http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/gt4_051403_9.jpg

As GT3 was the game to get when purchasing a ps2, GT4 looks and plays beautifully according to everything I've read so far.


Todd

Ooooh, the anticipation.....

I've never played the series (or many driving games) but this one looks very tempting.

I've been waiting for this game for a loooong time :D

Since I don't have a PS2, the upcoming Forza Motorsport is the one I'm jonesin' for. I need a realism yin to complement the Burnout3 yang. :)

That picture. . . all I can picture is Bugs Bunny driving off the cliff. Nice looking game though.

I have it pre-ordered and picking it up tomorrow night!! Been waiting a long ass time for this one...

I prefer the simplicity that is GeneRally!

i just shit on myself. what day will it be in stores?

my brother has had it pre-ordered since last july..

i just shit on myself. what day will it be in stores?

my brother has had it pre-ordered since last july..

Called gamestop (where I have it pre-ordered) and they said they are picking up their shipment tomorrow and it will be available after 5:00. If you bought it online then it probably ships tomorrow...

I've never enjoyed this series because the AI drivers never put up a fight. They're just out for a drive. If they beat you, great, if they lose to you, great! Maybe this version will be different.

I've never enjoyed this series because the AI drivers never put up a fight. They're just out for a drive. If they beat you, great, if they lose to you, great! Maybe this version will be different.

This is the only thing I found about the AI:

Races in the import version of Gran Turismo 4 will feel familiar to fans of the series--especially where the opponent AI is concerned--though a few noticeable tweaks have been made. While it is still possible to "bumper-car" your way to the head of a race within the first few turns (assuming your ride has the muscle), we noticed several instances of the AI racers battling for position in our rearview mirror. Once again, AI-controlled cars seem to generally follow similar racing lines--though, to be fair, we noticed some cars actually go off line and kick up dust on some tracks. As has always been the case with the series, your main competition in GT4 will be against each car's unique, realistic handling--which provides for a challenge each time you sit behind the wheel--and against yourself, as you look to beat old records in the quest to add zeroes to your bank account.

I have to say I enjoy more arcadey racers where the AI cars will fight you tooth and nail. I really enjoyed Rumble Racing. Too bad there was no sequel... And EA is supposed to be the king of sequels!

GT was always pretty but it seemed to get boring quickly. More a vehicle (pardon the pun) to show off Playstation power. It seemed to get boring once you tired of the cool graphics but those have always been cutting edge.

SI

What's most impressive about this thread is that ABC found an obscure, single-post thread by Todd from 21 months ago. Good sleuthing, ABC!

Toca Racing.

'nuff said.

Toca Racing.

'nuff said.

I was reading up on this earlier and it looked interesting... can you elaborate?

What's most impressive about this thread is that ABC found an obscure, single-post thread by Todd from 21 months ago. Good sleuthing, ABC!*takes a bow*

I'd be more excited for this one if they hadn't first added, and then removed, online play.

I mean, what the fuck -- "print your own screenshots from a USB printer" is a more exciting feature than "race people online who are thousands of miles away"?

I had to think... when did I start this thread? :D


Todd

The one thing that turned me off Gran Turismo is the no damage to cars. How can you call yourself a simulation, and have no damage?? I understand why they can't damage cars (manufacturers don't want people to see their cars "damaged" :rolleyes:), but that was a huge turnoff for me. I played the first two a bit... but that's it.

However, the driving simulation really is top-notch.

I can't believe I had forgotten about this game when I gave my PS2 to my brother. I has just bought an Xbox and barely ever played my PS2, so I just gave it to my brother. Son of a bitch....

You can still play TCY Scoobz.

Wow, I might finally dust off my PS2.

ima go pick this up in like 2 hours! hopefully BB will have it.

/drools

I'd be more excited for this one if they hadn't first added, and then removed, online play.

I mean, what the fuck -- "print your own screenshots from a USB printer" is a more exciting feature than "race people online who are thousands of miles away"?
While I mirror your sentiment, if the reason it was pulled was because they simply couldn't get it right, then I applaud that decision.

I'd rather have no online play than the hype and expectation of online play that is essentially unplayable.

I was reading up on this earlier and it looked interesting... can you elaborate?

Car damage for starters, great stuff in Toca. The choice in vehicles to drive is awesome, single player storyline is pretty good.

I'll post more later when I have time, both are great games, but I'll take Toca anyday.

Car damage for starters, great stuff in Toca. The choice in vehicles to drive is awesome, single player storyline is pretty good.

I'll post more later when I have time, both are great games, but I'll take Toca anyday.

Is this available for X-Box (just for you SA:))? If so, is this TOCA 2 (which is what I saw when poking around) or just TOCA?

I'd like to pick this up after work tomorrow - any info is appreciated.

So, has anybody played GT4 yet?

I was told by my gamestop that it wasn't going to be here until this evening.

I got the game last night around 8:00 and played for about 2 hours. I have to be honest and say I was pretty disappointed. The game play is pretty much the same as GT 3 - if you’re are going around the corner and you’re inside of a car or two then there is no reason the brake - just nail them of course and your car will adjust itself perfectly around the corner. If you like an arcadish racing game then you might enjoy it. There are tons of cars to choose from in the beginning. All of them are 1990-1999 makes but it doesn’t take long at all to upgrade your car enough to beat the beginning AI cars (of course, with the above strategy). After a couple hours I was like, eh - looks like I’m taking this game back for either MVP/EPSN baseball games or Fight Night 2. Just wasn’t my cup of tea...

I know I’m not a good reviewer of games but this was just my opinion after playing GT 4 for a couple hours...

TOCA RACE DRIVER 2 vs Gran Tourismo

Although Gran Tourismo is a fantastic looking game, the lack of damage models for the cars takes away from the realism. In TOCA 2, not only can you damage your car, but it affects the way the car drives (not necessarily a new feature amongst racing games, but not always implemented, or implemented well). Gran Tourismo has a damage
modification feature as well, but it is phantom damage that is never actually seen on the car. You will never lose a tire in Gran Tourismo.

You can lose any and all tires in TOCA 2. Or hub caps. And all windows, and doors, and hoods, etc. Or you can just crumple the shit out of the parts. Not as much as the previous version of the game (TOCA Race Driver) where you could pretty much lose all tires, the outer shell of the car and all windows....basically driving on the rims...sparks
shooting everywhere (fun to watch on the playback). But the new version has real vehicles, with realistic damage. Also, the damaged parts that fall off the cars stay on the track and become obstacles.

I don't think I have ever been able to roll a car in Gran Tourismo. You can in Toca... sometimes, you do. I am not saying that you should want to do this, of course. But it is fun to do so when you don't actually get hurt doing it.

Various vehicles including open wheel formula racing (one of the most enjoyable racing types), Rally driving, and Semi (!?) racing, street racing, formula, blah, blah, blah. Drive a mustang, a Jag, A Suburu Impreza, a souped up Model A Ford, and a pile of other vehicle types. Drive from cockpit view, to third person (vehicle), to strapped-to-the-bumper view. I believe further variations are possible with regards to distance from the car in third person.

Reflections on the car are real, as in the vehicle surface reflects actual surroundings. This looks really impressive in the cockpit viewpoint, where you can see the signs and trees reflecting off the hood of the car. The roads struck me as well rendered too. You can see reflective differences in the road, where spots a more worn than others, and where the sun might have melted small areas of the tar.

The playback of the race afterward is always a pleasure. Even more fun when you are watching to see where you lost a wheel, or when the spoiler on your vehicle got knocked off, etc.

The online multiplayer racing is enjoyable, but don't expect to win any races right off the bat. There are a fair number of experienced and skilled drivers out there. Most of these individuals have their vehicles well tuned, and know the tracks well.

The locations are well rendered and the tracks challenging. The single player mode is entertaining because it actually puts you into a bit of a storyline with fun characters.

To top it off, the game works beautifully with a racing wheel controller! Incremental gas and brake control included!

I admit that beyond the damage modelling, Gran Tourismo may be equal to TOCA 2...or better in some ways. And if you can have both games, you should. But I would have to pick T2 over Gran Tourismo if only for the damage modelling.

Go here if you want to know more:
http://www.codemasters.co.uk/tocaracedriver2/

The wife brought this home for me yesterday. Beautiful looking game. Yes the game play is pretty much the same, but it is racing and that is what it is what it is and is what it is as it is what it is. :P

Love the game though, always been a fan of GT. Just wish I had some more time with it, gonna have to leave for work tonight and I don't really like taking the PS2 on the road much anymore. Going from a 53" screen to a 9" screen kind of takes some adjusting, and the bumpy ride can adds an added level of difficulty I can do without.

Anyways, playing a little right now and enjoying it. Right now my 5 year old daughter is getting beat by a '49 VW Bug.

Wow, I might finally dust off my PS2.
Finally got this as it dropped down to $20 at one time or another :D

Finally got this as it dropped down to $20 at one time or another :D

Last week.

And as soon as we get it back in stock at work, I'm picking it up for the same reason.