... On arrival to the shop I told them that I had pre-ordered the game they checked and I soon had hold of my copy of Gran Turismo 4 (now referred to as GT4) at last. As I pre-ordered from Game I received a metal GT4 keyring and a GT4 rear screen sticker that really didn't look cool in our old ... Read review
In Gran Turismo 4 the characteristics of the cars are realistically designed and ... more
calculated so that they handle as per the real-life physics of that particular vehicle, taking into account weight, speed, friction, wind and more. New technology immerses...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Polyphony Digital'sGran Turismo 4is one of 2005's biggest releases and, to boot, one of ... more
the most important PS2 games yet. What makes it such a significant title?First up,Gran Turismo 4is bigger and better than previous games in the record-breaking seri...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
In Gran Turismo 4 the characteristics of the cars are realistically designed and ... more
calculated so that they handle as per the real-life physics of that particular vehicle, taking into account weight, speed, friction, wind and more. New technology immerses...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Polyphony Digital'sGran Turismo 4is one of 2005's biggest releases and, to boot, one of ... more
the most important PS2 games yet. What makes it such a significant title?First up,Gran Turismo 4is bigger and better than previous games in the record-breaking seri...
Postage & Packaging: £3.99 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: You get to drive 700 different cars and race on 50 tracks Disadvantages: Hard to put down
...hold of my copy of Gran Turismo 4 (now referred to as GT4) at last. As I pre-ordered from Game I received a metal GT4 keyring and a GT4 rear screen sticker that really didn't look cool in our old "G" reg VW Golf and still doesn't.
The first thing I noticed about the game was the box that it came in is white, this in own right is unusual because most playstation game boxes are either black or blue. On the cover is the GT4 ... ...
I had played Gran Turismo 3 before and I had played Gran Turismo Concept and Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" so I had a good idea of what to expect upon loading up. But to my surprise it was different to any of it's predecessors. The cars seemed to hold to the road better and the graphics were in a league of their own compared to the others giving a more realistic feel than before.
I remember eagerly awaiting for this game to be released and about 12 months after the original release date it was finally it was available in local computer shops across the United Kingdom. At this time I received a telephone call from my local Game shop telling me that I could pick up my reserved copy. So without any delay I grabbed some cash and went out to get it. On arrival to the shop I told them that I had pre-ordered the game they checked and I soon had hold of my copy of Gran Turismo 4 (now referred to as GT4) at last. As I pre-ordered from Game I received a metal GT4 keyring and a GT4 rear screen sticker that really didn't look cool in our old "G" reg VW Golf and still doesn't.
The first thing I noticed about the game was the box that it came in is white, this in own right is unusual because most playstation game boxes are either black or blue. On the cover is the GT4 logo with a picture of a nice car, can't make out what it is but it looks better than our Golf. The back of the box has lots of screenshots from within the game. It also states that it has 700 cars and 50 tracks.
I had played Gran Turismo 3 before and I had played Gran Turismo Concept and Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" so I had a good idea of what to expect upon loading up. But to my surprise it was different to any of it's predecessors. The cars seemed to hold to the road better and the graphics were in a league of their own compared to the others giving a more realistic feel than before.
When the game is finally loaded you will be taken to the start up screen. The game revolves around the start up screen from here you can purchase cars, upgrade your car by adding spoilers and wheels, change the car your driving and race the cars that you have in your garage.
On the start up screen you will expect to see the following.
HOME --------- Garage - This is where you can go to change the car you are currently driving. Photo Lab - This is where you can create, edit and manage photos of your favourite cars and print them off if required. Diary - In here you can find out previous race information. Status - This tells you information like how much of the game you have completed. How many GT credits you have and how many driving points you have. Options - From here you can edit the game options such as sound volume, controller configuration and picture quality. Trade - From here you can trade cars from one memory card to another as long as you have enough GT credits. Save - Select this if you want to save. The game does have an auto save but sometimes its best to be safe than sorry.
License Centre --------------------- This is broken down into 5 different sub sections National "B", National "A", International "B", International "A" and Special. Each of these sections has 16 different tests for you to complete. You will need to complete these licenses before you can enter certain races.
GT Auto ----------- This section is pretty cool you can get your car cleaned, make an oil change, change your wheels and add a wing on the back of your motor. Car wash - Makes you car go from dirty to clean for the price of 50 GT credits Oil change - Ensure that your car is well maintained ready for its next journey around the track for just 50 GT credits. Wheel shop - There are four different categories of wheel types, Standard and sports tyres, racing tyres, dirt tyres and snow tyres. You can buy from 9 different tyre manufacturers, these are Bridgestone, BBS, Dunlop, ENKEI, Falken, OZ Racing, RAYS Engineering, Speedline and Yokohama and you can buy used tyres if you want to save a few quid. Tyres cost 500 GT credits a set and once you have bought a set you can fit them to any cars so long as regulations allow. Wing shop - from here you can upgrade your car with a wing that attaches to the back of your car, my partner calls these deckchairs but I call them tails. There is a good selection of tails available, but they come at a high price of 1200 GT credits each.
Driving Missions ------------------------ These are basically different manoeuvres and objectives that have to be completed. You cannot compete in these events unless you have acquired the relevant license. In total there are 34 different driving missions to take part in these are broken down into different colours. 1-10 are green these are all passing missions and are quite easy to complete and require an international "B" license, missions 11-20 are orange these are all 3 lap battles and do require a lot of battling, 21-24 are blue missions and are slipstream battles and again need battling hard, 25-29 are red in colour and are all 1 lap races against cars of old and new, which you must triumph over to win and let me tell you this will take some doing. Finally is the purple group in these races again you must triumph over cars of old and new alike. All of these races require an international "A" license except the first 10 which require an International "B" license.
Tuner Manufacturer Village ------------------------------------- This is where certain cars can be taken to have the engine upgraded to a racing car manufactured engine. The manufacturers include HPA Motorsports, Amuse, Blitz, HKS, Opera Performance, Spoon and Trial.
Jukebox ------------ This is where you can select music from it consists of 3 different categories A library, a racing playlist and a slideshow playlist. I have never really used any of these features but I do enjoy the tracks that are played. They tracks range from soft rock to classical and also includes some Drum and Bass and dance tracks.
Replay theatre -------------------- This section is handy even though it is not a feature that I use very often. I use this feature to save my best attempts at completing the licenses. In doing this I can go back to the license and race my ghost car
Used cars --------------- There is also 3 different sections that you can buy used cars, the groups are as follows used cars from the 1980's, used cars from the early 90's and used cars from the late 90's. Buying an old banger can save you loads of GT credits
Original Circuits ---------------------- In this section you will be able to your desired car until your hearts content, however this will cost GT credits depending upon what you want to do. A free run costs 5 GT credits, a race meeting costs 5 GT credits, a photo drive costs 3 GT credits and a family cup that can be entered for free. The original circuits are as follows High Speed Ring Midfield Raceway Grand Valley - East Section Grand Valley - Speedway Deep Forest Raceway Trial Mountain Circuit El Capitan Autumn Ring Mini Autumn Ring Apricot Hill Raceway All race tracks can be done in normal or reverse
City courses ----------------- Here you can race on the following tracks Seoul Central Tokyo -R246 Hong Kong Clubman Stage Route 5 Special Stage Route 5 New York Seattle Circuit Cote d'Azur Opera Paris George V Paris Cittia di Aria Costa di Amalfi These tracks can be raced in normal or reversed as a free run, a photo drive or a family cup. The same prices apply as the original circuits.
World circuits ------------------- Here you can race in the following different tracks Tsukuba circuit Tsukuba circuit - Wet Fuji speedway - 80's Fuji speedway - 90's Fuji speedway - 2005 Fuji speedway - 2005 GT Infineon - Sports Infineon - Stocks Laguna Seca Twin ring Motegi - Road course Twin ring Motegi - East short course Twin ring Motegi - West short course Twin ring Motegi - Super speedway Suzuka circuit Suzuka circuit - East course Suzuka circuit - West course Nurburgring Nordschleife Circuit de la Sarthe I Circuit de la Sarthe II These tracks can be raced as either a free run, Race meeting, photo drive or family cup. The prices of races can be found in the original circuits
Driving Park ----------------- The park has four different tracks to practise racing on they are as follows, a test course, gymkhana, Motorland and beginners course. They can be driven around in normal or reverse as either a free run, a race meeting or photo drive for a few of your GT credits.
Power & speed --------------------- Here you can test your car on the test course from the driving park or on the Las Vegas drag strip. On the driving park test course do either a 400m sprint, a 1000m sprint or do a lap to test your max speed. But on the Las Vegas drag strip you can only do 400m sprints. All the events cost 5 GT credits to enter.
Endurance events ------------------------- The endurance races are long distant races that really test your driving potential to the max with some races lasting 24 hours. They are well worth competing in because of the large amount of GT credits that can be obtained and are usually easy to win you just need to have the time and the patience.
Dirt & snow ----------------- This part of the game is the most fun in my opinion take your car for a free run or photo drive off road and on ice. You can race in normal or reverse.
Special conditions -------------------------- Here you must race just one opponent and win. There are 11 different races to enter and they must be completed in easy, normal and hard. The races vary from on road to off road and through towns and villages. I use this section to make some easy cash. I race on of the tracks to win a Toyota Rally Car then I race it again and at the end sell it to make extra cash.
Photo Travel ----------------- I have not used this part of the game, but you can basically take pictures of your chosen car in different places all around the world
World events ------------------ There are 3 sections to this American events, European events and Japanese events. These races must be completed in a certain car depending on were you are racing if for instance you are racing in Japan you will need a Japanese Car or if you are racing an American event you will require an American car. You are told what cars are allowed at the beginning of the race and you will not be able to enter unless you have met the requirements
Main events --------------- Again there are 3 different sections to this part beginner events, professional events and extreme events. These are the main sections that need to be completed. They can be single races or league races that start of easy but get harder. You cannot enter the extreme events until you have completed both the beginner events and the professional.
Car manufacturers ----------------------- Car manufacturers are marked on the start up screen as the countries flag and include the UK, America, Holland, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Japan and Korea. You can buy cars from each of the companies found within and upgrade the turbo, add a NOS kit or lighten your vehicle.
UK ----- Aston Martin, Jaguar, Mini, Bentley, Ginetta, Lotus, TVR, MG, Jensen Healey, Lister, Marcos, Caterham, AC Cars, Land Rover, Vauxhall and Triumph.
America ----------- Cadillac, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Panoz, Plymouth, Saleen, Pontiac, Shelby, Buick, Callaway, DMC, Eagle, Jay Leno, Mercury, Infiniti, Lexus, Chapparel and Nike.
Holland ---------- Spyker
Belgium ----------- Gillet
Spain -------- Seat
France --------- Citreon, Renault, Peugeot, Pescarolo Sport, Alpine and Hommell.
Italy ------ Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Autobianch, Pagani, Fiat and Cizeta
Sweden ---------- Volvo
Germany ------------ Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Opel, VW and RUF
Australia ----------- Ford, Holden and FPV
Japan -------- Daihatsu, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Acura, Tommy Kaira, ASL and Dome.
Korea -------- Hyundai, Protomotor.
And this finally sums up the start up screen. Now if you are still with me I will tell you more….
There a two different ways that you can race in A spec which basically means from the drivers point of view or B spec which basically means that you will be directed by the racing team in the pits. B spec is an easier way to race and simply tell the driver when to brake, accelerate and overtake. But it doesn't getting in the drivers seat and giving it your best.
When I played GT3 I thought that they would never make the graphics any better, but to my surprise they were. There is so much more detail been included such as the sky and the trees to mention a few. The handling of the cars somehow feels different when driving and if you happen to crash then the screen will shake and go blurry for a few seconds adding to the realism.
GT4 differs from the others because you can now upgrade to a NOS kit. At first I thought the NOS kit was a waste of time and would burn it all up in the first lap of a race, but then I learnt the best way to use it. It was not like need for speed underground where you press the NOS button and you shoot off leaving the world as a blur. This NOS kit needs to be used with precision and used on straights to give you a little boost to catch the front runners. It is a complete waste of time using it whilst going around tight bends. The NOS can be adjusted to be released at your desired rate
As well as a NOS kit you can add turbo's, lighten the vehicle, exhausts, better brakes, new drivetrain, tyres, suspension and a few other things.
You can also tweak with the engine before entering a new race to get the most out of it.
The music on the game on a whole is good and really gets then adrenaline pumping, but gets boring without it and the sound of a car going around the same bit of track can become monotonous.
This game has so many features it will keep the best of game players busy for some time. I have had this game for over a year now and have only just completed around 85% of the game
The game boasts 700 cars, but I cannot be sure if this is true or not. I have currently got around 250 cars in my garage. As for 50 tracks I believe that there is more likely to be around 25 but when reversed this will make 50 but I do not know this for sure.
GT4 can also be played in Arcade Mode where you can do a single race, a time trial, 2p Battle and Multi LAN race.
Controlling a car is really simple use the left analogue stick to steer and the X button to drive, Triangle is reverse, square is a hand brake, circle is a brake. You can also use a steering wheel if you have one. I do, but I find it difficult to set up and to handle the car.
I usually race in automatic but you can drive manually using the L and R buttons on top of the pad.
There are 3 different camera positions you can race in or maybe 4, I prefer to drive in my car with the hood sticking out.
When you are driving you will be able to see your speedometer, rev counter, NOS display, oil change light and your tyre condition.
This game cost me £29.99 over a year ago from Game shop. But it has probably gone platinum by now so will be a lot cheaper
The game comes with an instruction manual that is easy to understand and will explain the game a lot better than me.
This game is suitable for anybody over the age of 3.
Advantages: Blinding graphics, star-studded soundtrack, and literally hundreds of cars to belt around countless real-life tracks, AS WELL AS seemingly unlimited customisation and more game modes. Disadvantages: Not a racing game, it's a driving game, so don't expect drifting-style handling. Very addictive!
...boundaries of gaming?
Enter Gran Turismo.
I bet you can remember your first time playing it! I certainly can. After having a huge build up of confidence after being the best in my house on Mario Kart, and after thrashing games like Crazy Taxi I felt sure I could handle a little racing game like GT. Famous last words - "What's wrong, the handling's all funny!"
That's right. Gone were the days of simple drifting, exaggerated speed and needle-edge ... ...forgot about it. As such, Gran Turismo 2 came and went like last nights curry.
GT3 on the PS2. Ignoring the level of acronyms here, it was a mind numbingly impressive game. With nearly photographic graphics and enormous tracks backed up by an arsenal of cars and tuning options, even I was able to get involved. The handling which was so loathed became bearable, and even a few good hours of genuine fun was gotten out of it, tuning and slamming rides ...
reddragonflame87 16.06.2006 (11.10.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Advantages: Beautiful graphics and loads of cars Disadvantages: Maybe a bit too much of a simulator rather than a 'game'
Gran Turismo 4 is the latest of the long series of exceptional racing games from Polyphony Digital, a division of Sony.
It has been a long wait since Gran Turismo 3 was released right at the start of PS2 history, sure there was Gran Turismo Concept and Gran Turismo 4: Prologue but nothing comes near the quality of a full Gran Turismo game. The wait has been worth it though, and Polyphony Digital seem to have pushed the Playstation 2 to it's limits ... ...tracks in GT4 than previous Gran Turismos, these include tracks like the Suzuka circuit and the highly famous Nurburgring circuit.
Graphics: Even though it would have seemed almost impossible for any improvement in graphics to be made in GT4 from GT3, Polyphony Digital have manged to do it. Not in a massive amount, but it's good enough! One of the most amazing aspects of the graphics are the tracks and scenery, everything, even down to the rocks ...
jordan24e 04.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Advantages: 99.9% of it Disadvantages: The other 0.1% of it
...all this fit in with Gran Turismo 4? Well, more of that later.
First, I'll cut to the chase. Quite simply, this is the best track-based driving game on the planet. It gets a 9.9 out of 10, 99.9% out of 100% etc. etc. Do I really need to go on? Can I end the review here? I suppose not.
On loading the game for the first time and watching the usual high quality intro, you're struck by how much easier to use the revamped menu system is. It's never ... ...motorist needs to do to stop the government picking on us all the time, is simply this; buy a bus pass, buy Gran Turismo 4, and stick two fingers up to the government. Trust me, if you sell your car and buy GT4, you won't miss it. It's that good. ...
xtincol 27.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Advantages: Great range of cars and tracks Disadvantages: Tuning options
...off I will explain what Gran Turismo is all about. It started off on the Playstation as a racing game but there was more to it than that. In arcade mode you picked a car and a track and then raced but the best part of this game is GT mode. GT mode has evolved considerably since the original Gran Turismo but the concept has stayed the same. The idea is you start off with 10,000 credits and go from there. From here what you do is up to you. You could ... ...with this.
The Cars:
Gran Turismo 4 has an impressive number of cars right from the original cars like the Daimler Motor carriage and Model T Ford. There are also many concept cars like electric models and others. Some of these cannot be sold and some are no good in any race but look good.
Tuning
GT4 features a new feature, tuning shops like HKS and others, although these have the same parts as the manufacturers with the same effect. The cars ...
iancozens12 29.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Advantages: Great Graphics, fantastic sound effects and marvellous rendering Disadvantages: None
Gran Turismo 4 has to be one of the very best driving simulators around. The game provides a unique experience into the real world of motor racing. With its fantastic graphics quality, you will feel like you are really there, whilst the superb sound effects add even more to the atmosphere.
I have played Gran Turismo before and had become addicted to playing it whilst using my brothers Playstation. Because of this addiction, I spent many hours at ... ...for a Playstation 2 and Gran Turismo 4 for Christmas, and to my surprise, that is what Santa brought me. Hooray!
Needless to say, I couldn't resist the excitement of ripping the Playstation out of its box and setting it up immediately (to the disgust of my Grandfather who was watching telly!)
Right from the very first opening cut scene, I was hooked!
From that time, I spent all day on Christmas Day exploring the world of GT4 and marvelling at ...
SnowiestElf 30.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
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Advantages: 2 main modes which are both good Disadvantages: you have to win cars to play on arcade mode
granturismo4 for playstation 2 will keep you occupied for quite a long time.
You always start off with the bad cars on school mode that you win for arcade mode but all the cars gets better as it progresses.
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Advantages: Gives you a taste of whats to come Disadvantages: None
I bought Granturismo4 prologue Limited edition (includes "Making of GranTurismo4 DVD) as soon as it hit the shops. They released this in order for you to prepare yourself for the challenges that you face in GT4. Basically it is a prelude of whats to come.
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Advantages: Gets an peek at the bigger and better game, pretty cheap too Disadvantages: Limited cars and features
I've played all except GT1 and this fine little number. GT4 is going to be a truly superb release, the graphics could have you gobsmacked for half an hour alone, and thats just watching the demo. Truly a magnificent piece of work by the makers polyphony and their picture perfect graphics. way more detail and way more cars have been added, and i do believe the game has taken a turn for the best, as the GT4 prologue edition is just an appetiser. Nothing compared to the one coming out now, which even features the monster kusabi, a new car recently featured in a motor show in the US.
So they are not just chucking in any old car, but yes, a lot of our old favourites will be showing up too, such as the sklyines, integras, elises and a personal favourite, the rally ice car. This game looks like a true gem, and would double as a simulator in ...
