Gran Turismo 4
New detals and gorgeous screenshots, anyone?
Published: January 19, 2004
When we first brought you coverage on just how the development of Gran Turismo 4 was coming along, we gave you a nifty little rundown of the game's graphical and gameplay enhancements over GT3, all experienced first-hand at the Sony Gamers' Day event. Now, months later, and with the game's release date pushed back to the summer of 2004, we figured we'd give you a bit of insight on the latest goodies being cooked up by the team at Polyphony Digital, as well as provide a little eye candy via a batch of the newest and sharpest screenshots of GT4 to surface. Once again, prepare to be in awe.
To begin with the gameplay aspects, GT4 will feature three race modes for players to choose from. First is the pick-up-and-play Arcade Mode, where gamers will be able to square off against each other or AI racers on select courses. Next, and undoubtedly the most immense mode of gameplay, is the acclaimed Simulation Mode, which starts you from the bottom of the barrel, and has you working your way up the racing chain by competing in an assortment of championships. The path to success is a rewarding one, for along the way, players will earn money, unlock new vehicles, upgrade parts, as well as be able to sell their tired but true cars and buy snazzier ones. Rounding out the three gameplay modes is the brand new Online Arena. Fans of GT3 who yearned to take their tricked-out vehicles online against some heated competition will be thrilled to know that GT4's Online Arena features head-to-head racing with up to six players per race. Accompanying the online gameplay will be slick features such as chat functionality and in-depth menu screen for the ability to build communities to, you know, chat with the fellas about all that is automobile related. As fans of the franchise have come to expect, all vehicles will be fully customizable, giving players the ability to practically construct their dream car and take it for a spin.
Although we spent more than enough time praising the groundbreaking graphical features and physics of Gran Turismo 4 (it's all true, you know) in our previous coverage, we wanted to reassure you all a bit with some factual numbers from SCEA itself. Bear with us, here: each vehicle in GT4 will have more than 4,000 polygons of visual detail to it, meaning even the most minute feature on a real-life vehicle will be duplicated in the game. Expect jaw-dropping landscapes to be present in the game's 50+ courses, including New York City, the Grand Canyon, and the Tsukuba Race Circuit. The replay mode, which allows players to watch the race they just completed via various camera angles, has been tweaked and refined even more, and the game's graphics in entirety will be of broadcast quality. And who said GT3 couldn't be topped?
The hype is doubtlessly building as each day GT4's release approaches, and although its delay is a bit of a letdown, we'll now have the treat of giving the game a test drive first-hand at E3 2004 this May. Now, we know you've been waiting for this moment: feel free yourselves to some visual ecstasy by viewing the 50+ screenshots of the game we have on-hand for your viewing pleasure. You can thank us later.
To begin with the gameplay aspects, GT4 will feature three race modes for players to choose from. First is the pick-up-and-play Arcade Mode, where gamers will be able to square off against each other or AI racers on select courses. Next, and undoubtedly the most immense mode of gameplay, is the acclaimed Simulation Mode, which starts you from the bottom of the barrel, and has you working your way up the racing chain by competing in an assortment of championships. The path to success is a rewarding one, for along the way, players will earn money, unlock new vehicles, upgrade parts, as well as be able to sell their tired but true cars and buy snazzier ones. Rounding out the three gameplay modes is the brand new Online Arena. Fans of GT3 who yearned to take their tricked-out vehicles online against some heated competition will be thrilled to know that GT4's Online Arena features head-to-head racing with up to six players per race. Accompanying the online gameplay will be slick features such as chat functionality and in-depth menu screen for the ability to build communities to, you know, chat with the fellas about all that is automobile related. As fans of the franchise have come to expect, all vehicles will be fully customizable, giving players the ability to practically construct their dream car and take it for a spin.
Although we spent more than enough time praising the groundbreaking graphical features and physics of Gran Turismo 4 (it's all true, you know) in our previous coverage, we wanted to reassure you all a bit with some factual numbers from SCEA itself. Bear with us, here: each vehicle in GT4 will have more than 4,000 polygons of visual detail to it, meaning even the most minute feature on a real-life vehicle will be duplicated in the game. Expect jaw-dropping landscapes to be present in the game's 50+ courses, including New York City, the Grand Canyon, and the Tsukuba Race Circuit. The replay mode, which allows players to watch the race they just completed via various camera angles, has been tweaked and refined even more, and the game's graphics in entirety will be of broadcast quality. And who said GT3 couldn't be topped?
The hype is doubtlessly building as each day GT4's release approaches, and although its delay is a bit of a letdown, we'll now have the treat of giving the game a test drive first-hand at E3 2004 this May. Now, we know you've been waiting for this moment: feel free yourselves to some visual ecstasy by viewing the 50+ screenshots of the game we have on-hand for your viewing pleasure. You can thank us later.
