The history of the rally serves here as a classic career. If you start in the leisurely vehicles of group 2, you then climb into the cockpits of groups 3, 4, B, S, and A. In each group, you complete five rallies of varying lengths on randomly determined routes before gaining access to the next higher group. In the process, you unlock new cars and paint schemes, which are presented along with the different performance classes with a concise summary of their special features as part of the rally story.
Licenses are not available for this; the art of rally makes no secret of its existence as a manageable indie project. Nevertheless, all the vehicles and their paint schemes are recognizable as images of their originals, and the rallies themselves take place in familiar countries like Norway, Japan, Sardinia, or Germany.
Interestingly enough, these are quite extensive open areas, where Casu has marked out several courses each and where it can even rain or snow. As a result, there is a considerable number of courses or challenges that can also be mastered in individual time trials, with all results being entered into rankings, where you, in turn, compare your records with the best in the world and those of your friends. On a track that is probably determined by chance, you can also compete with other players exactly once a day, and a rally that changes weekly is also available for competition.
The design is not the only special feature of the game, because Casu has also paid a lot of attention to the driving behavior of the very different cars. Not only do they rattle amazingly convincingly over loose and tarred stones, but they are also so demanding to drive that you won't get far with "close your eyes and go for it! Instead, you should step on the gas sensitively so as not to burn a pirouette into the asphalt when accelerating at the exit of a corner. The steering also requires sensitivity if you don't want to be constantly off the track.
Art of rally is far from being a simulation. The vehicles have too little weight for that, which is noticeable in strangely long jumps, among other things. Also, accidents often have physically... surprising effects. In other words, the art of rally doesn't elaborately calculate the interaction between rubber and different surfaces - it merely imitates the constant slipping and turning in a way that is as simple as it is convincing.
Conclusion
What a lovingly made, atmospheric, and, what's more, playfully comprehensive journey through the history of rallying! Faithfully modeled cars rattle across a pleasantly large number of tracks convincingly, while you fight for the best times in the career, daily challenges, and worldwide rankings. Amazingly, the seemingly small game requires such sensitive handling of gas, brake, and steering - even if the feeling of perfect control over the vehicle is missing in the end and the physics can't always convince. On the other hand, you'll be on the track in no time, driving a few laps to cool synth sounds and enjoying the fantastic view.
