The reviews are in! Dirt 2’s promise to offer richer topsoil than the original Dirt has unanimously exceeded expectations, even of the most cynical soil-lovers.

“Thank the tropical setting,” says 1UP’s David Ellis in a glowing review that opens with lavishing praise on the game’s true-to-life peat physics. “The lower canopy’s foliage practically drowns the earth in organic material. And that says nothing of Codemasters inspired choice to set later stages at river heads. Just wait till you see the colluvium deposits!”

The positive reviews were welcomed by fans of the Dirt series disappointed by last year’s spin-off, Sand.

“[Sands] sediments were unconsolidated,” said lead developer, Thomas Hutchins. “We learned from that, and what we have now are some serious roots in what made the original Dirt great: stems, leaves and fulvic acids.”

Hutchins’ adherence to reality with Dirt 2 doesn’t mean he’s not eager to innovate. “One word,” Hutchins says, licking his lips: “Mud.”