SimulationFit check
Is Dakar 18 worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Rally fans who want long cross-country stages instead of circuit racing
- Players who enjoy navigating with route instructions and changing terrain
- Groups seeking online races or two-player split-screen competition
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players who want short races on clearly marked circuits may hit a wall when stages open into large, unrestricted terrain.
- Players who do not want to manage navigation, sand, mud, rain and repair decisions may struggle during longer rally stages.
- Players seeking a broad range of racing disciplines beyond Dakar-style rally raid may find the five vehicle categories narrow.
Our take on Dakar 18
The bounce point arrives at navigation: the road-book guides progress, but the course is not confined to a conventional track. Players who rely on visible circuit boundaries may lose time before the weather, sand and repair systems become the larger concern.
What is Dakar 18?
A rally-raid simulation based on the 2018 Dakar Rally, with 14 stages running from Lima to Córdoba across Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
The open world covers more than 12,000 km² without restricting races to marked tracks or roads. Players select cars, motorcycles, quads, trucks or UTVs and navigate using a road-book system modeled on Dakar route guides. Changing conditions include dry sand, intense sun, deep mud, rain and river beds. Rescue and repair mechanics let drivers tow stranded competitors in exchange for repair points. The game supports offline play, online races against up to seven competitors, and split-screen multiplayer for two players.
How Dakar 18 plays
- 01Five Vehicle Classes
- Selectable categories include cars, motorcycles, quads, trucks and UTVs, with official vehicles and pilots represented.
- 02Open-World Stages
- The route crosses Peru, Bolivia and Argentina through over 12,000 km² of terrain rather than fixed circuits.
- 03Road-Book Navigation
- A route-guide system directs players through the rally landscape while allowing them to leave marked roads.
- 04Changing Conditions
- Sand, heat, rain, mud and river beds affect the driving environment during stages.
- 05Rescue And Repair
- Towing a stranded competitor grants repair points that can be used during the rally.
- 06Multiplayer Modes
- Online stages support races against up to seven other competitors, while split-screen play supports a friend.
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Dakar 18: platforms & release
Is Dakar 18 worth it?
It is worth it if: rally fans who want long cross-country stages instead of circuit racing. Skip it if: players who want short races on clearly marked circuits may hit a wall when stages open into large, unrestricted terrain.
Where can I download Dakar 18?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Dakar 18's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Dakar 18 on?
Windows only.
