Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Disappointing"

So I'd like to start by saying I am a big fan of the WRC series and have the last 3 iterations for the Xbox. I was excited to see a Vita version but decided to rent it first just in case it was identical to the console version - if only that had been the problem!

So graphically and game play wise it is the same as the console version. Graphics are good if not outstanding and the cars handle like rally cars should! Plenty of options exist for driver assists so even people with little "driving game" experience can pick up and play. So far so good.

Here comes the BUT ( and there are a couple of them I'm afraid ) - only half the number of rally locations and stages as the console version! Major downside and maybe we will get more later as DLC but even so......

Second BUT - No career mode! Now unlike the PSP version of Gran Turismo that everyone said there was no career mode when the reality was no STRUCTURED career mode in WRC 3 there really is no career. In the console version you can choose from Multiplayer, Experience ( pick a driver and either stage, rally or championship ) and Road To Glory which is the career mode. In the Vita version only the Multiplayer and Experience modes exist. So all you can do in the game is pick drivers and a number of events and race them.
Nothing to unlock, no structure and therefore no reason to keep playing it. I got 75% of the trophies in only a few hours game play and then got bored with it. Very disappointing in this aspect.

So to sum up, solid portable racer with good accessibility and great for short bursts but missing that vital component - a career mode and therefore reason to carry on playing!