Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4 is the latest release in the Gran Turismo series. The Gran Turismo series of games are driving simulators. They are essentially car racing games where the game developers use real life car models in their games. It was released in Australia on March 10, 2005 and we just bought it today.
An initial impression of the game is that the game has some amazing graphics and amazing cars. The detail the developers have put into the cars is astounding. They look very life like and realistic with smooth bodies and amazingly realistic shadows and lighting. The environment and race tracks is also equally as spectacular with breath taking scenary and detail. The music throughout the game isn’t irritating and for some reason, I quite like the menu music the game makers have chosen.
The actual game play itself is a little more difficult for a novice (video game) driver such as myself. I’m not the biggest fan of racing games but I do enjoy watching them. I did managed to complete a few licensing races, with much trouble and some frustration, but I would always come last in the actual races themselves.
Gran Turismo 4 has a new racing mode called “B Spec”. In this mode, you don’t actually steer the car or anything, but you “instruct” your cars driver on how to drive. This means you can tell your driver how aggressively to drive and when to attempt to overtake. Quite amusing actually, and surprising very satisfying when you win a race in B Spec.
Overall it’s a brilliantly put together game, controls are good, graphics are stunning, sound is excellent, the cars are incredible and game play is challenging yet satisfying. The only downside of the game would be the loading times, it’s a little slow (understandably), but one can live with it.
