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 While
I have to admit that Gran Turismo 4 is by far the
best of the GT series, and also one of the best racing
games on the market, it's still just a racing game.
Sure it may be "the" racing game but it's
still "just" a racing game. It doesn't cover
any new ground - literally.
GT4
is a highly refined version of GT3. Virtually every
aspect of this game has been painstakingly overhauled
and refined. It's the ultimate version of GT3, but
it fails to find its own identity as GT4. Of course
this all means nothing if you've never played a GT
game before. Taken for face value, GT4 is nothing
short of brilliant even if we have seen it all before
- we've just never seen it look so good.
With
some 50 tracks, more than 700 vehicles and plenty
of modes and challenges, GT4 mixes up the gameplay
and offers countless hours of racing thrills. The
graphics are absolutely stunning. I've never seen
a better looking racing game on the PS2. The cars
don't just shine and reflect like high polished, glossy
plastic, they look exactly as you would expect them
to in real life with lots of metal, chrome and glass.
There's a mode in which you can take photos of your
vehicles. You have to look real close to tell the
images apart from real photos.
 Realism
is the name of the game, although there is an arcade
mode for those times you just want some fast, reckless
fun. The physics is nearly perfect and the cars handle
great. Every bump, turn, curb and surface irregularity
affects your performance. You can use the controller
to great effect but if you really want to exploit
the feel of the game you may want to look into the
Driving Force Pro steering wheel. It's not perfect
but it's an improvement over the controller. The 900-degree
rotation causes for excessive steering movement which
can cause you to miss some sharp turns. It's too bad
the wheel's rotation isn't configurable to make it
tighter. It also cost a fair bit of money so you would
be advised to try it out before you buy it.
Races
become increasingly more difficult as they get faster,
requiring more powerful vehicles. The AI still needs
work to keep things more realistic and challenging.
As usual they tend to slow down around turns allowing
you to take advantage and pass them. They also follow
a predetermined path which is evident as they smash
into other cars that are stopped along the track and
make no attempt to veer to avoid the impact. The licensed
vehicles don't display damage nor is the performance
compromised by any implied damage.
 One
of the biggest disappointments is that the online
modes have been forsaken. It was announced years ago
that this fourth version would include online modes
and that was something that I and probably a few hundred
thousands gamers were looking forward to. Apparently
the online mode was not perfected enough to be included
in this version. It's due for release later this year.
I don't want to sound pessimistic but I don't really
feel like dishing out another $50 for a component
that should have been included in this version. How
convenient that this game is going to be made into
a two-part series, considering that this version is
an improved version of the third installment.
HDTV
users will benefit the most from the graphics. They
are sharp, clean and colorful. The tracks have been
revisited and are more realistic than ever as every
bump, turn, tree, wall and texture has been recreated
to a degree of perfection not seen on this system.
The surround sound further envelops you as you can
hear the tires rumble on the ground, the wind rush
past you and the scream of an aggressive vehicle as
it attempts to overtake you on either side.
I
should add that you can play this game via LAN but
it's such a pain in the arse to organize as opposed
to just going online. The two-player mode is fun and
satisfying but there's no substitute for an entire
course of human-controlled vehicles. Perhaps if the
AI were better programmed you wouldn't miss the human
interaction so much. The single-player races are more
about negotiating the tracks for the best time as
opposed to competing against other racers. It's easy
to figure out the AI after replaying a course a few
times. After a while they just seem to be in the way.
You're
probably going to hear a lot about this game if you're
into racing. If you're not a hardcore race fan, and
you already own GT3, I would advise renting this first
to see if enhancements are worthy of a purchase. You
might want to wait until the release of the online
version.
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 Gran
Turismo may just be the best-known racing series out
there for the PS2. A few may argue this fact yet without
this series many of the other popular racing games we
have come to love may have never been made. The GT series
has evolved into a "gear heads" dream. Each
game has brought new things and pushed the limits of
the system with the graphics and the options available
to the racing fans. It is true that the GT series is
not for every racing fan. This may be due to the fact
you need to tune and change major things with the cars.
You either need to have some knowledge of automotives
or get the strategy guide to do well. Sony has decided
to push the limits once again in the graphics department
while adding a new B-Spec mode (more on this later in
the preview). It is no secret Sony is way behind the
slated release date and the game will now be released
in early December. It is also true that due to several
problems during testing, the game will not feature an
online mode according to the last announcement at the
Tokyo Game show.
I
understand fans of the series wanted an online mode.
Sony is promising either to release an updated expansion
disc or another game just for online play early in
2005. Sony has also suffered a few set backs with
the new modes and the B-Spec mode. In case you have
not heard, B-Spec is going to be a brand new mode
where players can opt to let the CPU drive the event
while still offering the gamer choices to make during
the event. This new style will do 2 major things.
First, it will make the game less intimidating to
those who are not very familiar with gear ratios and
other parts of a racing car. Secondly, it will add
a mode that will allow the more experience players
to sit back and act as the pit captain so to speak
while bypassing some of the easier events for the
more experienced with the game. In the B-Spec mode
the CPU will actually make mistakes like a human driver.
Players will follow the action through several cameras
or as Sony is calling it the Racing Monitor. When
your racer makes a mistake, you can tell the driver
a list of commands and the CPU driver will listen
and adjust to the style or instructions you just gave
them. I am very interesting in seeing this in action
for myself. Sony also has a few other things in mind
and has not released a full list of features. Sony
has not been giving out press material and it may
be due to the problems they have encountered while
making this one.
 Graphically,
the game looks amazing and will certainly run smooth
while offering the racing fan a very realistic look
and feel. GT4 will have a staggering 50+ tracks and
over 300 camera positions. They are also making the
game to work with most steering wheels out now in
the stores. With Fans can expect the same great sound
effects and even more added in GT4. I have read rumors
that the game is not shipping and Sony does not want
to announce this. I can assure you this was started
by someone and spread like most rumors out there.
Yes Sony has had trouble with certain modes and there
have been delays. It happens every day with many games
being made. The only reason you may hear about it
in this case is that the GT series is popular and
many are waiting to get there hands on it.
Take
a look at the screen shots and you will see the detailed
and polished graphics. If Sony releases any confirmed
features or new modes, we will update the preview.
It looks like Sony is adding options that will allow
you to learn while still having fun. Sony looks to
have a solid game here even though it may not have
the online mode, but I am betting this one will have
big sales during the Christmas season.
Press:
The
biggest initial difference you'll notice between Gran
Turismo 3 and Gran Turismo 4 is the graphics. Gran
Turismo 4 has substantially upped the amount of trackside
detail for some of the courses without sacrificing
the quality of the car models. Gran Turismo also features
better force feedback steering wheel support and a
new online racing mode to make the next edition of
Gran Turismo the best yet.
Features:
General
 New
physics engine adding a higher level of realism in
cars, which allows for cars to be handled easier.
- More
than 5,000 polygons per vehicle capture exceptional
detail, right down to the disc brakes behind the
wheel.
- With
an all-new AI engine, race opponents posses advanced
artificial intelligence, which allows for behavior
that captures human-like emotion.
- Refined
replay mode with broadcast-quality graphics.
- Compatible
with the Logitech Driving Force Pro Wheel –
To further enhance the automotive racing experience,
in lieu of the DUALSHOCK2 analog controller, the
Logitech Driving Force Pro can be used for the entire
game. Available in black with brushed aluminum accents,
the Gran Turismo branded GT Force Wheel provides
a shifter for manual transmissions, 900 degrees
of steering rotation and force-feedback.
Game
Modes
GT Career 'Simulation' Mode – Via the GT Universe,
players start from the bottom and race to earn money,
unlock cars and courses, buy and sell cars and upgrade
parts while competing in more than 200 various championship
races. Upon entering the GT Universe, players have
the option to visit the following Gran Turismo resort
facilities:
- My
Home – the player's home and garage
-
Dealership Town – divided by continent, players
can visit dealerships representing over 80 manufacturers
from around the world.
-
Tuner's Village – players can visit famous
tuning shops to upgrade their car(s).
-
Race Event Pavilions – players can visit and
join various races.
-
License Center – players will have the opportunity
to participate in various driving tests to earn
licenses for access to various race formats.
-
Music Theater – players will have the opportunity
to enjoy various music from around the world.
-
Circuit Racing – players can visit the "suburbs"
and enter races at various circuit tracks.
 Mission
Races – To experience the drama of racing
at a new level, a new race style will be structured
as a mission-clearing based race event offering numerous
variables for the player to capture the checkered
flag.
New "High Score" System – The
player who wins a race is not necessarily the one
who captures the checkered flag, but graded on how
well they drive and challenge themselves among the
competition based on their car type, horsepower and
modifications related to the race field.
GT Director Mode / B-Spec: Players take the
role of a race team manager and provide direction
to their driver (A.I.) to compete in races while viewed
and directed through the classic "broadcast-style"
replay screen, on-board camera and race monitor screen.
In B-Spec mode, the player will have the opportunity
to adjust various car settings for proper race setup,
choose the difficulty level, which is also known as
the "Pace Command," followed with direction
on when to overtake competition and take pit stops
where a variety of car settings can be adjusted to
further progress in the race – from tires to
the volume of fuel for refueling.
 GT
Photo Mode – Divided in two formats: 1) "Photo
Drive" – players have the opportunity to
photograph their car during the race where they can
take advantage of zoom, depth of field and motion
blur. 2) "Photo Travel" – Players can
take their favorite car and travel around the globe
to conduct photo sessions in exotic locations through
a variety of angles. Once the photo is taken in the
game, the player can save it to their memory card
(8MB) (for PlayStation 2) and have the option to share
with friends or print out a color copy via a USB printer.
Up to 50 photos can be taken at one time. 15 locations
in total that include: Gion District – Kyoto,
Japan; Nanzenji Temple – Kyoto, Japan; Sagano
– Kyoto, Japan; Tsumago – Nagano, Japan;
Piazza San Marco – Venice, Italy; Shibuya –
Tokyo, Japan; Tokyo International Forum – Tokyo,
Japan; Shiga Kogen – Nagano, Japan; Brooklyn,
New York; Times Square, New York City; Asian Fish
Market; Fremont Street, Las Vegas; Louisberg Square,
Boston; Grand Canyon, Arizona;
GT Arcade Mode - Players compete against each
other or the artificial intelligence with select cars
on select courses. More cars and course are available
in the GT Arcade Mode when they are unlocked in the
GT Career Simulation Mode.
Automobiles
-
More than 650 automobiles representing more than
80 manufacturers from around the world representing
historically significant vehicles to popular cars
of today and tomorrow.
- All
vehicles are fully customizable from racing tires
to gear ratio.
- New
driver assist functions: In addition to anti-lock
brakes, traction control systems and active stability
control, Gran Turismo 4 will include active steering
as well, further enhancing the safety features.
- Reflecting
the latest car tuning trends, superchargers and
NOS will be available.
Race Courses
Up to 100 courses that encompass rally courses, closed-circuit
courses and city courses covering both real-life and
fantasy-based locales. Some courses can be played
in reverse mode. Some courses include:
Closed Circuit Courses
-
Fuji Speedway '80 (Japan) – The original Fuji
Speedway, which was known as one of the fastest
tracks in the world.
-
Fuji Speedway '90 (Japan) – The current Fuji
Speedway.
-
Tsukuba Circuit 2000 (Japan) – Known as a sacred
ground for testing various production and sports
cars in Japan.
-
Twin Ring Motegi - Full Course and Oval Track (Japan)
- Both and International road course and the only
1.5 mile oval course in Japan built for Indy Car
racing.
-
Suzuka Circuit - Full Course (Japan) – This
track is also host to the Japanese Formula One Grand
Prix.
-
Laguna Seca Raceway (USA) – Located near Monterey,
California, this track returns from Gran Turismo
3 A-spec, this track returns with a higher level
of realism. The time setting has changed from sunset
to mid-day clear skies.
-
Infineon Raceway (USA) – Located in Sonoma
County near San Francisco, Infineon Raceway is a
unique road course that plays host to NASCAR, NHRA,
LeMans and various other auto racing competition.
-
Nurburgring Nordschleife (Germany) – The world's
most challenging and difficult course is approximately
13 miles long and contains 176 turns. This track
is known for a proving ground for many sports cars
from around the world.
City Courses
-
Tokyo R246 – Returning from Gran Turismo 3
A-spec, this track returns with a higher level of
realism.
-
Seattle – Returning from Gran Turismo 3 A-spec,
this track returns with a higher level of realism.
The time setting has changed from sunset to mid-day
clear skies.
-
New York City – This track is in the center
of Manhattan and includes Broadway, Times Square,
Fifth Avenue and Central Park. Hong Kong –
Developed and created with full support from the
Hong Kong Government Tourism Department.
-
Las Vegas Drag Strip – A quarter-mile drag
race down the Las Vegas strip.
-
George V Paris – Race course through the streets
of Paris including popular sites such as the Arc
de Triomphe and Les Champs-Elysees.
-
Opera Paris – Additional course through the
streets of Paris.
-
Cote D'Azur – Race course through the streets
of Monaco. Special Stage Route 5
-
Citta di Aria – Race course through Italian
city.
Nature
and Fantasy-based Courses:
- Grand
Canyon,
-
Swiss Alps,
- Ice
Arena,
- Grand
Valley
- Trial
Mountain
- Midfield
Raceway
- Snow
Lake
- High
Speed Ring
- Costa
di Amalfi (Race on the island of Capri in Italy)
- Motorsports
Land
- Tahiti
Maze
- Autumn
Maze
Human Element
In
addition to expressing cars and the surrounding environments,
Gran Turismo 4 will express people to a new level
never seen before in racing videogames – from
the driver, to the pit crew in action, to the movement
of the spectators.
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