EA Sports WRC is on the way, with the release date approaching quickly. The WRC video game series started back in 2001 with the release of World Rally Championship (or WRC 2001). The newest game in the series marks the 20th entry overall, which has seen six different developers work on it. Codemasters is no stranger to Rally Racing titles, developing great racing games like DiRT Rally 2.0. Additionally, they have over 35 years of experience with developing racing titles, working on games such as the F1 series, Grid, and more.

EA Sports WRC Release Date – November 3rd, 2023

EA Sports WRC releases on Friday, November 3rd, 2023. The game launches for Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, The EA App, and Epic Games Store. The game costs $49.99, with a 10% discount for EA Play Members. Additionally, EA Play get a free 5-hour trial of the game when it launches.

The game only offers one standard edition, but EA Play Pro Members receive a special EA Play Pro Edition of the game. This comes with three days of early access as well as 3 Team & Livery Packs. Lastly, active EA Player Members also get up to five cosmetics each season, as well as discounted DLC. That means EA Play Pro members can begin playing the game this Halloween, October 31st. What better time to get on the course while kids come up to your steps for some candy.

EA Sports WRC Gameplay

The latest World Rally Championship game from Codemasters includes a new car builder mode. You'll be able to design your own car, along with many other vehicles to choose from. You'll be able to edit a car's Engine Layout, Mechanical Components, and Appearance.

A new Dynamic Handling system improves the driving experience for both casual and experienced players of Codemasters' racing games. Like F1 or Dirt, players can adjust their settings to find the perfect fit for them. Like previous Codemasters rally games, you'll be able to drive through many environments and weather conditions like rain and snow.

Perhaps the best part about the game is that it includes vehicles from WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC cars. Additionally, this means all the drivers, liveries, and teams from the 2023 season make their way into the game. At launch, the game features 200 stages taking place in 17 different locations. Overall, EA WRC's gameplay will have you driving in over 70 vehicles at launch.

Now, let's get into the modes of EA Sports WRC:

  • Regularity Rally
    • A mode not based on winning first, but by matching the average speed as much as you can during the race.
  • Rally School
    • An extensive tutorial that helps new players understand the game and its mechanics better
  • Quick Play (Solo/Multiplayer)
    • Play in your own, or online custom events. Different customization options include car classes, seasons, number of stages, weather, and time of day. Additionally, some championships might host both Rally and Regularity Rally events
  • Clubs
    • Returning from DiRT Rally 2.0, Clubs allows you to make events with your own friends. Additionally, Codemasters and even famous rally drivers like to create events of their own, providing everyone a chance to come and participate
  • Time Trial
    • As the name suggests, race for your best times across your favorite tracks
  • Livery Editor
    • Customization suite that allows you to edit various aspects of your profile, driver, car, and more

Additionally, EA WRC's gameplay comes with a photo mode that lets you take some stunning shots of all the beautiful locations you'll be racing through.

EA Sports WRC Story

Unlike F1 23's Braking Point 2 and Grid Legends, Codemasters usually doesn't implement a narrative story in their rally games. However, they do offer three different modes that might scratch that itch.

The closest thing to a story would be career mode, where players start from almost any point they want to. Players can begin their racing career in Junior WRC, Rally 2, or straight to Rally 1 if they prefer. Afterwards, you build your own rally team, and head off to work with your Chief Engineer and benefactor. The latter provides the team with money while also setting goals and objectives for the team to complete. Like other sports/motorsports titles, you get a calendar of all upcoming events, letting you know what you should be preparing for.

Additionally, the game does offer you the opportunity to re-live certain events from the past in the Moments Mode. This mode allows you to experience many historic moments that occurred throughout WRC's colorful history. At first, Codemasters plans to launch new Moments daily, and slow down after a certain point.

Lastly, Championships brings back Codemasters' classic single-player experience. Take control of a real driver on a real team and compete in the 2023 FIA World Championship. Like Career mode, you get the choice of starting in Junior WRC, Rally 2, and Rally 1. Additionally, you can adjust the championship settings to create a fully customized experience.

And that's everything we know now about EA Sports WRC's release date, gameplay and story. So far, the game seems to look and play similar to Codemasters' Dirt series, which isn't a bad thing. However, we hope to see this brand new series do something a bit different to set itself apart from the past. Only time will tell.

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