King of racing games gets better(revised edition)

In my opinion, the Gran Turismo series has always been the cream of the crop of racing games, and the series has just gotten better with the fourth installment. Of course your enjoyment of this game probably depends on how much you enjoyed Gran Turismo 3, as there are many things that have remained unchanged. But the improvements over number 3 are well worth it.

For those new to the series, Gran Turismo 4 is a good a place as any to get acquainted with this grand series. But first you must ask yourself one question. Do you prefer arcade racing or simulation racing? There are games like Burnout 3, which emphasize adrenaline and make speed a hyperbole. Steering and controlling a vehicle isn't a question of skill but more of reflex. The Gran Turismo games, then, are hard core simulations. They aren't for those just casually interested in racing. Gran Turismo is about the science and technical side of racing. It's about tuning gears and suspension systems. It's also about the art of perfecting those beautiful racing lines. True to life physics has always been the hallmark of Gran Turismo, and it is here in number 4 where the physics really shines. Hit the grass in a 300 horsepower monster and watch your car slide out of control.

If all this sounds like a bit much, don't worry. Gran Turismo 4 is still fun and accessible. There are those that say that Gran Turismo has no sense of speed, but this simply isn't true. There are no blur lines but the physics is true to life, and driving a Viper really feels like driving a Viper. Even so, number 4 does a few new things that tries to remedy this accusation. The tracks feel newer and more exciting. There are classics like Leguna Seca, but there are also great international tracks. The German favorite Nurburgring is here in all its glory. These new tracks combine speed zones with challenging twists and sudden dips and changes in elevation. There are also great rally tracks that test your skills at handling less than optimal traction. New to the series is also the ability to buy nitro. This feature may turn off some hard core Gran Turismo fans, but the nitro isn't the super energy race breaker like it is in games like Need For Speed Underground or Burnout 3.

Other changes and improvements from the last game include even more license tests, some of which train both newcomers and veterans on the new challenges number 4 offers, and coffee breaks, which are fun little driving related minigames. For those new to the series, license tests are a series of increasingly challenging missions that teach basic racing techniques. Licenses are awarded upon graduation from certain levels, which is necessary for certain races. In Gran Turismo 3, there were 8 tests per level. Here there are 16. Another plus is that you're rewarded with a prize car merely just for graduating instead of just getting all gold like in number 3. It's the same for the races. Here in number 4, most prize cars awarded for winning a series can be sold for money and you can win the same car again simply be clearing your times and racing the series again. This allows for a swift accumulation of credits that you can use to tune your car to acceptable levels.

There are also other neat little additions like missions that further enhance your racing skills beyond the license tests by putting you in a predetermined car and pitting you against the same car. There are also special stages where you do a full race but get penalized time for hitting the rival car. Plus there's a much larger roster of cars than in number 3, including favorites like the Skyline and even some cars that don't exist. Of course the sweetest improvement is the revamped graphics. When Gran Turismo 3 came out, I thought that was photorealistic, but number 4 really pushes the envelope with graphics that shine and new animated background people that watch you and even try to jump out in front to take a picture. There are a few other additions that, to me, seem more like oddities than necessities. First is the new photo mode where you can take your ride to various locations and take pictures of it and even print it out if your PS2 is connected to a printer. The second is a mode where instead of racing a car directly you tell an A.I. racer what to do with various commands like "steady pace" or "push hard". And the more you race your A.I. the better it gets. These last two additions don't really interest me, but it's good to know that they're there.

Of course, every game has its faults, and Gran Turismo 4 carries over a few left from number 3 plus a few of its own. Many complained that Gran Turismo 3's A.I. drivers were too scripted, not really racing like humans but instead just driving in predetermined patterns. Of course, this could be said of a lot of racers. Gran Turismo 4 changes very little. However, I DID notice that the opposing drivers in this game tended to hit the dirt, get freaked out, and react a little more aggressively in this game than in the last one. Another thing I didn't like was how they moved the upgrade parts from "one size fits all" to being separated by brand name and country of origin, and only certain cars can equip certain brand name parts, even though there is absolutely no difference between brands. Finally, the races in Gran Turismo 4 seem to unorganized. In Gran Turismo 3, there were many races that were separated based on car and engine types and even races that were solely for one company(i.e. Nissan cars). Gran Turismo 4 is like that but whereas Gran Turismo 3's races could be accessed on one level, in Gran Turismo 4 you'll find original courses in one part of the map, street courses on another, beginner races here, professionals there, and if you want to find company specific championships, you had to remember to go to the country they were located in. All this hunting and locating for parts and races almost threatens to disconnect the player from the feel of the game.

Almost. Thankfully these minor nitpicks hardly detract from what is otherwise probably the best game in the series and probably the best racing game of all time. It's very hard core and technical but also very beautiful, artistic in its portrayal of physics and racing lines, and very fun. Another thing I should warn the newcomer and veteran about. Gran Turismo has always had endurance races, and apparently number 4 has brought back true 24 hour racing, which was probably only seen once before in an old Le Mans game. This isn't a technical fault of Gran Turismo 4, but for the life of me, I can't see most players wanting to sit down for one full day committed to racing. However, for a true test of skill, there is no greater challenge. And there is no substitute for Gran Turismo, and number 4 is the best there is. Enjoy.