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12th January 2005:
Gran Turismo 4
We take a look at the eagerly-awaited fourth installment of Sony's racing franchise.
Posted by John Grothier - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe

Sony say that automotive racing is much more than a sport, it's a lifestyle. We agree and with Gran Turismo 4 nearly upon us, we take a look at what makes this next instalment of their hit racing franchise stand out from the rest of the crowd. Once again developed by Polyphony Digital, this latest version promises to deliver the most authentic driving simulation available in the marketplace. The developers have included a wealth of new features like the 'GT Photo Mode', but sadly the eagerly-awaited 'GT Online Mode' is no more, but there may be a 'GT 4 Online' title released later in the year. In addition, enhanced popular features will return with 'GT Career Simulation Mode' and 'GT Arcade Mode.'

Following on from Gran Turismo 3 A-spec, GT 4 focuses on more cars, courses, race modes and online play via the Network Adaptor. The developers have been working hard on a all-new physics engine and also a new artificial intelligence engine. Gran Turismo 4 delivers enhanced, if not perfected, game physics, graphics, and feel, acting as a near-realistic automotive driving simulator.

In Gran Turismo 4, the characteristics of the cars are realistically designed and calculated so that they handle to the 'real life' physics of that particular vehicle, taking into account weight, speed, friction, wind, and more. Courses include various sites such as Nurburgring Nordschleife, New York City, the Grand Canyon, Tsukuba Circuit, and more. Highly detailed vehicles and environment mapping create broadcast-quality graphics, with light and competitor car reflections on the player's automobile - to leaves on a tree shaking in the wind.

Under the bonnet Gran Turismo 4 comes with a new physics engine and coupled with the higher level of realism in cars, it will allow for cars to be handled easier. With more than 5,000 polygons per vehicle, GT 4 captures exceptional detal, right down to minor details like the disc brakes behind the wheel. Up to 100 courses will be available to race and this number includes courses that can be played in reverse mode. Grand Turismo 4 will feature a staggering 500+ vehicles, which includes manufacturers from around the world with a range from vintage to modern models seen today, and all vehicles are fully customizable from racing tires to gear ratio.

The new race opponents posses advanced artificial intelligence, which allows for behavior that captures human-like emotion. GT 4 will also feature a refined replay mode with broadcast-quality graphics and the game will be fully compatible with the Logitech Driving Force Pro Wheel for that extra bit of realism.

The four main race mode include the 'GT Career Simulation Mode' - via the GT universe, players start from the bottom and race to earn money, unlock cars and courses, buy and sell cars and upgrade parts while competing in more than 200 various championship races.

The 'GT Arcade Mode' returns with players competing against each other or the artificial intelligence with select cars on select courses, and more cars and course are available in the player when they are unlocked in the 'GT Career Simulation Mode.' And the 'GT Photo Mode' is where players can travel around the globe with their cars and conduct photo sessions in various popular locations that include Piazza San Marco, Shibuya, Tsumago, Sagano and more. Once the photo is taken in the game, the player can save it to their memory card and have the option to share with friends or print out a shiny colour copy via a USB printer.

Stay tuned as we will bring you more on Gran Turismo 4 in the run up to its release on 11th March.

John Grothier

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