GamerNode: Reviews - Project Gotham Racing 4

Project Gotham Racing 4

• Project Gotham Racing 4
• Xbox 360
• Bizarre Creations
• Microsoft Games
• October 02nd, 2007

As the year 2005 began turning the corner for a new lap, Microsoft released their new ultra-successful console along with a few hit and (mostly) miss game titles. Among one of the hits was the ever-expansive Project Gotham Racing 3. This new chapter in the PGR series was ultimately praised for its countless features and jump to high definition, while keeping the tried and true formula the same. While some people might wonder why we'd need yet another racing title for our 360, Bizarre Creations has delivered yet another sequel to our TV screens with Project Gotham Racing 4.

I'll say this right now: PGR4 doesn't change much up from the previous version, so if you've played PGR3, you already know what to expect from the core. That being said, there's a lot to love in this new rendition, especially if this is your first visit to the world of Project Gotham. Everything from the race tracks, to the vehicles, to the overflow of game modes is incredibly polished and helps keep the monotony of constantly racing at bay.

All of the five cities that were featured in the last game make an appearance in PGR4, along with the four brand new locations, Shanghai, St. Petersburg, Quebec, and Macau. Each city incorporates a number of different paths, which make up the various circuits. The new ones feel fresh, while the old tracks have been redone, stepping away from the simple, flat designs of the previous game. With each new locale, you're presented with a distinctive visual theme; Vegas looks lively and colorful, while Macau is more scenic and open.

The magic of Gotham truly comes alive when you step behind the wheel. Though the gameplay hasn't really changed from the past versions, it didn't have to. Any avid racing fan is sure to enjoy speeding around, since PGR4 so delicately combines the greater aspects of simulation and arcade racing styles. While the main goal is to finish the race in first place, it's crucial to try and rack up as many "kudos" as you can during the match. By launching your car into the air, performing drifts, and drafting behind opponents you earn major kudos, which are ultimately used as a form of currency to purchase new cars and tracks. When you start mixing these slick moves into a more casual simulation style control system, the result is somewhere between playing Ridge Racer and Forza 2.

A pretty intense and intricate element Bizarre Creations tossed into this edition of Project Gotham is the new weather system. Before each race, there will be an indication of what type of weather patterns you'll be experiencing during your drive. It can be anything from a hailstorm to drizzling rain to a partially cloudy day. But the most dynamic aspect is how the weather can change in real-time, while affecting the course you're driving on. Your race may start out nice and dry, but halfway through begin to rain. By the end of the race, there may be puddles in the road that cause you to hydroplane if you move fast enough over them. The changing weather alters just enough to be noticeable on the track, but not so much as to completely hamper your current driving style.

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