You take these vehicles and race against the clock or other drivers along rally courses which are filled with different types of terrain, most of them fitting for the game's title.

There are four main modes of play: career, where you take part in all the game's different race types with ever increasing difficulty; Championship mode, lets you play full length rally events; Rally World, gives you the option to replay any of the events encountered in career mode; and online Multiplayer. The multiplayer side of the game gets special mention since its different than many other online racing games. Instead of pitting you head to head against other racers on the same track, the multiplayer works by allowing up to 100 people to vote on a course and vehicle, and then all race simultaneously by themselves continually comparing times as the race progresses.

The game straddles the edge of arcade and simulation racer. Vehicles control in an unrealistic fashion with the cars turning about a central pivot point instead of their wheels, which makes for flashier drifting and driving. However, the game offers simulation aspects through its detailed damage model that allows you to dent and rip parts off of your car, and even take out the engine completely making you restart the race.