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When Gran Turismo 3 was released in July of 2001, as one of the Playstation 2's U.S. launch titles, it was hailed as one of
the greatest racing games ever published and a truly worthy follow-up to it's predecessors, Gran Turismo (1998) and Gran Turismo
2 (1999), on the Playstation. It sold countless copies and was even packaged with the PS2 for a while. It was truly the
PS2's "killer app." The developer, Polyphony Digital, and publisher, Sony Computer Entertainment, immediately set
out to create a sequel, not surprisingly. Now, after four long years of waiting, in anticipation, Sony and Polyphony have
unleashed Gran Turismo 4 upon the world. The question is, when GT3 is available at the local game shop for less than a ten
spot, is GT4 really worth fifty bucks?
The heart and soul of game, the focus, is what really differentiates GT4 from other racing games--and not just racing
games on the PS2, but on any platform. While playing GT4, the player will spend equal amounts of time acquiring, tuning and
upgrading cars as racing. This is a great thing for the car enthusiast looking for the ultimate driving simulator, but it
does somewhat limit the game's appeal. Fans of the "pick up and play" arcade racers might not find much to suit
their tastes in GT4.
Although most of the game modes that one would expect are here (with one glaring exception that will be addressed later)
the main focus of GT4 is on the single player Gran Turismo mode. This is where the real meat and potatoes of the game play
is found. Polyphony has included nearly seven hundred cars and fifty tracks in GT4--enough to satisfy even the most demanding
of gamers--and set these over a wide and varying group of events that will challenge even the most seasoned of driving game
fanatics.
Basically, GT4 breaks down into two parts: the single player Gran Turismo mode and the arcade mode. The latter includes
all the multiplayer game modes, split screen two player and multi-player LAN mode. Of special notice is the inexplicable
lack of online support. This was long rumored to be a part of GT4, but was scrapped at the last minute. Despite the quality
of the content that has been included, it is inexcusable for a game that has been in development for as long as this one has
to not live up to the standards expected of a release. It is certain that there will be Internet multi-player in a future
installment in the series, but that doesn't excuse the lack of it in GT4. Now that the rant is out of the way, it's on to
the good stuff.
While the single player component of GT4 is referred to as Gran Turismo mode, it is actually several different modes of
play. Included in it are the usual modes such as the license test mode, the single race and series modes, and the endurance
race mode. Also included are some new modes, including a mission mode, in which the gamer must complete some task within
an allotted area (usually passing another car); a special conditions mode, including the rally races as well as snow and ice,
and some other races with specific conditions attached; plus a photograph mode, which allows the player to take pictures of
any car in a variety of locals, and then print them with a compatible USB printer. In addition to all of this, there are
practice modes and various single make races scattered about for the player's enjoyment.
For those unfamiliar with the way that a GT game plays out, here is how it goes: slowly but surely. The game starts
the player out with twenty thousand dollars to buy a car (unless the player has a save file left from GT3 in which case one
hundred thousand dollars and the A & B licenses may be imported). This results in a pretty poor choice of cars at the
beginning, but over time and countless races, money will be made and new cars won. The beginning player will spend a considerable
amount of time earning the licenses that unlock various races and series, eventually working through the beginner series and
on to bigger and better things. Earning money in these early races is important, since there are a wide variety of modifications,
parts, etc. to outfit each vehicle. These parts can improve the power and handling of the car, or they can improve just the
look of the car. An example would be the wheels which can be purchased. Make no mistake though, these upgrades aren't cheap.
There is a lot of time spent re-racing the same events over and over again to get enough money to progress to better cars
or equipment.
There are a ton of things to unlock in GT4--some things based on how well licenses are qualified for (bronze, silver or
gold) and some based on winning races or percentage of the game completed, such as the endurance races. After completing
twenty-five percent of GT4, the endurance races will become available for play. The rewards are enough to keep pushing one
forward when discouragement might otherwise have already set in. It certainly breaks up what can sometimes become a monotonous
game.
Until now, all that's been covered is modes and unlockable content, which is all good and fine, but the real concern is
how the races are run--afterall, that's what can make or break a racing game. GT4 is no slouch in this department. Graphically,
the tracks and cars look great, making GT4 one of the best looking games on the PS2. GT4 also supports HD and widescreen
modes, although the availability of the proper connectors for the PS2 will keep most gamers from experiencing much of the
improved resolution available. There are many gamers that will comment that it isn't a giant leap from the look of GT3, and
they are right; but it must be remembered that GT3 is also one of the best looking games on the PS2 and there is enough improvement
in the look of GT4 to set it apart from its great-looking predecessor. Another high point for GT4 is frame-rate; it is smooth
and fluid, imparting all the feel of driving possible in a video game. One major point to be made in favor of GT4 is the
obvious time and effort Polyphony put into getting the cars to sound and feel just right when the player is driving them.
Each car has a unique sound and handles in a unique way that is noticeable on the track. This is something that is often
lacking in the so-called "GT killers" that are hyped from time to time on various platforms.
There is so much well done and right about GT4 that is seems almost a shame to delve into those things that could be considered
less than stellar, bad, or even shameful. Unfortunately, there are some of these types of things in GT4. The most noticeable
is an error with the otherwise-beautiful graphics. There is a strange flickering that pops up from time to time and can be
particularly distracting. This isn't something that is uncommon, so it is curious that GT4 was released without this issue
being addressed. Aside from the graphical issue, most of the problems with GT4 are problems that have plagued the GT series
from the very beginning: stupid A.I. drivers, lack of a damage model, easy to cheat on some tracks. It is hard to believe
that a player can win races by simply driving like a wild man, crashing into A.I. cars and running through S-curves because
there are no penalties for doing so. A damage model would have certainly curtailed many of these issues.
A word about the GT4 soundtrack: sub-par. It's not that the licensed music provided isn't good music--and it certainly
sounds great--it's that Polyphony has done the game a disservice by trying to please everyone instead of picking a musical
style. It is easy to edit the play list and select only the music that might appeal to any one individual, but after doing
so, the limited number of tunes available in any one style will get old quickly--especially during the endurance races. The
soundtrack was a weak spot in GT3, which hasn't been corrected in GT4.
To finish on a high note, the addition of B-spec mode to GT4 is a fine thing. At first, it doesn't seem like a big deal,
but it can really come in handy. B-spec mode allows a gamer to control the car from a managerial point of view. The controls
are rudimentary, but they do allow the player to control pace, when to pass, when to pit, and also to speed up time up to
three times normal. This is a boon for the long, boring endurance races. It is also a major bonus when trying to get some
money fast for that important upgrade or new car to allow game progression. At these times, the value of B-spec mode shines
through.
While GT4 is by no means perfect, it is perhaps the best simulation driving game ever made. Polyphony's attention to
detail has seen to that. The minor issues that have been addressed here should not keep anyone from immediately going to
secure a copy of GT4 for themselves. It is a game not to be missed.
5 out of 5
posted on March 29, 2005.
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