After playing GT4 for some time now, I've recently had the chance to play 2 other driving/racing games, Enthusia Professional Racing (PS2) & GT-R (PC). Each of these games is worth looking at for a number of reasons. I just wanted to make a brief comparison between these games and GT4 in a number of areas.
Cars
In terms of numbers, GT4 will always win, with something in the range of 700 cars, even if many of those are variations on similar models (20+ Nissan Skylines for example). Enthusia has around 200 or so and each game does an excellent job of representing a wide range of automotive styles and technology. GT-R in comparison has something in the region of 16 or so cars, with others possibly on the way due to downloadable content and the mod community. Its worth also pointing out that GT-R is based on the FIA GT license, meaning all vehicles are race ready models, whereas Turismo & Enthusia combine race cars with ordinary consumer road models.
1. GT4
2. Enthusia
3. GT-R
Tracks
GT4 & Enthusia each feature a wide range of tracks, with track design and visual quality high, although GT4 beats Enthusia in comparisons between track quality with tracks that feature in both games. Some credit should go to Enthusia though, which features a range of original tracks that are good looking and interesting to look at, such as the Rev City course. GT-R features fewer tracks and in comparison, the visuals for these tracks suffer. Track numbers are being boosted however, once again thanks to the mod community. It is already possible to download more tracks than actually shipped with the game originally. Visual quality of these differs but I've already found excellent tracks online, either original or interpretations of real tracks.
1. GT4
2. Enthusia
3. GT-R
Driving
When it comes down to the driving experience itself, both GT4 and GT-R are very easy to define. Enthusia however, appears to be stuck in the middle, not sure of whether its an arcade or sim styled racer. Sometimes it feels like it wants to emulate aspects of realism whilst simultaneously dumbing down other aspects of driving. GT4 & GT-R can be made as easy or as difficult to drive as you like, with GT4 being the easier of the two, whilst GT-R is undoubtedly the tougher. However, in both games there is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from driving the cars, which can even be experienced when driving on an empty track. Whilst this experience in GT4 means you'll be shaving fractions of a second off lap records within minutes of play, GT-R instead sees you spending potentially hours getting to know each car before maximising their performance. From my own personal point of view, I prefer the level of difficulty that can be found in GT-R. I can make the game as challenging as I like, whereas attempting to do the same in GT4 reveals what feels like a layer of simplicity that stops things from getting too challenging. However, I understand many may be put off by GT-R. In that regard I can only suggest that people give it a try. The fact that the game can be made as simple as GT4 to drive means that its not beyond the reach of the casual gamer.
1. GT-R
2. GT4
3. Enthusia
Racing
If there's one area where GT4 suffers, this is it. GT4 suffers bad. The pleasure from driving a car on an empty track on GT4 is replaced with frustration and a feeling of simplicity when racing AI drivers. AI drivers in GT4 are completely unaware of your presence on track, so races are in effect against ghost cars, albeit ghost cars with collision. This is terrible, as it results in a train of cars bumping each other around the track. This issue is made worse when looking at elements of the game structure, where its seemingly impossible for the player to enter a competitive race. Either the player has a car thats too powerful, or the AI does. The close racing that players may (if their lucky) experience during the first hour of play quickly evaporates when they access cars with more power.
Enthusia on the other hand improves upon GT4 in many ways. First of all, the AI drivers are fully aware of your presence and will take steps to deal with you, whether is shutting the door in your face when you try to overtake, or keeping clear of you as you dangerously try to outrbrake them into a corner. In addition, an odds system means that players can gauge the level of difficulty in a race before they enter it, as well as rewarding players who win difficult races more than those you race against easy opposition. In addition, a penalty system deducts points from the player when they run wide, hit walls or make contact with AI cars. The game wants you to race cleanly and rewards you for doing so, whereas the racing in GT4 can feel about as authentic as that in Destruction Derby at times.
However, GT-R emerges the victor in this area, by doing many of the things that Enthusia does, as well as including a range of player tailorable options allowing gamers to balance the racing perfectly to suit their ability. Whether its a full range of driving aids, novice AI or invulnerability, its easy to fine tune the game to suit your skill level. And when you do get on track, the racing is exceptional, with AI drivers demonstrating their awareness of both the player and other drivers, drafting you, outbraking you or trying to close off overtaking opportunities. I've lost count of the times I've gone round corners side by side with AI drivers, or made them take a difficult line through a corner, watching their car lose enough exit speed allowing me to pull clear.
1. GT-R
2. Enthusia
3. GT4
Overall
After spending a reasonable amount of time with each game, I believe that GT-R is the best of them, taking into consideration my abilities and my preferred style of driving/racing. GT4 is exceptional in many areas but falls flat in the same areas that blighted the game when it debuted something like 7 years ago. Its nothing short of criminal that the AI has not evolved one jot since players first experienced "The Real Driving Simulator" on their PSX, back when John Major was Prime Minister.
Whilst I would rate Enthusia at the bottom of this pile, it is with some hope for future iterations of the series. They've got lots of cars, they've got lots of tracks and the AI is doing a good job. But its the core experience of driving the car itself that needs to be improved. At times it can feel like a simulation, at others like a bad Ridge Racer clone. This area needs improvement, not the acqusition of more licenses, before it can compete against the Turismo series.
But for me, GT-R ranks first here. It doesnt have the visuals, nor does it have the number of cars or tracks but it has the best driving model by far, as well as exceptional racing. Whether your spending an afternoon driving a Ferrari 360 on an empty Spa Francorchamps, or pitting your Porsche GT in a 30 car race around Monza, it delivers the best overall experience.
Rookie players should not be put off. With a controller (a wheel isnt essential) and a play through the various difficulty levels and simulation modes, anyone would be able to find a balance that suits them, whether you play Burnout or Grand Prix Legends.
Try it and you won't look back.
1. GT-R
2. GT4
3. Enthusia
Cars
In terms of numbers, GT4 will always win, with something in the range of 700 cars, even if many of those are variations on similar models (20+ Nissan Skylines for example). Enthusia has around 200 or so and each game does an excellent job of representing a wide range of automotive styles and technology. GT-R in comparison has something in the region of 16 or so cars, with others possibly on the way due to downloadable content and the mod community. Its worth also pointing out that GT-R is based on the FIA GT license, meaning all vehicles are race ready models, whereas Turismo & Enthusia combine race cars with ordinary consumer road models.
1. GT4
2. Enthusia
3. GT-R
Tracks
GT4 & Enthusia each feature a wide range of tracks, with track design and visual quality high, although GT4 beats Enthusia in comparisons between track quality with tracks that feature in both games. Some credit should go to Enthusia though, which features a range of original tracks that are good looking and interesting to look at, such as the Rev City course. GT-R features fewer tracks and in comparison, the visuals for these tracks suffer. Track numbers are being boosted however, once again thanks to the mod community. It is already possible to download more tracks than actually shipped with the game originally. Visual quality of these differs but I've already found excellent tracks online, either original or interpretations of real tracks.
1. GT4
2. Enthusia
3. GT-R
Driving
When it comes down to the driving experience itself, both GT4 and GT-R are very easy to define. Enthusia however, appears to be stuck in the middle, not sure of whether its an arcade or sim styled racer. Sometimes it feels like it wants to emulate aspects of realism whilst simultaneously dumbing down other aspects of driving. GT4 & GT-R can be made as easy or as difficult to drive as you like, with GT4 being the easier of the two, whilst GT-R is undoubtedly the tougher. However, in both games there is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from driving the cars, which can even be experienced when driving on an empty track. Whilst this experience in GT4 means you'll be shaving fractions of a second off lap records within minutes of play, GT-R instead sees you spending potentially hours getting to know each car before maximising their performance. From my own personal point of view, I prefer the level of difficulty that can be found in GT-R. I can make the game as challenging as I like, whereas attempting to do the same in GT4 reveals what feels like a layer of simplicity that stops things from getting too challenging. However, I understand many may be put off by GT-R. In that regard I can only suggest that people give it a try. The fact that the game can be made as simple as GT4 to drive means that its not beyond the reach of the casual gamer.
1. GT-R
2. GT4
3. Enthusia
Racing
If there's one area where GT4 suffers, this is it. GT4 suffers bad. The pleasure from driving a car on an empty track on GT4 is replaced with frustration and a feeling of simplicity when racing AI drivers. AI drivers in GT4 are completely unaware of your presence on track, so races are in effect against ghost cars, albeit ghost cars with collision. This is terrible, as it results in a train of cars bumping each other around the track. This issue is made worse when looking at elements of the game structure, where its seemingly impossible for the player to enter a competitive race. Either the player has a car thats too powerful, or the AI does. The close racing that players may (if their lucky) experience during the first hour of play quickly evaporates when they access cars with more power.
Enthusia on the other hand improves upon GT4 in many ways. First of all, the AI drivers are fully aware of your presence and will take steps to deal with you, whether is shutting the door in your face when you try to overtake, or keeping clear of you as you dangerously try to outrbrake them into a corner. In addition, an odds system means that players can gauge the level of difficulty in a race before they enter it, as well as rewarding players who win difficult races more than those you race against easy opposition. In addition, a penalty system deducts points from the player when they run wide, hit walls or make contact with AI cars. The game wants you to race cleanly and rewards you for doing so, whereas the racing in GT4 can feel about as authentic as that in Destruction Derby at times.
However, GT-R emerges the victor in this area, by doing many of the things that Enthusia does, as well as including a range of player tailorable options allowing gamers to balance the racing perfectly to suit their ability. Whether its a full range of driving aids, novice AI or invulnerability, its easy to fine tune the game to suit your skill level. And when you do get on track, the racing is exceptional, with AI drivers demonstrating their awareness of both the player and other drivers, drafting you, outbraking you or trying to close off overtaking opportunities. I've lost count of the times I've gone round corners side by side with AI drivers, or made them take a difficult line through a corner, watching their car lose enough exit speed allowing me to pull clear.
1. GT-R
2. Enthusia
3. GT4
Overall
After spending a reasonable amount of time with each game, I believe that GT-R is the best of them, taking into consideration my abilities and my preferred style of driving/racing. GT4 is exceptional in many areas but falls flat in the same areas that blighted the game when it debuted something like 7 years ago. Its nothing short of criminal that the AI has not evolved one jot since players first experienced "The Real Driving Simulator" on their PSX, back when John Major was Prime Minister.
Whilst I would rate Enthusia at the bottom of this pile, it is with some hope for future iterations of the series. They've got lots of cars, they've got lots of tracks and the AI is doing a good job. But its the core experience of driving the car itself that needs to be improved. At times it can feel like a simulation, at others like a bad Ridge Racer clone. This area needs improvement, not the acqusition of more licenses, before it can compete against the Turismo series.
But for me, GT-R ranks first here. It doesnt have the visuals, nor does it have the number of cars or tracks but it has the best driving model by far, as well as exceptional racing. Whether your spending an afternoon driving a Ferrari 360 on an empty Spa Francorchamps, or pitting your Porsche GT in a 30 car race around Monza, it delivers the best overall experience.
Rookie players should not be put off. With a controller (a wheel isnt essential) and a play through the various difficulty levels and simulation modes, anyone would be able to find a balance that suits them, whether you play Burnout or Grand Prix Legends.
Try it and you won't look back.
1. GT-R
2. GT4
3. Enthusia
