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YOU CAN ALMOST TASTE the grit in your mouth, the white knuckle grip on the steering wheel, the g-forces pulling you down on your seat as you leap into the air over a hump in the road. No it's not your usual commute to work on Auckland's highway but the soon to be released V-Rally 3 from Infogrames. The V-Rally series is a very popular one as it is renowned for its realism and the way it immerses players in the world of top rally driving.

Its release on the PlayStation was a great success and no wonder with a combination of realistic driving and awesome scenery to admire (and crash into). V-Rally 3 will see a complete rework of the game engine to maximise the power of the Xbox as well as some improvements to the driving physics. Other minor changes include wider tracks, live updates on the vehicles and utilisation of the HDD save function of the Xbox.

This game is no simple jump in and drive type game but one where your on-track results affects the overall morale of the support team as well. Fail on the track and you incur the wrath of the team boss. This added dimension gives a new sense of purpose in the game play and provides a far more immersive experience.

Check out the feature list:

• Driver and co-driver are fully animated outside of the car and interact with the team. Their results will massively affect morale and dedication.
• 3D scenes translate everything happening in the game to the user
• Drivers have to face their manager after the race. Depending upon their performance , they will win his praise or incur his wrath
• High tension between races. Car reparations have to be made against the clock in the service area and can dramatically affect the race ahead
• The cars are now easier to control and feel heavier without compromising the realism of the original PS2 physics model.

Check out the latest screenshots to see what we mean.

Show me the screenshots!