GT4: The snooze fest of your life
So I got the opportunity to sit down with the game and play it. Wow, this game is as boring of not more then the first one. Granted I hate GT3, but I was open-minded about GT4 and eagerly waited to play the game when I got the chance. Jeez, was I let down, but I guess that can be expected though seeing is how the prequel was just as mind numbing as the 4th installment. GT4 is pretty much like an add on pack then a sequel.
Let's start with Graphics. The cities were a bit nicer, the textures were ok too. But, on a plus side jaggies are no longer prevalent as GT3 was. Slow down was present on opening intro to the circuits, and the frame rate got choppy when pitting, esp when changing tires, it was actually pretty funny. Overall, visually the game isn't that much better. Only real noticeable thing is the lack jaggies, and it’s a little more polished with more polys, but is nothing to write home about.
Now, let's go with Audio. The SOUND IS TERRIBLE!! Holy shit does the game sound like it was recorded in the same damn garage in Seattle again. Polyphony has managed to do a slight sound improvement in GT4, but only noticeable from the outside of the car. However, this is negligible because we all know if you want to have realistic simulation, or even more involved racing you race from the cockpit. Cockpit sound effects and sound quality gets another huge F! The cars are to quiet inside, you can't even hear some for that matter. The engine notes on the inside again sound computer generated, and don't even sound mechanical at all. Closest thing that any of the cars sound like from the inside, esp the V8s' are Vacuum cleaners. Notice however I said closest, theirs not really much they sound like. It was funny however that you could hear the tires break loose over the cars extremely well, hell you could hear the tires squeal over the full race cars. Granted when tires break you can hear them, but in this game it is to the extreme. Oh yes, the music, terrible yet again. Elevator music is still abundant in GT4, and receives another F. Speaking of full race cars; they also sound liked complete garbage. Polyphony should have taken a class on how to create realistic sound effects from SimBin entertainment on its GT-R game.
Let's go with handling of cars. The previous installment (if you can call it that) had just about zero body roll, and pitch when turning or braking) This game again like in the sound takes it to the extreme. NSX-R, Callaway C12, MkIV, RUF, Z06, (they used the pre 2002 Z06 which is disappointing to say the least) all nose dive like a popper bowing to his majesty! The nose dive on braking is to the absolute extreme, and is ridiculous in some cars that you would expect great balance and weight transition. I can expect killer nose dive on the classic cars, take for example the Chevelle. FAIL. The Porsches under steer, but wait, what's this? No lift off over steer to be had on the P-cars? Actually, their is a slight over steer when lifting off on a corner and ringing the wheel, but it is bogus when it comes to that. However, it does not replicate what SHOULD be expected when driving a rear engine car at high speeds, esp a 911. They didn't call the older 911s widow makers for nothing. F.
Game play:
Is it fun, or is not fun, that is the question. GT4 isn't fun; it's actually boring and laughable at the same time. This is what really matters when it comes to making and breaking a game. Is it fun to play? I play games that are of the simplest form, and games that are of 5+ yrs old, and I keep coming back to them, why because they are fun to play. GT4 has really nothing to offer to the table. It’s lack luster attempt at trying to reel you In with it’s many cars and many tracks only fails to cover up it’s ability to keep you wanting to play. GT4 is laughable simply because some of the HUGE errors made in this "Real Simulation" game. Take for example the Chevelle. Now I don’t know about you, but as far as I know the Chevelle DID NOT have any form of driving aids, The Traction control system that you can switch on and off being one of them, BOGUS. Maybe in the 60s the traction control system used was a block of wood that was on a pendulum that would swing back and jam itself under the gas pedal when you gave it to much gas in order for you to keep your tires planted? I guess Polyphony did some amazing research to find that piece of technology in the 60s. Not only that, it seems you can turn up the HP with the NA cars as well in the options. I guess Polyphony found out that NA cars have a hidden compression knob in the blinker fluid reservoir. On top of that it seems you can use also turn down the weight as well with a turn of a knob. Even with all this weight savings, one would imagine the only thing left in the car would be metal, but yet the car’s still manage to be dead quiet inside, and the only real audible thing is the wind at high enough speeds, amazing how all that works out to make a “real simulation”. Let’s go to A.I. Sure I raced with other cars against the A.I., but the A.I. is about is stupid as some of things like hidden compression knobs. Polyphony talked about how the computer would be ramped up, but it still remains to be boring and far from realistic. I don’t know how many times the computer would deliberately t-bone me when attempting to get back on the track, or how they found it necessary to ram me cutting them off their best line. Alll of this is silly. The A.I. is really stupid, and obviously follows the drive in a straight line mode. If you don’t believe me, try this. Go take a car and park it on an apex and wait for the other cars to come around. I guarantee you that they will all plow straight into instead of trying to avert you. Jeez, that’s realistic. This game still suffers from the terrible sensation of speed that all others have succumbed to. No matter what car you’re in nor, what speed you are at, and your acceleration it steel looks and feel like your driving 5mphs. This lack of speed is totally inadequate for a racing game, and plops you into a molasses driving experience. This also hinders your driving ability as well and can screw with your entry and corner speed. Of course this game will be a hot seller and probably be in the millions, but what can I say? It suffers from Electronic Arts Maddenitis. I tossed the controller after a good while at trying to get into it, but found making a sandwhich more entertaining.
In conclusion the games sound effects are poor, the sensation of speed is poor, the A.I. stupid, the ability to keep making you come back for more is non-existant, the physics and handling of the cars is also bogus as well. All this game is really just a $50 add on pack to the already boring GT3. Don’t waste your money; if you have already bought this, then you have my sympathy.
). It was pretty cool to get the orange Element out at Infenion, although it was slow as crap, and not true to life (2nd gear was good for like 90 mph???)
orsche Unleashed. Older game, showing it's age, but overall good a package. A slight dash of arcadeyness, but it's more of a sim then arcade racer.
