Hi All
We Badgers normally avoid motor vehicles where possible as the usual result of an encounter with them is often an unfortunate one. Only last week I found myself crossing a remote country road to visit a flat mate. (...... tumble weed..... erm.. ok then.)
Running against this stereotype I finally found myself giving in to the urge to buy GT4 after many months of futile resistance. I knew Id get it eventually of course having enjoyed GT3 so much, but I was waiting for the price to come down a little more than it has and figured that the recent appearance of the Xbox 360 as well as next years impending arrival of PS3 on the scene might well have prompted some kind of push to sell as much of the current software as possible before folk stop looking at it in favour of the new kid on the block.
Well so far that does not seem to be the case, but none the less I was able to find a slightly cheaper copy on the high street and decided that Id waited long enough.
Im quite pleased with it so far although Ive yet to do much more than scratch its surface.
I like the new interface better even if it is rather more convoluted and there seem to be many more options than we had to play with before. Id have to be honest and say that I didnt really think that the graphics were that much of a leap forward despite the barrel loads of praise heaped upon them in various articles Ive read. Perhaps theyre a little crisper? But then again I always thought that GT3s visuals were pretty amazing and Im doubtless missing out on nice little touches which are more evident to card carrying petrol heads than to us Sunday drivers.
Which doesnt mean to say that I dont think that the graphics are terrific, because I do and is it my imagination or do they move faster then they did before? Certainly the feeling of speed seems to be increased since GT3.
One thing which has definitely stayed the same, is that I was crap at GT3 and Im still crap at GT4! If anything things are even worse as I barely managed to claw my way through the domestic B license tests with a bare minimum bronze award for each one. Which Im embarrassed to admit to you included at least ten attempts at following the lead car around the Laguna Seca Raceway before I managed to complete a lap on the track! Let alone do it within the minimum time frame.
In my defense I should point out that Im pretty sure that the physics engine employed here makes things harder than last time around. But since this change also brings with it a real sense of OUCH when you hit something, Im certainly not going to complain.
I was also really pleased to see the computer AI making mistakes! Something that I never saw in GT3, although maybe I just missed it.
If only the developers had included proper damage modeling then my joy would be complete. But then I expect that many of the manufacturers they have fought hard to get licenses from, would be less then thrilled to see their babies running around the track looking anything less than pristine.
In any case my terrible lack of skill is handicap enough without the added restriction of not being able to use the cars ahead as impromptu crash barriers to help me around some of the tighter bends and an engine which forced me to drive without these dubious tactics would probably maroon me forever in the becalmed waters of the beginners events.
My pitiful performance in emerging from the B license test with bronzes all around, was rewarded by an equally pitiful prize in the form of a Volkswagen Lupo 1.4 in which to take the first steps on the road to my eventual rise to fame and fortune in GTs world. Although Pitiful Lupo is perhaps rather a rash statement as Im only assuming that the prize car is better for a silver or gold result.
In any case I cant complain as;
A: I dont remember getting given a car at all for pasing the tests in GT3 and;
B: I didnt have to use it in any case, as I was able to transfer enough funds across from my previous save to buy a rather tasty second hand 276 BHP Toyota Supra which is much nippier around the track as well as being a lot easier on the eye.
Im not sure that this was the best car to choose first off, but I freely admit that my selection method in the absence of any real knowledge about cars, may have lacked a certain scientific validity.
Ie: 1/ Shortlist to models with 200 bhp or higher.
2/ Discard any from that list which dont look hot.
3/ Pick the cheapest from those which are left in order to leave funds for upgrades if
needed.
Anyway I guess Ive warbled on for long enough, so if its ok with you Id like to leave you with a couple of questions which if the above scribbling has not already done so, will definitely betray my general ignorance in GT gameplay.
(With hopes that these are not questions too often repeated previously, I might have missed them in my brief scanning of the FAQs)
1/ I cant seem to find the option to qualify and as such I start each race at the back of the rolling pack.
2/ In the various showrooms, many of the cars shown have dashes instead of prices. Does this mean that they can only be won rather then bought?
3/ The screenshots on the pack of the case show a vintage car (1940s?) but where are these cars within the game? (Thought it might be fun to have an Arcade bash with these fellas but couldnt see how to do it.)
4/ I notice that mileage is a factor when buying a second hand car. Will the price of my Supra go down as I put more miles on the clock?
Many thanks for any and all advice.
All the best
Badger
We Badgers normally avoid motor vehicles where possible as the usual result of an encounter with them is often an unfortunate one. Only last week I found myself crossing a remote country road to visit a flat mate. (...... tumble weed..... erm.. ok then.)
Running against this stereotype I finally found myself giving in to the urge to buy GT4 after many months of futile resistance. I knew Id get it eventually of course having enjoyed GT3 so much, but I was waiting for the price to come down a little more than it has and figured that the recent appearance of the Xbox 360 as well as next years impending arrival of PS3 on the scene might well have prompted some kind of push to sell as much of the current software as possible before folk stop looking at it in favour of the new kid on the block.
Well so far that does not seem to be the case, but none the less I was able to find a slightly cheaper copy on the high street and decided that Id waited long enough.
Im quite pleased with it so far although Ive yet to do much more than scratch its surface.
I like the new interface better even if it is rather more convoluted and there seem to be many more options than we had to play with before. Id have to be honest and say that I didnt really think that the graphics were that much of a leap forward despite the barrel loads of praise heaped upon them in various articles Ive read. Perhaps theyre a little crisper? But then again I always thought that GT3s visuals were pretty amazing and Im doubtless missing out on nice little touches which are more evident to card carrying petrol heads than to us Sunday drivers.
Which doesnt mean to say that I dont think that the graphics are terrific, because I do and is it my imagination or do they move faster then they did before? Certainly the feeling of speed seems to be increased since GT3.
One thing which has definitely stayed the same, is that I was crap at GT3 and Im still crap at GT4! If anything things are even worse as I barely managed to claw my way through the domestic B license tests with a bare minimum bronze award for each one. Which Im embarrassed to admit to you included at least ten attempts at following the lead car around the Laguna Seca Raceway before I managed to complete a lap on the track! Let alone do it within the minimum time frame.
In my defense I should point out that Im pretty sure that the physics engine employed here makes things harder than last time around. But since this change also brings with it a real sense of OUCH when you hit something, Im certainly not going to complain.
I was also really pleased to see the computer AI making mistakes! Something that I never saw in GT3, although maybe I just missed it.
If only the developers had included proper damage modeling then my joy would be complete. But then I expect that many of the manufacturers they have fought hard to get licenses from, would be less then thrilled to see their babies running around the track looking anything less than pristine.
In any case my terrible lack of skill is handicap enough without the added restriction of not being able to use the cars ahead as impromptu crash barriers to help me around some of the tighter bends and an engine which forced me to drive without these dubious tactics would probably maroon me forever in the becalmed waters of the beginners events.
My pitiful performance in emerging from the B license test with bronzes all around, was rewarded by an equally pitiful prize in the form of a Volkswagen Lupo 1.4 in which to take the first steps on the road to my eventual rise to fame and fortune in GTs world. Although Pitiful Lupo is perhaps rather a rash statement as Im only assuming that the prize car is better for a silver or gold result.
In any case I cant complain as;
A: I dont remember getting given a car at all for pasing the tests in GT3 and;
B: I didnt have to use it in any case, as I was able to transfer enough funds across from my previous save to buy a rather tasty second hand 276 BHP Toyota Supra which is much nippier around the track as well as being a lot easier on the eye.
Im not sure that this was the best car to choose first off, but I freely admit that my selection method in the absence of any real knowledge about cars, may have lacked a certain scientific validity.
Ie: 1/ Shortlist to models with 200 bhp or higher.
2/ Discard any from that list which dont look hot.
3/ Pick the cheapest from those which are left in order to leave funds for upgrades if
needed.
Anyway I guess Ive warbled on for long enough, so if its ok with you Id like to leave you with a couple of questions which if the above scribbling has not already done so, will definitely betray my general ignorance in GT gameplay.
(With hopes that these are not questions too often repeated previously, I might have missed them in my brief scanning of the FAQs)
1/ I cant seem to find the option to qualify and as such I start each race at the back of the rolling pack.
2/ In the various showrooms, many of the cars shown have dashes instead of prices. Does this mean that they can only be won rather then bought?
3/ The screenshots on the pack of the case show a vintage car (1940s?) but where are these cars within the game? (Thought it might be fun to have an Arcade bash with these fellas but couldnt see how to do it.)
4/ I notice that mileage is a factor when buying a second hand car. Will the price of my Supra go down as I put more miles on the clock?
Many thanks for any and all advice.
All the best
Badger
