Competition in the rally genre is at an all-time high this year, due to two rival rally titles trying to knock McRae off the podium. This year saw the launch of the excellent RalliSport Challenge 2 and the frustratingly difficult Richard Burns Rally. And let's not forget 2003's stunning Colin McRae Rally 04 either - it still stands up against today's breed. You've come to the right console if you want to rally with the best of 'em.

After two successful outings on Xbox, what can the third game in as many years bring to the series that we haven't seen or played before? Sure, the visuals look a bit prettier than 04 and the handling has been tinkered around with as you'd expect, but what's going to make you buy this game if you own last year's demon racer? The answer is Xbox Live!

For the first time the muddy gameplay can be savoured online in groups of up to eight. You can also download ghost cars of the fastest racers and upload your own. If you've not yet signed up to Live, the same modes can be played across System Link (again, up to eight players). But as in RalliSport 2, you'll race each other in ghost form, as the tracks are not wide enough to accommodate all the madness.

The handling of the cars has changed a little since 04. We were big fans of the handling system last year, and this year Codies has tinkered around with the chase cam to give the player a better sense of speed. In third-person view, the camera detaches itself when you fly round bends at top speeds. We have to say we preferred 04's handling, though the feeling of throwing the cars around is great fun.

There's also been a major overhaul of the single-player game. The two main modes of play this time round are Championship and Career. There are also modes that allow you to race time trials, rallies and stages, as well as multiplayer options for up to four people, racing alternately. The Championship and Career modes are both massive and will really test your sliding skills to the limit.

Championship throws you into a pre-selected car, pats you on the back and sees you off like a good little boy: throwing you into various global stages in a league setup. The rallying here is relentless, as are the enhanced weather effects: heavy rain really does mean heavy rain and the same goes for snow.

When you're racing an evening or overcast stage, it's almost impossible to see where the hell you're going thanks to the torrential rain. You practically have to use the Force.

The Career mode, on the other hand, offers an immense challenge along the lines of what we saw in RalliSport Challenge 2. There are around 23 events to plough through and, as you win the cups and shields, you unlock new cars and pick up driver points that allow you to progress. Each event dishes up different challenges by placing you in a wide variety of rally cars and demanding you finish on the podium before you receive rewards. You might be racing the classic Mk 1 Escort one minute and then a Group B monster the next that almost takes off on the straights. Even McRae's Paris Dakar drive, the Nissan Pickup-Dakar 2004, has made the impressive list of over 30 heavyweight models.

There's no denying Colin McRae Rally 2005 is a great rally game - it's every bit as good as 04 with the added extra of full online play. If you're seriously into the rally scene, you won't go wrong with the stable’s latest offering. Colin McRae Rally is still the king of the rallying castle. .

1. The massive Career mode will keep you in mud for months. This is one challenge you will not want to put down.
2. Looks great! It's not quite got the visual splendour of RalliSport 2 but it's not far off it with some cool new effects.
3. Feels faster than the previous two McRae games we've seen on Xbox. Makes the gameplay more exciting for everyone.
4. Finally, McRae makes the leap to Xbox Live. You can go head to head with up to eight other players.

1. If you hammered 04 and still don't have Xbox Live, you're pretty much buying the same again.

Codies has done it again: 2005 perfectly blends arcade and simulation to suit everyone's tastes/abilities. And it's Live!