WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship
The WRC championship is the most challenging motor racing competition in the world.
With the new dynamic weather system, climatic conditions have true-to-life effects: rain and snowfall is now an important game feature as variable traction, different set-ups for each stage, tyre choice and shrewd use of the weather forecasting team all need to be considered.
The single-player Career mode has been rebuilt from the ground up: calendar management, R&D to improve performance, staff recruitment and management (mechanics, engineers, medical and weather teams, finance manager, etc.).
For multiplayer, weekly challenges and WRC eSports return, but the challenge and competition is now even stiffer.
With 50 teams, 14 rallies and over 100 special stages in the 2019 season, WRC 8 has the deepest content ever included in an off-road racing game.
Game Discussion
Steam User 9
After playing both WRC10 & WRC8 here are the main differences.
1. BIG plus for WRC8. All advanced vehicle setups have a proper explanation as to what they do. This is missing from WRC10 and was a major oversite. So many posts, internet sites etc players want to know. There was even a petition sent to the Dev and Publisher requesting this. They couldn't be bothered.
2. WRC8 is easier than WRC10. They both have sim "feeling," but WRC10 seems more difficult and more realistic. However, this is my subjective opinion.
3. The graphics are only marginally better in WRC10.
The layout of career mode, and others hasn't changed. Not a bad thing, except the advanced tuning is differerent in WRC10, and it takes trial and error on test tracks just to figure out which each setting does. They are simply presented as a whole lot of numbers in WRC10. I find this really odd. Is it by design? Or is it just lazyness that this wasn't added. Should have been there at the beginning.
4. Which is the better game? I have to go with WRC10. Except missing info (above) it's more polished. Feels like a really decent "sim." Looks somewhat better with no glitches, and has a lot more content. It's the complete package.
Finally, WRC8 is an older game and far fewer people still play it. It has a few sound glitches and overall just feels a bit dated. Not surprising considering it is an older game:
We have WRC9 WRC10 WRC Generations, and the latest EA WRC Sports, with a large expansion added (paid usually unless a sale) released in 2024.
The latest game, EA WRC Sports plus its substantial expansion were developed for the first time by Codemasters. The same devs as made the excellent Dirt Rally and Dirt Rally 2.
There isn't much reason to buy WRC8 in 2025 mainly because there are Four newer, and overall better games.
Sadly, WRC development has stopped according to EA, so the latest game, developed by Codemasters, released in 2023 with big, "hard chargers pack DLC added in 2024 is the last one, ever! It has a lot of content though.
So that's a sum up of my opinion. Others will differ.
BTW I played around 900 hours of Dirt Rally 2, a huge game, and several hundred of it's original sim Rally game, Simply callerd Dirt Rally. Still a great game, the only reason not to get it would be the huge amount of content in the 2019 Dirt Rally 2.
Steam User 6
Still a very solid entry in the WRC series, great scenary and weather effects coupled with some interesting (although simple) career management features and crew roster management. A solid overall car selection, with a generally satisfactory career mode. Will definitely revisit it in the future!
Quite enjoyable and easily controlled on KB+M.
Steam User 4
Great game suitable for controllers and Steam Deck!
Steam User 10
As someone who own WRC 7, WRC 9, WRC Generation, and have tried WRC 10.
WRC 8 have the most complex & distinct car physics that I would assume more comparable to real world rally (as long as you don't encounter bug in the track on your rally run).
WRC 7 felt too grounded even when you do hairpin or 90 degree turn, it shouldn't be that way for rally car even if you're on asphalt.
WRC 9 have unnecesary slippiness even on asphalt which is a no-no as a rally sim, every dry weather the car feel like driving on a short rain shower track, driving on wet track almost on point.
WRC 10 felt much better compared to WRC 9 but with a throttle bug, makes the car hard to control if played normally.
WRC Generation is just WRC 10 with much more tracks & visual upgrade, but the car physics like WRC 9 turned up to 11, you need to always anticipate much more earlier, not good, it's close to fine as a playable rally sim.
Steam User 2
This game works great for any rally fan, I started it on medium difficulty, as that is the way I start any game, and I really enjoyed it for the challenges it offered. But if you are even more of a casual player who just wants some fun, I highly recommend the EASY setting. I used it for achievements and it shocked me how arcade it felt (not in a bad way). It was really just driving and having fun. I also have to thank Jagger4yk for the russian guide he made on the hardest achievement.
Steam User 9
very forgiving but the co driver wants to kill us both
Steam User 1
WRC 8 is a big step forwards from the previous title. Weather effects, stages, car handling - everything has become much better. A fresh career mode has been amazing so far. There's a lot to do in it, and so far I've been enjoying it a lot. I can't wait to get to become a WRC driver and try all of the stages in the game. I haven't noticed any major issues with the game. For me, it's a solid 8.5 out 10.