DiRT: Showdown is a racing game in the DiRT series that, unlike previous versions, concentrates on short circuit tracks with the fans in the stands, a commentator, a more comprehensive range of vehicles, and action-based gameplay. The primary game mode is built around a tour system of events and races where success unlocks new challenges and provides prize money to purchase new vehicles or upgrade existing ones. Aside from conventional racing, many circuits are littered with trash, a boost is available, and other vehicles are frequently wrecked. Unlike previous games, the majority of the cars are made up. Actual autos can only be utilized in specified situations.
The four main game modes are racing, Demolition, Hoonigan, and Party. Racing events include traditional circuit racing, point-based racing in which a circuit is divided into sectors with points awarded for the fastest time in each, and elimination racing in which a timer counts down, eliminating the last driver until only one remains. The route is frequently littered with obstacles and garbage in this mode.
- Demolition is about eradicating opponents in a standard bowl head-to-head (Rampage) or on an elevated track where other cars can be knocked off (Knock Out). There’s also a survival mode (Hard Target) in which the player’s car is targeted by the other vehicles, as well as 8-Ball is a circuit race with many crossovers where cars might collide.
- Hoonigan is similar to DiRT 3’s Gymkhana mode. The objective is to score points by doing tricks alone (Trick Rush) or against an opponent (Head 2 Head). Smash Hunter is a third mode in which the car must smash through bricks of the team’s color while avoiding the others.
- The party feature is only available in multiplayer. It includes Smash & Grab, in which a team can grab stuff and must cling to it. It is destroyed when an opponent collides with the car. The transporter is a traditional capture-the-flag event, whereas Speed Skirmish is a time-based event where checkpoints must be achieved in any sequence.
The game supports split-screen multiplayer for two players and online multiplayer for up to eight players. It contains the Racenet social service for tracking data and a Crashback replay option for recording wrecks and uploading them to YouTube.
