Gran Turismo 4

The Gran Turismo series is a system seller. The fourth instalment has sold in more than 10 million copies around the world. No wonder – Gran Turismo 4 for PS2 outshines former parts of the series and became a must-have for every PlayStation 2 owner.

Gameplay

The number of cars is astonishing – over 500 models from 80 car manufacturers across the world. Players can choose from such brands as: Honda, Pontiac, Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Renault, and many more. Each car is a true, detailed copy of its real counterpart. The game offers new and old cars, big and small, produced in batches as well as special, racing versions – there is a lot to pick and choose from. Even though it seems impossible, the driving physics were upgraded and the number of parameters influencing cars’ behaviour in different conditions was also enlarged.

Gran Turismo 4 takes you for a ride around the world. The game offers 100 tracks, among them some very familiar ones, known from former instalments – but still greatly improved – and a few completely new, like El Capitan in Yosemite (USA), Infineon Raceway in California (USA), Suzuka (Japan), and Tuscan (Italia). Apart from professional tracks, the authors introduced some races in wild sceneries (The Great Canyon) and in concrete jungles (New York City’s streets) – mastering them takes a lot of time and effort.

Game modes

For the most part, the number and types of game modes is the same as in the former instalments. Again, the core of the game is the simulation mode in which the player buys or wins new cars, customises them, sells, etc. with the money won by finishing races at the top of the table. The garage can accommodate even 1000 cars (the garage in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec can accommodate only 200). Of course, there is the arcade mode for the hasty players. Traditionally, the game includes a Driving School and License Tests. Photo Mode is a novelty which enables you to shoot photos during races. You can also immortalise the most spectacular or dramatic situations, e.g. crashes, or focus on photographing cars in beautiful sceneries. The virtual photo album can store up to 300 pictures.

The multiplayer mode is also worth mentioning: the game features split-screen, so two players can compete with each other and drive any car they want. The game supports many steering wheels.

Technical aspects

Visuals in Gran Turismo 4 published on PS2 are exactly the same as in Gran Turismo 4: Prologue – very impressive. Details of cars and backgrounds, like trees lashed by the wind, lively spectators, reflections on cars’ bodies, etc. are truly amazing. Soundtrack is recorded in Dolby Pro Logic II. Not for the first time then will the virtual-petrolheads indulge in sounds of running motors recorded separately for each car.

Last updated on May 11, 2016