Gran Turismo 4 Prologue

Posted by: Mekon on 08 June 2004

Anyone else playing this? IMO, marked improvement in the physics model, with the cars feeling substantially weightier and weight transfer playing a much greater role in the handling. The new tracks are decent, although I haven't got the Italian village street course down yet. Fuji and Tsukuba are excellent, and the New York street course is good fun, flowing much better than previous GT street courses.

I'm all gold on the first 3 groups of driving tests so far. Definitely worth pursuing the golds, as its the only way to get the BMW M5 concept. Other than the M5, not too many standout cars. The McLaren F1 GTR Longtail is daft, being so surfeit of power you seem to spend more time braking than accelerating. The Prius is a lot of fun, having barely any grip.

Can't say I would recommend GT4P to a casual Gran Turismo player, even at £18. It really is just a bunch of license tests, as the computer cars in arcade mode are dead slow. However, if you think you'll get sucked into online racing when GT4 comes out, it's a chance to get yourself an early advantage.

Posted on: 08 June 2004 by Rasher

I found the previous GT games a bit limited by the tracks, and always felt cheated when new tracks turned out to be the old ones in reverse. I am currently playing Need For Speed Underground which is brilliant, and Burn Out 1 & 2.

Posted on: 08 June 2004 by Mekon

You don't get to access the car setups at all in prologue, the cars are stock. However, the tests are quite diverse, from the usual do the bend in under x seconds, thru' 10 lappers with no touching and a miniumum placing, fuel economy tests, autocross tracks, to the whole track time trials. The graphics are great, with the cars being more detailed, better lighting effects, etc. Noticeable step up from GT3. Sadly, the sound doesn't seem improved at all, everything sounds too whiney.

Current rumours are that GT4 is going over 100 tracks. However, if that includes reversed, it's just 50. Still, it's confirmed to have the full 14 mile Nordschleife (see image), which is pretty much enough in itself. I can see myself wasting alot of time trying to match production car records, especially as there are Caterhams in the game this time. Online play is going to be the biggie. I want to say something like 'it will be like Everquest for the less girthy', but I have a steering wheel in the house so I shouldn't throw stones.