I'm currently sat watching a motor race on television, more specifically a replay of a motor race. In the field are several Le Mans winners; an Audi R8, Bentley EXP Speed 8, Mazda 787B and a Jaguar XJR-9 and, fittingly enough, the race took place at a sun soaked La Sarthe. It's been nail biting nip and tuck stuff with the occasional big accident but full of tidy driving and sound pit strategy. In the end it's a narrow win for the Audi R8.
The odd thing about this race is that I was in it; even more remarkable is the fact that I was driving the R8. So has this humble hack landed the race driver contract to end all contracts? Well, no. In spite of the fact I've been marvelling at the downforce enhanced handling, jaw dropping straight line speed and stupefying brakes on a variety of the world's greatest circuits, including the Nürburgring, I haven't.
Ladies, Gentlemen (more relevantly) and, perhaps even more importantly, children: I present Gran Turismo 4. Yes, a computer game. But dismiss it as such and you're denying yourself a whole world of fun and pleasure. Developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts this homage to the motorcar is, as the name suggests, the 4th version of the phenomenon that has been Gran Turismo, or GT to its fans.
This game is marketed as "The ultimate driving experience" and to ensure it lives up to this tag it features 700 cars each individually modelled to reflect the real cars' physical attributes down to handling characteristics and noise. A huge range of tracks is available from small loops to the Nordschleife and a variety of surfaces are included: dry and wet tarmac, snow, dirt and ice.
The driving interface works well on the standard controller with analogue inputs for throttle, brake and steering. True fans can go a step further with a pedal set-up and force feedback steering wheel to immerse yourself further into the experience.
GT4 offers the same instant play arcade mode to dice with friends on a split screen or LAN connection. The real joy, however, lies in the full GT mode where one takes driving tests of increasing difficulty in order to gain a license to go racing. You then buy a car and hit the track. The racing is always intense and the artificial intelligence (AI) ensures if you decide to rough it up you're repaid in kind. You have to be smooth and precise: lock up and eat gravel, too slow and you'll be outbraked.
Various driver aids are available until you get the knack of it but GT veterans will switch these off early to enjoy sliding cars around and having to grapple with understeer. Win a race to win some money. A race series victory nets more cash plus a new car. And so it goes on in your quest to be the champion and hit that elusive 100% completion that only the most committed will ever see (their reward is a Formula 1 car to play with).
Where GT4 scores is not just in the amazing physics and their accuracy but also in the exceptional graphics. A real boon is the way the game teaches you to drive a variety of cars as you work your way through the various machinery and it takes a long time to get into supercars. You can't skip straight into the big stuff and it's this big dangly carrot that truly makes the game un-put-down-able. You're always striving to win the next race to make the next step up.
GT4 is a cult classic. Millions of copies will be sole worldwide, even more when the long promised Internet link up arrives and allows 6 racers to go head to head in real time. If you like cars, like driving or just like good computer games then this is a must, but beware GT4 is a girlfriend losing game. It sucks you in and doesn't let go until you've crossed that last finishing line, heart beating, palms sweating and brain aching from the effort.
Dave Jenkins - 18 Apr 2005
