The layout of the game is similar to that of Gran Turismo: Concept, choose a car and a track. We were very keen to try the Grand Canyon track which is the most anticipated track inclusion in the game. Gone are the days of extremely static crowds, similar in vein to V-Rally 3 spectators will jump out, take photos, run from cars and cheer, The crowds are still 2-dimensional but it is welcoming to see them move around a little bit.
After the Grand Canyon I chose the Dodge Viper and raced in New York which was not as impressive. The track is still very impressive but the Grand Canyon is the showcase of the game. There are little details in the game on the trackside that make it feel extremely realistic. I was in a single player race and was not exposed to A.I but it has been commented that the A.I will see a huge overhaul which is much needed.
Control seems more fluent, the car responds well and the actual control feels a lot tighter. The Grand Canyon looks absolutely sensational, there are parts in the track where there is just an orange barrier shielding you from the edge of the canyon and it feels incredibly immersive. Car detail is just as impressive, with just as much detail as in the previous game. The car sounds don't seemed to have made much of an improvement but they were already acceptable. Screenshots which may have looked to good to be running on the Playstation 2 aren’t. The tracks look jaw-dropping. After seeing the game in action it is clear why the game has been so long in development.
The most impressive feat is the fact that Polyphony Digital have made all these improvements to the graphic engine but the game runs the same as Gran Turismo 3. I could notice no slowdown but I was a single car on a track, it could change when six cars are driving through a graphic intensive track.
The only gripe I have about the game is that it hasn't improved immensely. We (of course) haven't seen a final version with all the tracks and cars but the menus look similar to Gran Turismo Concept. Gran Turismo 4 plays exactly the same as Gran Turismo 3 except with a few improvements. This game will sell no matter what, but it is good to see that the game looks impressive and plays just as impressively. PALGN will have more on Gran Turismo 4 as it develops.
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