PGR4

[theory]

After finding out a couple of hours ago that the street date for this title was broken, I was all ready to drive down to the nearest JB to pick it up. I figured I'd check some reviews first though... and now I don't think I want it.

The motorbikes thing doesn't phase me. The new career mode really does. It works on a calendar mode (Virtua Tennis style, for anybody who has played it) and only gives you one shot at an event per year. At the end of the event it takes you to the next day. Apparently you can pause and restart before the end of the race, but I'm not cool with that. What if you're neck and neck with another car? It could go either way. I'm not about to go for it and risk waiting to replay the event if I come second. Maybe I'll forget the track? I'm also not about to pause and restart and forever wonder if I was gonna win.

Although I've played all the console PGR games (there was a mobile game at some point), PGR2 is the only one I've ever owned and played right through. I loved throwing on a custom soundtrack, zoning out and replaying the shit outta every track until I got the medal I was after. I was so looking forward to doing this again.

Let's see what the critics have to say about the series (via Game Rankings):

Project Gotham Racing - 87.0%
Project Gotham Racing 2 - 93.0%
Project Gotham Racing 3 - 88.4%
Project Gotham Racing 4 - 87.1%

Basically the first thing I'm seeing is that I made the right choice with PGR2. The next thing I'm seeing is that PGR4 is getting less love than PGR3 (the only one I should really be comparing to since they are both on 360). Granted, there may be a whole lot more reviews to come for PGR4, but I'm not holding my breath.

Seems the things I personally loved about 2 are just not present. Maybe I should pick up PGR3 for cheap instead. I think that one is set up the same as 1 & 2 (the ability to replay levels whenever you like). I assume that will keep me out of the loop as far as multiplayer goes though.

Please, if you've played 4 (or 3 even) and made it this far, reply if you have a minute and understand what I'm trying to decide.
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[B3NBO]

Yeah i've seen a few reviews they haven't praised it much at all except for OXM UK which gave it 10/10. It looks like a decent game but i personally will be waiting a few months until i can find it for $20 in the EB bargain bins, which is what happened with PGR3. PGR2 and 3 are both great in my opinion though. This one can wait with all the other big titles coming out soon.

[Klawrence]

To be honest i was majorly disappointed with PGR3. I like you Theory, originally bought PGR2 and loved the heck out of it, i remember how awesome it was to unlock cars all the way up to the ENZO then take it for a spin around Sydney harbor chilling to my own custom tunes. Sure PGR3 has the graphics and the cars, but there is no sense of achievement and such little variation in the tracks that, for me, the game was a bore to even finish. PGR3 disappointed me so much, i couldn't have considered buying it's next installment, no matter how attractive those weather effects look. Its a shame to hear that the game isn't that dissimilar from PGR3 otherwise i may have given the series the benefit of a doubt.

[Spanca]

As Klawrence said, PGR3 was a major step back for the series. PGR2 was by far the most complete one we've got in terms of cars and depth of the career mode. PGR3 was a shallow rush for launch, that while it looked pretty, was a big disappointment.

Then as Benbo said, you know this will be about 30% off by Christmas, and half price or less after then. If you don't feel a huge need to play it at launch, just wait and save yourself massive damage to the wallet.
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[Sin Ogaris]

I'd just like to mention, the difference between 93% and 87% is pretty negligible. Be thankful it's not at like, 56% or something.

[James]

It's still very early though - big sites tend to give higher scores, so expect PGR4's rating to drop over time.

[A13x]

I'm enjoying this instalment, and find the bikes to be great fun, especially as you are often racing against cars.

There is a demo up now on the XBLM at 1.27Gb for those who want to give it a try btw.

The only thing I am disappointed with is that there is no longer a showroom where you can go and look at/test drive all the cars, instead you need to use the kudos you earned to buy them in packs.
As for the campaign mode, I prefer the calendar system to the PGR3 campaign.

Achievements come pretty plentiful, and in under 4 hours I had unlocked 18 achievements and 450GS. though there are some more fun ones, like buying a gamerpicture for 1000000 kudos to get it, and 3 "puzzles" which don't specify the requirements and you need to figure them out for yourself.

On the whole I'm having a blast, and if you're a fan of the series, go in expecting more of the same, with a few nice additions. One of the more beautiful next gen titles I've played, even if it is only rendered at 640p.
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<3

[Passa]

Hmm.. I've only ever played Project Gotham Racing (the original) and I loved it, and to be honest I'm dying to pick up PGR4. Could you possibly elaborate on your gripes with it theory? I don't understand exactly what you mean..

500th post, weee..
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Xbox 360 Gamertag + Xfire Username + PlayStation Network ID: Passa91

[ohayes]

I own PGR4 and it is the best PGR in the series in my opinion and my last favourite was PGR2.

If you think that PGR2 and 3 were worth buying, this one is definitely worth getting

there's the new Career mode and its great (I am really enjoying it), but there's also the Arcade mode which is more similar to how the old PGR functions so you get the best of both worlds in my opinion.


Personally I am really digging the career mode, I usually win all my races but now I dont feel like I have to win all the races because you're competing on the leadership board and you can still get points and rank up even if you come 2nd or 3rd in some tournaments. It's not so important anymore to race perfectly. I'm not the best driver so the game is pretty accessible to me and I am having a lot of fun with it. They also mix it up by having special race events where if you complete the challenge you get a special car, like for instance tonight I played an awesome challenge where you race an ELECTRIC CAR against a Ferrari Testarossa and its loads of fun.


I have been sticking to the cars but tonight I gave my first test drive of the bikes and they're really awesome and you wont believe how wonderful they look and feel to drive especially in the virtual cockpit view, the sensation of speed is incredible and they are really twitchy, they totally nailed the feeling of racing bikes.

I played multiplayer last night against some guys from singapore and it was a lot of fun, even though I was really bad at it.

There's plenty to enjoy here, it is the ultimate evolution of the PGR series and you not only get the Career Mode, you get the traditional Arcade Mode, Motorbikes, lots of new cars from a wide spectrum, better graphics, new weather system and new tracks.

If you like PGR, you'd be nuts having second thoughts about this game, it is in my opinion the best racing game released to date on the Xbox 360 (and on any system, but I admit I prefer PGR to Gran Turismo) and it has the best graphics for a racing game ever.

If you buy PGR3 instead of this, you're selling yourself short, PGR3 isnt half the game this is.
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[theory]

Firstly, thanks everyone for responding.

[poweroffarts]

When's the official release date, anyone? I thought its november.
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[A13x]

Was meant to be Thursday.
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<3

[ohayes]

no offense but if you're going to what are really minor issues get in the way of you enjoying what is a really fantastic racing game you're selling yourself short, try the demo out and decide for yourself
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[RAMPAGE]

I dont know if im gonna get this game. Hopefully they release a demo so i can try it out.

[A13x]

-_-

[slapshakle]

Tell me more about Geometry Wars: Waves please.

I loved PGR3 so buying this is a must.
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PlayAsia Affiliate

[A13x]

Geo Wars Waves graphically is like Retro Evolved, however from what I've played, you don't have any spare lives and I'm yet to see any bombs.

In addition to the regular enemies (some new additions), there are lines of them that spawn on each side of the screen and sweep across to the other, while trying to take down a lot of enemies, these waves prove especially dangerous.

I'm having trouble scoring over 150000
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<3

[RAMPAGE]

[Capoeira]

So would those of you who have played both PGR3 and now PGR4 say that PGR4 is the game PSG3 should have been had it not been for the rushed launch development?

I've never played a PGR game before so I'm thinking if 4 is a more fully fleshed out next gen PGR, it might be time I checked it out. Plus the new Geo Wars is a bonus, but I'd hate to think I'd pick up a $100 game for an arcade title. That would be so, so sad.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Newbie]

^^Apparently its $79 at JB so don't pay $100 anywhere mate.

[slapshakle]

[ohayes]

[phatmike128]

just picked it up at JB. Can't play yet though.. really need to get some uni project work done
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viva la revolution!

[Capoeira]

[theory]