ps5. Not seen that one, will have to take a look.

[@nochannelson]

@@SwitchStars Yeah the guy who made Rush Rally Origins "Brownmonster" (Yes im thinking toilet humour lol) also made Rush Rally 3 on switch as well which was well received.Definitely check out Rush Rally Origins though, at a fiver its a no brainer, looks superb.

[@mattdavis9601]

They're finally bringing "Art of Rally" to Android on the 14th. Woohoo! I pre-registered pretty much immediately when I found out. There's not yet a whole lot of info out for the Android release. I assume we're getting the Switch version because we've started getting a few Switch games brought over here, and vice versa. I can't sleep so I thought I'd pass the time by checking out some Switch reviews of "Art of Rally" and yours was at the top of the search results. This game looks pretty good. Hopefully, considering most Android phones are markedly more powerful than a Switch, they'll re-add some of the stuff they'd stripped out like the rain effects and extra flora+fauna ornaments. However; even if they don't, what's here still looks like it's going to be well worth the $5 launch price. Thanks for an informative review.

[@SwitchStars]

From my experience some of the mobile ports on Switch tend to have been stripped back even more from the mobile versions so you may even get a superior version on mobile in terms of performance and visuals. Glad you enjoyed the review though appreciate it.

[@cory7328]

I loved the rally circuit series in the GT games for PS. I really would love to find a good racer on switch that isn’t kart racing or futuristic racers.

[@brutaljustin1349]

The Rush Rally games on Switch are pretty good and run well. RR3 is a standard racer, whereas RR Origins is top-down.

[@Kraken54321]

This looks to be getting a physical release.

[@gibdo7995]

I just ordered it on Amazon

[@joe_newdawn]

Been looking forward to the Switch port for months so I could play it on handheld. Really disappointed with the downgrade in quality, and the Nintendo trailer using the upgraded PC version is really dishonest. Will probably buy it on Steam after all, but this whole ordeal leaves a sour taste. Shame for such a great game.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea you will find they tend to do that a lot with the eshop listing, it's yet another thing that Nintendo need to get a grip of.

[@joe_newdawn]

@@SwitchStars I would've thought the trailer was just given to them by the devs, buy yeah either way not great. Superb review though 👍

[@SwitchStars]

Yea all the media was likely given to them, but its akin to false advertising, the visuals in the trailer and screenshots don't reflect the quality of the actual product. It happens all the time with Switch listing and Nintendo should just dictate that publishers have to provide Screenshots and trailers featuring switch footage.

[@westlywilliamsemple3441]

I think I'll give it a go, thanks for the review

[@SwitchStars]

Hope you enjoy it Wez. 😊

[@MajorChipHazard316]

Hi! 🙋 nice review bro 💙 Edit: I've still yet to try it on gamepass. Maybe soon 👌

[@SwitchStars]

Lol, hey, yea I would give it a try when you can if you're a fan of racing games, its something a little different.

[@detritiv0re144]

The developers claim they are trying to optimise this further but this really is a shambolically bad port. Take a look at Grid Autosport Fast RMX Burnout Paradise Mario Kart 8 Need for Speed Asphalt 9 Rise Race the Future Inertial Drift Hotshot Racing Rush Rally 3 Snowrunner And ask yourself why these games manage to do so much more on the same hardware, Also check out Breath of the Wild for a huge open world full of grass, trees and dynamic weather and wonder why the same couldn't be done here.

[@SwitchStars]

I mean most of the games you have mentioned have been developed by BIG teams with a lot of cash, this may have something to do with it. But aside from that, there are a lot of different things which impact on performance and from my experience with the majority of Switch ports, the first thing to be sacrificed is visual quality. The game still plays well which is the main thing for me.

[@detritiv0re144]

@@SwitchStars Some of those games where developed by very small teams as well. Art of Rally maybe a good game but this port is still well below what I would accept. It's Hellpoint all over again.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea, I think when you have a Switch you have to expect visual sacrifices. I personally don't think this can be compared to Hellpoint, that game barely ran on the Switch and the performance issues made it nigh on impossible to play, this still plays well.

[@detritiv0re144]

@@SwitchStars I expect visual compromises. I don't expect games that look and feel like they're going to fall apart at any moment. It's enormously frustrating how the Switch always gets blamed for rushed or poorly engineered software. We are seeing "early access" games even though there is no label on the eshop. Incidentally both this game and Hellpoint were advertised with PC screenshots on the eshop.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea I felt the game was pretty stable tbh. This is the big issue with the Switch, Nintendo don't give a shit about the eshop or what goes on to it, and I have highlighted it many times before where the screenshots are not actually from Switch and instead pulled straight from Steam. This is something Nintendo should be held accountable for but you can't even report this fact to them despite it essentially being false advertising.

[@cray21091986]

Hi. Is there any option to change the buttons option? I have the hori mario kart racing wheel, wondering if it is compatible with this game.

[@rmr5184]

I bought the game on PC last year and completely fell in love with it. For that reason I decided to buy it for the switch as I wasn't playing it a lot on the PC and it was a complete dissapointment! The visuals look terrible compared to the PC version and the performance is even worse. Random fps drops make the game almost unplayable as yoh find yoursfelf giving inputs in a corner just to discover that the desired reaction comes much later! It's a pitty nintendo is not refunding purchased game even though they work poorly.

[@sarethums]

Whats the framerate like?

[@SwitchStars]

From my experience, decent, I did notice some minor drops on a couple of levels but for the most part it was fine.

[@hzafary]

This looks like a fun time!

[@SwitchStars]

Aye its decent hzafary

[@schyllic]

I read that this was patched as of May 2022, but all of the critical reviews seem to be from the original launch. I would like to see your review post-patch.

[@SwitchStars]

I plan on doing a revisit to some of the games which had performance issues at some point.

[@DJIdroneabout]

Nice review might get this

[@SwitchStars]

Thanks Gav, it's worth a play if you're looking for a new racer with a bit of a difference.

[@Armstrong321-x1s]

I just like classic cars- this is perfect!

[@cysteme]

i watch your videos only to hear your beautiful accent ^^

[@SwitchStars]

Haha thanks 😁 that's surprising since a lot of people comment on how I don't say words properly lol

[@FlowerAngelRave]

I don’t think this is really for me. I might get it on sale because it is pretty and it’s a different take on the racing game, but I don’t think it’s really for me at full price. But this was a great review all the same.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea I'm not much a racing game fan Flower, but I did enjoy this one, I think it was mainly down to it being a little different and having an amazing soundtrack 😁

[@fishfinners]

£20 is quite steep

[@kennycarter5682]

I been eying "songs of a hero" It's quite unique sounding in a literal sense. Are u gonna review it? Or too full of schedule?

[@SwitchStars]

That has been mentioned a couple of times Kenny, I'll try and find time to review it, I like the concept of it.

[@kennycarter5682]

@@SwitchStars I wish u luck. It's also seems to be one of those games that won't go on sale very often.... So be alert for that minor problem

[@SteveMacSticky]

Almost 10000 subscribers

[@SwitchStars]

Getting there Steve!

[@imp0rtt]

Is this a digital only?

[@NYCJoeBlack]

A physical release should be out in retail this week.

[@CinturonImpresora]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to play in on gamepass

[@coverdestroyer3572]

Switch doesn't have trigger on ZR and ZL so makes all racing games not worth it to play

[@SwitchStars]

I wouldn't say all racing games, Simulation ones yes, but arcade racers are fine IMO

[@coverdestroyer3572]

@@SwitchStars yes

[@coverdestroyer3572]

@@SwitchStars but now alot of games use trigger for thortle, but why Nintendo did not make that?

[@SwitchStars]

Probably couldn't fit it into the tiny Joycons, and it wouldn't work when playing with a single joycon

[@ppfclark]

Much love but criticism incoming, my friend...I think it’s easy to brake down racing games into: A) Arcade B) Sim C) Hybrid NOT CLEAR where this game finally sits itself. RACING NERD??? (love, love , LOVE Alex because he’s a... ‘ Long time racing nerd, come to love VN walking sim genre as a reviewer.” LOVE THAT! ONCE YOU HIT 50k You have to release a too Shovelware/Stars video. Plan it now, because 50k is bank.

[@SwitchStars]

Yea I'm not really in to racing games, I really classify games based on whether or not they have physics acting on your vehicle, Mario Kart = arcade. Like I said in the review, this plays like more of a Sim to me 😊 haha 50K is a long way off I have loads of time 😁

[@OrbitalShell]

Doom Eternal is on the switch. Who are these devs trying to fool?

[@AMathMonkey]

I really regret purchasing this game, even on sale. I feel that it's worth under $10 CAD, after having spent ~$19 on it. It crashes frequently during loading screens. The graphics are very unimpressive, and all courses in each locale feel the same to me. The linear progression where everything is locked except one single event is a slog. The "group of kids saying yay" free stock sound effect is already overused in cheap media, and in this game, it plays 3 times in a row after every rally, screaming low-budget low-effort game dev to me. There are no checkpoints or split-times like in any other rally game, and you never ever see an opponent's car. The text descriptions of cars feature typos and grammatical errors. The car handling is frustrating, especially once you get to Group B, where I suddenly can't keep the car from leaving the road or entering an alternating back-and-forth fishtail after each turn or minor steering adjustment. You don't have to win to progress, but I personally get no satisfaction from sucking at every event, getting 5 second time penalties from going off the track and getting auto-respawned right before I can correct my heading. I just feel like this game is overrated; I've gotten $5-$10 of enjoyment out of it despite paying more, and I want to stop playing now that I've made it to Group B. If you only want to fight difficult controls while doing time trials on unremarkable courses and literally nothing else, spend your money on this. I'm personally surprised that I didn't encounter a single negative review before buying. I guess I'm too picky, but I think my complaints are valid. Edit: two more complaints - the vibration is just like 2+ seconds of full-force buzzing whenever you make any sudden moves, and the fact that there are 8 camera angles which are all overhead is hilarious in a bad way.

[@adriano7838]

Arcade or Simulation?

[@SwitchStars]

More simulation than Arcade.

[@AC-hj9tv]

Great review. Thank you, based sir

[@jamesashton2291]

Do you think this game will get boring?

[@SwitchStars]

I think all games get boring eventually, I personally get bored quite quickly with games which is why reviewing suits me, I get to jump from game to game and spend a little time with each.

[@craig559]

Boss review

[@SwitchStars]

Hah cheers dude 😁

[@ryutenmen]

This game has heavy environment pop-up even on Xbox One X. So its not Switch's fault. The game is just badly made.

[@lcameron4802]

It’s the guys that ported it fault.

[@BOSS-bk1im]

The price is not worth

[@SwitchStars]

I enjoyed it, but I think it's a different kind of racer and one that fans of the genre would probably be better off picking up on sale.

[@REDspike226]

the switch still seems like the worst console for non-arcade-style racing games. it's pretty difficult to control the speed with digital triggers on the controller.

[@kailsdkitten]

Yeah definitely, but at least here they give you the option to change the sensitivity of the throttle and brake, which somewhat helps

[@SwitchStars]

Yea, there are a few decent racing games but I was playing CarX Drift Racing and found the only way I could do it was with manual transmission using the gears lol

[@REDspike226]

@@SwitchStars the only racing game I play on the switch is burnout paradise. and that's mostly to listen to the soundtrack :)

[@SwitchStars]

I like Burnout, I just enjoy smashing people up 😂

[@christopherluke1982]

Dislike because of creepy voice