The greatest racing game ever made.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Cars, B-Spec, Photomode, A-spec points, track selection, 1080i, digital sound, 900 degree steering

Cons: AI, online only with xlink hack, no damage/flipped cars, no Porsche/Ferrari/Lamborghini yet.

The Bottom Line: 
This game should be played as follows: 1080i widescreen Driving Force Pro Optical output on PS2 What are you waiting for? Go buy the game!

Author's Review
It's hard to live up to titles and slogans (i.e. The real driving simulator). Somehow, Gran Turismo 4 managed to exceed many of my expectations about this game. Here's how I'm playing this game:

1080i on a 46" widescreen
Dolby Digital Pro Logic II
Driving Force Pro

This game is the most realistic car simulation that currently exists. The physics modeling effort put into each car definitely shows and many people in the gran turismo community have reported accurate modeling of their own cars in real life within the game. The list of cars is immense. Everything from your everyday Honda Civic to the Pagani Zonda is available for purchase or as a prize car for winning a race. This game is definitely not for people who are looking for an arcade game. It's more for people who would like to drive and experience (virtually) all of the cars they will never buy or be able to afford. With the real owners of Toyota MR2s, Honda S2000s, etc attesting to the game accuracy of handling and sound this game could also act as a mid-life crisis tool for those of us who absolutely must drive a sports car before we die (and can't afford one).

The graphics in 1080i mode look noticeably smoother than the regular and 480p modes. The sounds have been improved in this iteration of the series; however, they could still use a little bit more oomph. The AI still drives their own driving lines though I do like how the game sometimes makes the AI extra aggressive in their driving causing them to spin out or go a little bit off course. The physics have improved dramatically, especially with the DFP set to simulation mode with no steering assist and force feedback set to mild. Put regular "street" tires on the car, disable TCM (traction control management), ASM (active stability management) and you'll swear you're driving in real life. I'm glad they removed ABS from all cars since on a race track this is usually turned off or disabled. For skilled drivers, no ABS is the most efficient way to brake.

They went a little overboard with how much the car leans during acceleration/braking/turning for cars with a stock suspension. But this is just a nit as once you put on an aftermarket suspension it will stiffen up. The music has mostly forgettable tracks with a few standouts from whichever genre you prefer. The license tests are back, though it seems like they made the bronze times more forgiving (finally!) for those of us who don't care about getting all golds. I've completed up to my International-B license without too much struggle though I'm dreading the I-A and S license tests.

One of the greatest additions to the game has to be both B-Spec and Photomode. B-Spec allows you to farm credits so you don't have to worry about saving up for car parts or cars. It also allows you to show off the game to your friends while earning credits! You can also speed up the race by 3x so it's all over before you know it. There is a little bit of race management here, but once you're in 1st place it's pretty much over for the computer cars. If you don't have a USB flash memory drive go out and get one right now! Photomode supports taking pictures of your car in game (both stationary and on track) and saving it to a USB card. Just make sure you keep your receipt as there are certain models that aren't compatible with the PS2. Searching the threads at http://www.gtplanet.net might help you pick a model. I have a PNY technologies 128MB Attaché that works just fine for me. Amazingly, the amount of concentration required in this game is similar to real life driving. Just one lapse of concentration at maximum speed on a track can result in spinning out, hitting the wall, losing a position, etc. The A-spec points specified in each race let you determine whether or not your tuned car will eat the competition or barely keep up. If you're even remotely interested in driving a huge library of cars/tracks, run out and get this game now!