Gran Turismo 4
I picked up GT4 today, along with a PS2, since I didn't have one. With that said, the small form factor PS2 is really tiny. It's much smaller than I imagined, and has a footprint not much larger than a DVD case. It will make a good pairing with the mac mini I plan on getting soon.
Moving along, GT4 is more or less the same thing as GT3, evidenced particularly by the fact that it's possible to import GT3 saved files. Otherwise, GT4 has some technical improvements, such as the ability to play at 1080i on an HDTV -- at 60fps -- which is a phenomenal experience. It's well worth the cost of the HD compatible AV connector.
I'm going to stop posting now, and go play some GT4. I'm trying to get the hang of dual analog control (left hand gas/brake, right hand steering) combined with using the paddles for gear changes. You don't have to play it that way, I'm just a "purist."
A couple I minutes ago I just crashed a perfectly nice Fiat Barchetta into the side of the Nurburgring. . . Need practice.
Moving along, GT4 is more or less the same thing as GT3, evidenced particularly by the fact that it's possible to import GT3 saved files. Otherwise, GT4 has some technical improvements, such as the ability to play at 1080i on an HDTV -- at 60fps -- which is a phenomenal experience. It's well worth the cost of the HD compatible AV connector.
I'm going to stop posting now, and go play some GT4. I'm trying to get the hang of dual analog control (left hand gas/brake, right hand steering) combined with using the paddles for gear changes. You don't have to play it that way, I'm just a "purist."
A couple I minutes ago I just crashed a perfectly nice Fiat Barchetta into the side of the Nurburgring. . . Need practice.
Comments
Everything is sequels and exactly the same as the game before, but with a little tweaking and better graphics.
Although I have a problem with this- I still do enjoy games. I'd like to play GT4, but I'm a nintendo fan boy and can't afford 2 systems. So I mainly stick with my gamecube and GBA SP with first party games (I've own almost every major nintendo title so far).
I've been playing Resident Evil 4 (which is one of the best games I've ever played- approaching gaming perfecting in the traditional since) on my gamecube and AstroBoy and Final Fantasy on my GBA. AstroBoy was awesome, but is really really short, although it has a high score system with adds replay value.
I must say I'm most satisfied with my gamecube and wouldn't be with any other system, much better than the N64.
I'm really looking forward to Zelda, more games for the DS, and seeing what the revolution has in store.
PLUS! I might get a chance to go to E3 this year! What a great year to go! All 3 new systems! WAAAAHOOOOO!
Enjoy your PS2! I really want to give GT4 a spin, but can't justify buying a PS2 just for that game.
The game itself is like a refinement on GT3, which in my opinion is a good thing. The cars are much twitchier (in my opinion more realistic) and the graphics are sensational. I am the kind of person who loves trying for all Gold licences, or getting a personal best lap with a certain car on a certain track. To these ends, GT4 is exactly what I need: lots of cars, lots of tracks, and some tough licence tests and time trials.
But, alas, my 5 hours with GT4 are up. No more playing until I return from Seattle in 4 months.
Originally posted by ripkord
after all this time theres no excuse for not having realistic damage modelling in what otherwise is a top notch simulator... will they ever fix its biggest downfall?
I can't comment on GT4 but in GT3 they didn't do it because of licensing issues. Certain car companies didn't want wrecks of their cars driving round.
Originally posted by Telomar
I can't comment on GT4 but in GT3 they didn't do it because of licensing issues. Certain car companies didn't want wrecks of their cars driving round.
Which of course is rubbish. Many other real-world car games have since used both licensed cars and damage modeling. Particularly Getaway and Race Driver series. Not to mention Project Gotham and others.
I mean, that might have been true in, like, 1997 or something, but times have changed. Most companies will prefer getting their brand name out there even if they need to throw in a disclaimer in the beginning.
I think it only means the GT people have a lousy bunch of lawyers who didn't re-negotiate that detail.
GT is fun and pretty but it blows it by the cars being impervious boxes. I mean, that is exactly the wrong message to send kids and adults. Drive like a maniac without any repercussions? Great message. Better to show that you'll "lose" (money, race, life) the more reckless you are.
Even as a player I want there to be repercussions so I can have reasons to drive better.
Originally posted by johnq
Even as a player I want there to be repercussions so I can have reasons to drive better.
Don't they have a five second rev limiter to discourage crashes in GT4?
I also think it would be cool to have damage. It's not very important if it's visible or not, since you should always be able to see it from how other cars perform, but they really should have enabled damage to car handling: tires, shocks, steering. That would be appropriate punishment for driving out of track or leaning against walls... or opponents, although I hear the opponents in GT4 still occasionally drive like the player wasn't on the track at all.
Originally posted by johnq
Even as a player I want there to be repercussions so I can have reasons to drive better.
How about not winning the race? That's usually enough to keep me honest. Also, in the licensing tests, you fail if you go off-road. I got past the A test in a few hours of playing this weekend. The final part of the A test uses an RX-7, which brought back memories of driving around the federal property, after hours, where the USPS taught people how to use mail trucks.
Originally posted by johnq
Which of course is rubbish. Many other real-world car games have since used both licensed cars and damage modeling. Particularly Getaway and Race Driver series. Not to mention Project Gotham and others.
I mean, that might have been true in, like, 1997 or something, but times have changed. Most companies will prefer getting their brand name out there even if they need to throw in a disclaimer in the beginning.
I think it only means the GT people have a lousy bunch of lawyers who didn't re-negotiate that detail.
GT is fun and pretty but it blows it by the cars being impervious boxes. I mean, that is exactly the wrong message to send kids and adults. Drive like a maniac without any repercussions? Great message. Better to show that you'll "lose" (money, race, life) the more reckless you are.
Even as a player I want there to be repercussions so I can have reasons to drive better.
Actually its extremely expensive to get the licensing squared away particularly for racing games. I am under NDA right now for a project I am working on with EA but can tell you that many of the vehicles they use are extremely expensive to license and they must justify this by the sales numbers of the game, hence the number of sequels out there. Many of the companies we work with have stopped using body kits from manufacturers because they have to license all of these things. Rather they have us the modelers create generic body modifications that they dont have to pay for.
Something else that is interesting is that many of the car manufacturers who license their vehicles to the gaming companies are providing CAD data on the cars which is being used (unfortunatly) by the game companies and trimmed down to the appropriate quality needed for the games. One really sweet trend that is starting to take place is that along with the introduction of more powerful hardware game companies are starting to have us create more Sub-D models (subdivision surfaces), which can be rezzed-up infinatly to create a very realistic looking vehicle, much more so than is available in most of the existing games. Traditionally Sub-D modeling was only used for Film, Print, and Broadcast television so that should give you a good idea of where we are going with the visual quality of these games.
back on topic...Splinemodel, give the Skyline GTR a run 8)
I drove an older GTR (R32 I think) in one of the licensing tests, as well as a newer GT350. The RX-7 is little bit less forgiving, but then again its limit seems to be much higher. I'll try an R33 or R34 (I think there's an R34) when I get the chance, but the Spirit-R version of the RX-7 that's in the game is really sweet and hard to top. The only car I've tried that seems to be better is the Lotus Elise, another one of my favorites.