Ridge Racer Type 4

Ridge Racer Type 4, released on PS1, PSP and PSV, is the fourth full-fledged edition of the racing series launched in 1993 on the PlayStation and arcade machines. From the very beginning, the Japanese company Namco, known for such franchises as Ace Combat or Tekken, has been responsible for the series, which remains Sony's exclusive title.

Mechanics

The distinctive feature of the Ridge Racer series is an arcade driving model, with an emphasis on effective cornering. The fourth installment of the series doesn't change that, however, it introduces a little more differentiation to the gameplay. There are two classes of cars, which behave a bit differently while turning. Cars from the Drift class represent a classic model for the series, in which a single press of the brake is all it takes to start drifting. To do the same with the Grip class, you will have to find the right balance between gas and brake.

The main variant of the game is Grand Prix mode, during which we support one of the four competing teams: Micro Mouse Mappy (France), Pac Racing Team (Japan), Racing Team Solvalou (Italy) and Dig Racing Team (USA). Before starting the game, we also choose one of the four producers: Lizard and Assoluto (Drift class) or Age Solo and Terrazi (Grip class). In the next races with increasing difficulty, we have to get a qualification or be the first. It's an important thing because we unlock new car models and their parameters depend strictly on the results obtained by us. If they are not sufficient, we can only improve our cars. The game offers an impressive number of 320 vehicles, although, as in previous versions of the series, these are completely fictitious models.

Game modes

Ridge Racer Type 4 also includes Time Attack and VS Mode in which, as one of the first games released on consoles, offers the opportunity for two players to compete on a split-screen.

Technical aspects

In terms of graphics, Ridge Racer Type 4 is characterized by decent graphics, thanks to detailed models of cars and routes and the use of advanced shading using the Gouraud method. It's worth noting that some releases included an additional CD with a slightly limited version of the first Ridge Racer (Ridge Racer Turbo or Ridge Racer Hi-Spec Demo), but with better graphics, comparable to the fourth entry.

Last updated on 27 April 2015