DiRT 3

The main mode, "Dirt Tour", sees players earn reputation points in various events to gain the interest of sponsors who provide them with new vehicles. Flashbacks return from Colin McRae: Dirt 2, which can be used up to five times in any difficulty, but cost reputation points to use. New features include a "Hardcore mode" which limits players to the cockpit view (known as "head cam") with no driver assists, the appearance of rain and snow, and the ability to upload replay clips directly to YouTube. The game sees the return of many racing disciplines from Colin McRae: Dirt 2, but also introduces new modes and disciplines as well.

Rallying takes place on technically challenging, non-circuit, point-to-point routes. They usually involve staggered starts, and each driver races against the clock for the fastest time over numerous stages. Also during Rally events, a co-driver is present reading pacenotes to guide the driver and warn them of possible dangers, such as crashes ahead of them.

5 and an Editor's Choice award, praising the gameplay and online functionality while criticising some of the design choices. 2, praising the gameplay and presentation, although criticising the limits of the YouTube functionality. GamesRadar gave the game a score of 9/10, praising its impeccable gameplay though noting slightly lower structure presentation compared to the previous game. 5/10, hailing its impressive car design and smooth handling, while criticising the lack of dynamism in the surfaces and poor social features.

Destructoid heavily lauded the game's graphics, detail, vehicle types, music, sound, tracks, and online multiplayer, while expressing minor annoyances with the long load times and announcers. offering a tactile and engaging model that sits well across all of the game's many disciplines." Game Informer saw the addition of the Gymkhana mode as a major step forward for the franchise but thought that the focus on rally racing made the game's career mode a tedious one. PC Gamer wrote extremely positively, calling the game "dazzingly varied" and "relentlessly entertaining", while praising the rally handling and vehicle selection.