DiRT Rally is hailed for being the best in bringing the rally racing at the comfort of home through its hyper-realistic simulation and engagement which is way above that of most racing games. While trying to play DiRT Rally in its intended form with a racing wheel is recommended since it increases the level of immersion and enjoyment, not everyone has a racing wheel setup. For players who prefer using a `joystick instead of a game controller/re racing wheel, all that is left is the optimization of the control menu settings to accommodate the use of the joystick specifically to play DiRT Rally.
Thus this review will provide all necessary details concerning the process of playing DiRT Rally using a joystick starting from its compatibility and sensitivity settings and ending with the experience of playing a console game focused on rally racing. Moreover, we will mention some of its drawbacks, the ways of overcoming them, and the effectiveness of the control stick in regards to the steering wheel and control pad.
1. The Place of Joysticks in the Gameplay of Racing Computer Games
Most people would agree that joysticks are mainly used in flight simulators and space games, however in a game such as DiRT Rally, they can be used as an alternative means of control. It is true that using a joystick may not turn out as precise as a steering wheel but it will definitely provide a more controlled and involved experience than that of a keyboard or a gamepad.
To enhance the enjoyment of the game, mostly the action oriented ones, players are presented with joysticks that allow more than just medicine, for example above and beyond steering and braking skills. Since this is a game called DiRT Rally, where just a minor difference in steering and throttle percent can translate into performance on the track, it is easy to see why being able to control or modulate inputs is crucial. The control stick has an upper hand over the keyboard control in that it has a free movement component that allows for slow input rather than a switch that presses on and off.
Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that most of the joysticks aren’t built only with the aim of playing racing games. This raises the necessity of making careful adjustments and modifications before being able to play DiRT Rally.
2. First off: Set-up of Equipment, or Adaptation to it
As far as it is concerned, attaching a joystick to DiRT Rally is rather easy to accomplish; nonetheless, it is probably going to involve more tweaking than would be necessary for gamepads and steering wheels. DiRT Rally, like most contemporary racing games, is compatible with several external peripherals, including gamepads, steering wheels, and yes, joysticks. Yet, the game’s preset is rather ‘hostile’ to the joystick’s usage, which means that you will have to change the preset.
a. Joystick Calibration
First of all, it is essential to check if the joystick has been correctly calibrated. Most of the joysticks can be connected with their own drivers and calibration tools. Before starting DiRT Rally, it is recommendable to calibrate the joystick using its calibration tool, if supplied to avoid any dead zones or input handling problems.
b. Game Settings
After you have done the calibration of your joystick, the next step will be to change the setting parameters of the game. DiRT Rally contains a rich set of input parameters that can be customized such as sensitivity and dead zone on each axis. For example, the functions of steering, throttle, and braking can be assigned to axes of the joystick while other buttons can be used to perform secondary functions such as handbrake and gear shift.
Nonetheless, adaptive strategy will be necessary to achieve a suitable grade of sensitivity and appropriate dead zone thresholds. For instance, radial movements to project the required angle of the steering by the use of a joystick are more pronounced as compared to the use of an actual steering wheel. On the contrary, pressure and stress will build up in the driver and cause an upset – this implies that a movement of a finger to the wheel rim would make the car go out of the racing line and have nonsense control over it. And if you set it that way, there will not be enough resistance to make the turns and instead the car will continue in a forward motion.
You want to achieve that ‘balance’ such that you can make gentle corrections when driving on the straights as well as make quick sharp turns during the bends.
3. Important Areas to Adjust for the Best Experience
To enjoy your time playing DiRT Rally, you will have to modify a couple of top joystick setup parameters. Get ready, as this part will tell you about the in-game options and the game performance with their adjustment.
a. Steering Sensitivity
This is likely one of the most critical setting to provide any efforts for calibration action while steering a vehicle in DiRT Rally using a joystick. As it was noted previously, most joysticks are very movement sensitive, which makes controlling the car tricky. In the menu somewhere, there is a slider called ‘Steering Sensitivity’. Reducing the sensitivity will help provide more steady and controlled steering inputs which are vital in turn stages of rally racing.
In most cases about 20-40% lower sensitivity works fine but it varies depending on your joystick and how you want it set up. The idea is that there should be no oversteering with small movements of the joystick, while the capability of fast sharp turns should remain.
b. Sensitivity of Throttle and Brake
Throttle and brake controls can be as important as steering control and getting these factors right can spell the difference between making the corner and spinning out of control. In the joysticks, there is often a throttle lever or additional axes that can be attached to these controls. It is advisable to set the throttle and brake sensitivity to a level that one feels comfortable with and one is able to control their speed with ease.
If the throttle control is too sensitive, it will be difficult to control the acceleration effectively, which will cause tire spin under loose surfaces such as snow or gravel, or any other surfaces for that matter. The same happens with the brakes where if the sensitivity is set too high, there is a possibility of the brakes being locked and the rider sliding into the corner instead of making the turn.
Both the throttle and brake sensitivity levels being within reasonable limits is important for driving the car in different types of surfaces. Begin by adjusting the throttle and brake sensitivity to about 30-50% then experiment on different tracks and fine-tune as necessary.
c. Dead Zones
Another important aspect of the joystick setup is the adjustment of the dead zones. Dead zones refer to the section of the joystick that has movement and no action is taken. If applied, an appropriate dead zone may assist in avoiding such inputs that are generated from any slight nonspecific movements of the joystick.
For steering purposes, a small dead zone will be of assistance in preventing an accidental offensive steering especially when a straight run is being experienced. However, if this dead zone is exaggerated, it may cause a lag in the steering operation and this is not desirable especially when one is in a close and technical stage. In regards to steering dead zone, a good place to start would be 5-10%.
Dead zones for the throttle and brake should be adjusted as well. These dead zones should not be excessive as they will cause throttle and brake response lags which is the last thing a driver wants when going into a sharp corner.
d. Providing Feedback Over the Force (If Available)
Certain joysticks may be fitted with a force feedback functionality, like what you would find in a racing wheel. In addition, this feature can make DiRT Rally feel even more realistic by providing a more enjoyable sense of the car’s actions, such when it slides, bumps or other car related movements.
If your joystick has a force feedback in built, enable it with the settings and enhance the strength to a fitting degree.
An excessive amount of force feedback can make controlling the joystick difficult, most especially on long reprieves and most especially incase the force feedback is still very strong. An absence of force feedback, on the other hand, can produce a rather dull experience, as there is nothing to help a person ‘sense’ the road. Striking this equilibrium will serve to enhance the enjoyment level of driving.
4. Joystick Limitations in Playing DiRT Rally
First of all, it is clear that one can play without a doubt DiRT Rally with a joystick, but it is equally wise to draw attention to the shortcomings of such a setup.
a. Imprecision of Control
Joysticks just are not designed with that level of accuracy required to control a car in some racing games. However, most of the pushing surfaces does allow full control in about 90% depress range which fails to provide the necessary control required in advanced levels like rally stage driving. However, this is more apparent in the narrow and highly technical parts of the rally course, which demands speed maintenance without any mistakes.
In most cases, using a joystick feels unwieldy and inaccurate, especially when compared to a steering wheel that has a larger radius and provides better force feedback. It can cause great deal of frustration and errors when trying to do optimal driving lines and driving skills.
b. Humiliation Input Layout
Joysticks are built for flight simulators and games where control inputs are limited to pitch, yaw and roll. However, this is different with the rally driving which involves furious steering, accelerating, breaking and changing the gears – all these actions are not as normal as linear control of the joystick.
Depending on how the buttons of your joystick are laid out, it may be very difficult to come up with a decent and comfortable configuration for such important functions as handbrake, gear shift, and camera movement. Some players may find hard to cope up with this non-standard control system.
c. Absence of immersion
In general the use of a joystick is more attractive than a keyboard, but still not as perfect as a racing wheel. The reason is that with a good racing wheel setup one gets a force feedback, realistic angle of steering and an option of managing foot pedals for throttle, brake, and clutch respectively which makes it more realistic and engaging.
Plus, even with force feedback on, a joystick can never give the visceral sensations of a racing wheel thus making it difficult to have a sense of the road and how the car would respond to varying terrains and bends. This may tend to make the gameplay a bit out of place, especially for those who have played rally successfully fattening a proper wheel racing setup.
5. Positive Side of the Joystick While Playing DiRT Rally
Regardless of the constraints, there are still a number of benefits when people use a joystick in DiRT Rally, especially for those players who may not have a racing wheel or simply want something different for a change.
a. Less Expense
When it comes to using a joystick, one of the most striking benefits is, in fact, the price. They are a low-cost entry way into the craft as quality joysticks are usually much cheaper than racing wheels. For gamers who want more control than a keyboard offers but are not prepared to pay for an entire racing wheel setup, this is a more reasonable option.
For gamers who are still looking for realism but are more conscious of their wallets, a joystick is not quite as appealing as a gamepad, but is a significant step up from a standard racing wheel.
b. A Greater Degree of Control in Contrast to a Keyboard
This is not to say that a steering wheel is as easy to use as a joystick, but it is definitely more controllable than a range of motion offered by a keyboard. Because the input on a joystick is analog you are able to ease in and out of turns with the steering and manage the throttle and brake at the same time with great efficiency. This is imperative in a racing game like DiRT Rally, where in every rally stage the player is forced to change their steering and throttle inputs frequently, due to the nature of the stage. Whereas on a keyboard all the inputs are either 1 or 0, on a joystick players can achieve inputs that are in between those extremes reducing the difficulty of maneuvers done in the game that require a lot of precision, especially when moving the car in tight spaces or on surfaces such as gravel or snow.
c. Takes Less Space
Joysticks are relatively small in size and lightweight as compared to a complete racing setup, hence they are ideal for players with space constraints. Often, a racing wheel has to be attached to a rigid work surface, a place for the pedals provided and enough space to use the wheel cleared. By contrast, a joystick can usually just rest quietly on top of the desk and can be taken out or stored away in seconds when required.
This implies that joysticks are recommended for users who lack the room to set up a permanent racing wheel configuration or those who play in confined spaces such as apartments and dormitories. The forcesensing design equally facilitates easy mobility which comes in handy for players who would like to take their gaming system wherever they go or to a friend’s residence.
d. Special Challenge
Playing DiRT Rally with a joystick poses an interesting and atypical challenge which some players may find engaging. While not the standard piece of equipment used for a racing game, incorporating a joystick adds some useful complications that are exciting to the users. It is fun in its own way to learn rally racing using a joystick since one gets to appreciate the depth and intricacies of the game’s mechanics.
For gamers who are more adventurous and rather like to explore the extremes of gameplay, the joystick offers a fascinating way of engaging with the game. The increase of the thrill factor by more than one level in addition to that offered by a standard control system is very gratifying every time you finish a hard course or lap faster than before.
6. Evaluation Of The Joystick Using Other Input Devices
The advantages and disadvantages of the joystick in controlling DiRT Rally can be better grasped when the joystick is compared with other popular input devices like the gamepad and the racing wheel.
a. Joystick Versus Game Controller
For players who do not possess a racing wheel, a gamepad controller usually an Xbox or PlayStation one will do. The game controller has an analog stick for steering and acceleration, and another pair of buttons or triggers at the shoulder portion for braking. Gamepads may not be as interactive and accurate as racing wheels but then again, they are not that bad in DiRT Rally due to the presence of analog inputs.
A joystick may provide more accurate control for steering and throttle, especially if reaching for the right sensitivity settings, than a gamepad. Still, the structured design of a gamepad is quite beneficial since managing gears, hand brakes, and various camera angles comes easily, all of which are critical in a rapid race. Moreover, the way the buttons are aligned on a joystick can be quite limiting, causing difficulties in controlling these secondary inputs.
In general, a gamepad is more appropriate for those interested in playing games with rally racing, where both control and ease of use is necessary, while a joystick provides a different experience, more accurate but in an odd way.
b. Joystick vs. Racing Wheel
Arguably, the best input device for DiRT Rally is the racing wheel. An ideal wheel setup has accurate steering control and full analog throttle and brake controls plus it incorporates forces that realistically represent the road surface, weight of the car, and turning forces acting on the vehicle – this is called force feedback. A racing wheel’s force feedback also increases the realism of the experience and gives feedback that enables one to control the vehicle in a more automatic manner.
In contrast, when using a joystick there is no feedback and no movement like in a racing wheel. Steering with a joystick will never feel as easy and simple as turning a wheel and joysticks usually have a very limited axis range which can hinder the performance of the ‘precision’ move. Also, assimilation of pedals means that throttle and brakes have to be controlled with buttons or another axis which is less interaction and engaging when compared to actual pedals.
For those who treat rally racing as a serious sport and would like to enjoy DiRT Rally in all its glory, we recommend a racing wheel, that should not be a surprise. However, in case you have space or money issues, or do not want to be lugging bulky arms around, a joystick would also be a fun playable option, though control precision will suffer a fair bit.
7. Tips for Using a Joysticks inS DiRT Rally
Though it is never easy to master the use or control of a joystick in DiRT Rally, useful tips and tricks have been provided for you to help improve your overall gameplay experience.
a. Finesse the Everywhere Adjustments of the Various Gearing
Thus far, the effective seeking and adjusting controls of the longitudinal throttle and the brake along with the steering on the joystick where the racer would ordinarily be seated. Don’t shy away from making changes with the sensitivity settings especially if it’s not to your liking and doesn’t suit your joystick and your racing driving style. It is easier to begins with less sensitive turning angles and gradually increas, turns angles sensitivity until sharp turns and slight angles are both possible.
b Modifying the Dead Zones for More Control
If your car keeps going off track with very little movement of the joystick, then you should consider slightly increasing the dead zone for steering. However, when you feel that your steering inputs are taking too long or are not making any movement, then you should decrease the deadzone. Proper dead zone adjustment will help in easier handling of the car and fewer jerks during the race.
c. Remap the Controls Diligently
With a joystick, the handbrake, gear shifts, camera, etc., can be challenging while aiming at secondary controls where there are fewer buttons. Care should be taken in mapping these functions into buttons that are’ easy to reach and more comfortable to use in gaming. For example, one may want to consider handbrake button position as the ultimate button in terms of reach within the shortest time possible since it is necessary in strong bend and drifting thanks to rally racing.
d. Practice Makes Perfect.
Initially, operating a joystick in DiRT Rally will seem out of place and difficult, particularly to players who use a gamepad or racing wheel. The only way to perfect the art of controlling a game using a joystick is by using the joystick. Try to spend some of the time in the simulation experimenting with the different terrains, the different types of cars and how they control, and other track variables such as transition surfaces. Begin with easier levels and pacing then as you get used to the joystick, progress to more challenging levels.
e. Make Full Use of the Option for Changing Controls.
Another advantage of DiRT Rally is the possibility of changing the controls as much as anyone would want. Don’t be shy to use these options to help you modify the way your joystick works. Sensitivity or dead zones or even changing function of buttons, whatever it is don’t forget to adjust your controls to optimize the joystick for your usage.
8. Conclusion: Should you Get a Joystick then Play DiRT Rally and Why Not?
Among many diRT rally players, most joystick fans wouldn’t be that exemplary, but it could still provide an interesting and fun experience to people who enjoy such a challenge. The analog inputs of the joystick system also make it easier and much more controllable than a keyboard so players without a racing wheel or those with space constraints still have a chance.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of using a joystick. First is the fact that it is much less accurate than a racing wheel and second is the funny position of the controls making it even harder for one to try rally racing in particular on more technical stages. Moreover, without the force feedback, an essential aspect of the campaign is lost in that harsh realism that makes rally racing so enjoyable.
For players who want a racing wheel but also want something cheaper, less space-consuming, or just enjoy the thrill of using something different, a joystick provides a different way of playing DiRT Rally. But the individuals who are serious about rally racing in their games to get every possible thrill, it is clear that a joystick for playing is not a good idea and should rather be out with a budget for a racing wheel.
All in all, whether to engage a joystick or not while playing DiRT Rally comes down to one’s tastes, financial state and the degree to which one is ready to embrace difficult controls. A joystick may not be the best and most comforting way to play the game, however, it does provide a way to play through the preying levels of rally stages that are plenty and difficult.