The formula remains the same, pitting you against the clock as you work your way through the winding country roads of Europe in the fastest possible time. The appeal of this racing spectacle is not so much the Gran Turismo or Formula One variety of weaving between cars and overtaking them. Rally racing is all about the visual ballet of a car's graceful mastery of physics, fighting for every little piece of traction in negotiating through dirt, gravel, mud, and ice. Nothing beats the satisfaction of a perfectly executed power-slide.

What makes Colin McRae Rally 2 so special? The physics. The realism. Many driving games boast these features, but it's largely meaningless marketing guff. Complaints like unbalanced steering, suspect collision detection, overdone brakes, and unrealistic gravity can be applied to practically any racing game. Colin McRae Rally 2, however, doesn't have any of these problems. This is one of those games where you'll really appreciate the subtleties of analogue steering as you cut a fine arc through every curve on the road. Colin McRae Rally 2 has the kind of depth and realism you can sink your teeth into.

Don't believe it? Play V Rally 2 on Dreamcast, and then come back to Colin McRae Rally 2 on PlayStation. Graphics mean nothing. Control is everything, and Colin McRae Rally 2 has it in spades. Even then, the graphics in Colin McRae Rally 2 are nothing to snuff at. Sure, they've got all the hallmark texture warps and pixellation, but for a console that's six years old, they are downright unreal.

The color palette and choice of graphics engine really produces a sublimely natural look to the scenery, with enough depth to anticipate your next turns. Whether you're driving from the in-car view, bonnet view, or traditional behind-the-car perspective, the game runs at a consistently smooth pace, portraying all manner of peripheral detail from mud and smoke to shattered windscreens and stablisers that have broken loose. You can even see the suspension coils slowly giving out. On PC, of course, the graphical component is strikingly improved.

The attention to detail extends to the elaborate set-up screens between stages. Every aspect of your car can be repaired and modified to suit the different racecourses. Transmission, axles, steering column, brakes, electricals and more are all readily customisable, just so long as you stay within the 60 minute time limit that your crew has to work by.

Finally, if the intense simulation modes of Colin McRae Rally 2 start becoming too much to bear, there's an arcade mode and 2-player mode to let you unwind. The technical skill that's required of the simulation modes is basically toned down, and you can participate in a fun-filled arcade racing championship against five other cars at the same time. This provides excellent balance to the hardcore value of the game's simulation mode.

Codemasters should give themselves a huge pat on the back. Colin McRae Rally 2 has surpassed a lot of expectations, providing yet again one of the most incredible driving experiences around. It's something of a shame that SCEE has snapped up the official rights to the World Rally Championship for the next few years, which means future versions of Colin McRae may have to make some creative cutbacks.