Interesting game review

[Parnelli Bone]

I was just cruising the net because I'm in between jobs at the moment and got nothing better to do. I found some interesting opinions on a website called www.commonsensemedia.org

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/Gran-Turismo-4.html

Gran Turismo 4 provides players with more cars, more race courses and more high-speed fun than earlier versions. However, if you already own Gran Turismo 3, purchasing the latest addition may not offer much bang for your buck as the games differ only slightly in gameplay.
While the game is a good alternative to NEED FOR SPEED UNDERGROUND games, parents may have some concern in the amount of advertising that is present, and the speeds at which cars travel around the racetracks.
All of the cars have logos from top auto makers like BMW, Ford, Chevy and Porsche prominently displayed. You may want to talk to your kids about these ads. Ask them: How did you decide which car to drive? Which brands did you notice while you were playing? Why do you think these ads are in the game? What do they do to your opinions of the brands? This might lead to a broader discussion of advertising and the desire for labels.
Also, because the object of the game is to finish the course as fast as you can, a discussion about safe driving practices is a good idea (especially for kids around the 16 year mark).
Rate It!

Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Chris Saunders
Sony seems to be able to do no wrong when it comes to its top selling racing series. After the first three versions of Gran Turismo sold over 30-million copies, it's no wonder GRAN TURISMO 4 has been generating so much hype with fans of the series.

The company has once again crossed the line well ahead of the competition with the release of the new version. The game offers racing fans an authentic gaming experience that features more than 650 automobiles representing more than 80 top manufacturers from around the world, along with 50 diverse race tracks that range from lightning fast city streets, to rugged dirt trails.

There are two main game modes featured in Gran Turismo 4, arcade mode and Gran Turismo mode. Arcade mode is ideal for the beginning player and younger players as it allows you to sample a limited number of race circuits without having to have mastered the games intricate control system. Gran Turismo mode can only be accessed after players earn enough points in arcade mode and unlock the more challenging race courses that are found in the advanced mode. This mode is for the more experienced player as the tires slide more easily off of the course, the cars move faster at speeds and just keeping the car on the track requires good hand-eye coordination.

For those that have spent hours playing the previous three editions, you'll find only a few subtle changes with Gran Turismo 4. The most noticeable being the visual guides that pop up as your speeding down the race course. The guides will help you control momentum and turning along the course. This feature can be turned off as you get a better feel for the game, but are helpful for beginners that are just doing their best to keep their car heading in the right direction. As with the previous versions, players earn points for their performance on the course. The points can be used to purchase upgrades for their vehicle. Some of the upgrades that are new in Gran Turismo 4 include nitrous oxide, bigger engines, tires, braking systems and heavy duty suspension packages.

Overall, Gran Turismo 4 is a game that you can feel comfortable purchasing for just about any member of your family, and a more family-friendly alternative to the NEED FOR SPEED UNDERGROUND series. Players younger than 6 can give the game a test ride, but will likely get frustrated as keeping the car on the track takes hand-eye coordination and quick thinking.

Commercialism and reckless driving are the downsides of the game. Logos from top car manufacturers are visible everywhere. Also, because cars consistently crack the 100 mile per hour threshold while speeding around sharp corners, a discussion about safe driving is highly recommended.

As you can see it talks about the rampant "commercialism" in the game and warns parents about how their kids may get the wrong idea about real-life driving. Well I got 2 things to say

1. Honestly I never even thought about the commercial aspect of GT too much. When you go to most real-life race tracks, there are ads everywhere by those companies who are putting down some sponsorship money, and the ads in GT are no different. It's frickin' business. If those billboards weren't in the game it would feel weird...you almost expect to see them when you watch a race. So that's an interesting take..."now kids, see that's corporate money being thrown at you. So you can't play your racing games anymore!"

2. Reckless driving caused by videogames??? Hmmm. I'll tell you what, I got my driver's license when I was 16 back in 1982. Yes, I practiced my share of "reckless" driving...but was it caused by a videogame? Certainly not! We had an Atari 2600 and the 2 racing sims we had (Pole Position and Activision Enduro) had no bearing on my real-life driving. I never went "wow, I just passed a bunch of pixellated blobs on my TV screen, now it's time to jump in my mom's Peugeot and kick some ass!!!!"

Of course maybe nowadays it's different. Maybe nowadays the racing games are so real it may cause some kids today to go dumb stuff. My point is we didn't really have any realistic racing games...we did dumb stuff behind the wheel anyways!

 

[Famine]

All of the cars have logos from top auto makers like BMW, Ford, Chevy and Porsche prominently displayed.

 

[Scaff]

Oh dear just the type of site can't stand.

Have a read of the GTA : SA review for an idea.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/Grand-Theft-Auto-San_2.html

....oh dear me. The parents reviews are a lot more balanced that the main one in this case.

Now what is interesting is to take a look at the FM2 review

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/Forza-Motorsport-2.html

Racing fans, listen up. If you think you've got what it takes to drive competitively, you can put your clutch where your mouth is with Microsoft Game Studios' Forza Motorsport 2, a high-definition sequel to the hit 2005 racing simulator.

Microsoft Xbox 360 gamers can collect and customize more than 300 of the world's hottest cars -- from Ferraris to Porsches to Lamborghinis -- and climb behind the wheel to take on tough opponents on dozens of real-world tracks.

At first, you only have access to a few training courses and a small stable of vehicles, but place in the top three and you'll unlock new and more exciting tracks and tournaments, as well as new race cars, which are divided into six production classes. For example, "U" class cars are ultra rare concept cars (such as the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve); "A" class cars are high-performance production cars (e.g., the Ferrari 360 Modena); while "C" cars are sport production cars such as the Audi S4, and so on.

Like the way your car looks? Snap photos throughout a race -- or save a video replay and upload it online for all your friends to see.

After you get a feel for the authentic physics and handling for each car, all of which can incur damage that can affect performance, you won't be surprised to learn Microsoft tapped automotive engineers and professional race car drivers to re-create a realistic racing experience.

That is, if you choose for it to be realistic. You could, however, have Forza 2 play more like an arcade game than a hard-core simulation by letting the computer aid in gear-shifting, braking, and other automated options.

One of the most fun things to do in Forza Motorsport 2 is customize your vehicles. You can unlock licensed rims and other aftermarket body parts, dabble with a custom paint and decal job, and tune your cars in one of four performance upgrades.

After you've created the ultimate showpiece, you will likely be eager to log online for head-to-head races via the Microsoft Xbox Live service ($49.99 a year). You can choose from one of three options: a Quick Match mode, which drops you into a multiplayer lobby without selecting any game criteria; a Custom Match lets you search for specific events you'd like to join (such as a certain track, tournament, or car class); or Create a Match, which lets you create an event you'd like to find or host.

If you want to know what you're getting into before you put the pedal to the metal online, you can watch others compete from around the globe with the Forza Motorsport TV spectator mode. What's more, a virtual Auction mode lets you find and bid on rare or custom-made cars (in exchange for game credits) or you can create an auction of your own.

Whether you use the Xbox 360 wireless controller or the preferred Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($129), Forza Motorsport 2 feels as good as it looks -- and it's quite the looker with its near-photorealistic cars, tracks, and scenery. Add a truckload of cars to collect, virtually limitless customization, and deep online options and you've got one of the finest Xbox 360 games to date.

Other racing games include the Need for Speed series from EA Games and SSX Blur, the snowboarding/ski racing game for the Wii.

Which reads more like an advert.




Scaff

 

[dylansan]

I have never picked a car based on ads during races. Ever. I drive plenty of cars that I've never seen ads for in the game. I see ads for Peugeot and say "This would be a good photo location for a Peugeot," not "Hey, they can afford ads! I'm going to buy a Peugeot!"

 

[solinent]

lol I hate websites like this.

"A discussion on safe driving is nessessary"

By the time they are 16, I doubt playing gran turismo at 6 years will change anything...

 

[SimRaceDriver]

<RANT ON>

Damn! I really hate reviews like this!

First off, it's NOT A Porsche idiot..It's a RUF! Do your homework first BEFORE you put pen to paper please! Sheez!

Secondly; From what I've seen, only the 'race cars' have 'logos' on them...and what type of car race seen on TV does NOT contain 'logos' and/or 'ads' from the sponsors placed all over the car(s)?

Thirdly; I disagree with the following comment:

"...This mode (Gran Turismo) is for the more experienced player as the tires slide more easily off of the course, the cars move faster at speeds and just keeping the car on the track requires good hand-eye coordination...."

For the simple fact that I just had my mother (Over 50 yrs old) in town a few weeks ago and I got her into my race-rig, and after loading up GT4, threw her into a Lotus Elan and sent her out on the Nurburgring...and I'll be damned if she didn't complete a full lap without going off the track but more then 4..maybe 5 times at that! Sure, it took her almost 15 minutes...but that's better then most friends I have who have tried it!

And then there is this comment:

"...Players younger than 6 can give the game a test ride, but will likely get frustrated as keeping the car on the track takes hand-eye coordination and quick thinking..."

Guess the author hasn't seen too many YouTube Videos of 6 year olds tackling Guitar Hero II on expert mode and doing better then I ever could! ;-)

Oh..and let's not even start talking about this comment:

"...Commercialism and reckless driving are the downsides of the game. Logos from top car manufacturers are visible everywhere..."

Don't know where this author lives, but I see billboards of car makes spread all across the city streets when I go out driving and even a few when I go to 'race tracks' to see a live motor-racing event! It's called "Sponsorships"...Hello!

"...Also, because cars consistently crack the 100 mile per hour threshold while speeding around sharp corners, a discussion about safe driving is highly recommended..."

Who in their right mind, even in a GAME, is going to be dumb enough to tackle a 'sharp corner' at over 100mph? If the car in the game can't make it what makes you think a 'real life car' will? DOH!

<RANT OFF>

 

[s00zster]

I didn't read the entire review, because as soon as I saw the first paragraph, I knew it was drivel. This bit for instance:

parents may have some concern in the amount of advertising that is present, and the speeds at which cars travel around the racetracks.

Eh?

A Parent: "You're not getting that game because the cars travel too fast. I'm only going to get you a racing game if the cars go slowly."

Suze

 

[Open Addict]

I am pretty sure there are not many racing games out there where the cars go slower than, lets say the citroen 2cv, or subaru 360 or even the midget 11.

i does bug me the way the minority of dopey drop kicks think that they can drive in real life the way they drive in a video game. it ruins it for those that can tell the difference between real and not real.
i mean:
____1) video game has no fear factor.
____2) video game you can not die
and 3) dugh!.

the next thing parents will be telling their kids is that they are not allowed to play with matchbox/hot wheels cars or radio controlled cars, because they create an illusion that you can drive. stupidity.

im open addict, you can agree with me or be wrong.

 

[RKW3]

The parents are so wrong. GT4 stands for Gran Turismo 4, not Grand Theft Auto 4.

 

[Sakiale]

What a ****ing retarded review. 👎. It thinks GT4 is for kids, will make them into street racers, and advertises. It also seems to think that NFS is 'not very family friendly'. Hmm. The only thing I've ever used the ads in GT games for is motivation when I'm racing. "Oooh look a Nissan ad, yeah they're cheering for me yeaaaahh!!! *passes the Corvette in a Silvia*"

 

[RICHARDO]

What a garbage review, friggin politically correct mother. (I assume it's a nutbag mother, because I have read a lot of reviews like this that have been written by them.) How in the hell is GT not family friendly? That means no game is family friendly. And why would you buy a racing game if you don't want your kids driving fast in it? WTF?

I'm reminded of a review by a review of Resident Evil REmake by, none other, the Christian church!

It just dosen't make any sense.

 

[Tornado]

Logos from top car manufacturers are visible everywhere.

To this date, I have only seen one game that has managed to get away with having real cars without showing the logos, and those cars were used with questionable legality.
My main question is this: How many kids are going to play GT4, see a Pontiac Sunfire and then say they want to grow up to own a Sunfire?

 

[-Cheezman-]

How many kids are going to play GT4, see a Pontiac Sunfire and then say they want to grow up to own a Sunfire?

All of them. When I grow up I want a McLaren F1.... but then again, who doesn't.

That review is by some one who thinks their child is not an adult until the age of 35, and protects them from everything, possible forces them to live in side a bubble and only read the bible and play shoots and ladders, with the word shoots changed to "heavenly slides".

That, or a damn fool wrote it, one of the two.

 

[shangoob]

All of them. When I grow up I want a McLaren F1.... but then again, who doesn't.

That review is by some one who thinks their child is not an adult until the age of 35, and protects them from everything, possible forces them to live in side a bubble and only read the bible and play shoots and ladders, with the word shoots changed to "heavenly slides".

That, or a damn fool wrote it, one of the two.

When my money grows up I will buy a Viper GTS.

No...really that man cares about the children. I agree with him

 

[bellybox]

Gran Turismo mode can only be accessed after players earn enough points in arcade mode and unlock the more challenging race courses that are found in the advanced mode.

Are these people the full ticket?

 

[Gil]

Aside from being WRONG on most major points, that guy is still way off!
Granted, I discovered Gran Turismo when I was a grown man with my own kids...
But if you want to encourage bad driving let's discuss the Burnout series.
As the numbers get higher on the sequels, the more credit you get for causing bigger, costlier wrecks.

At least the GT series promotes car control...

 

[RICHARDO]

Need For Speed (the new ones) creates a whole culture of uninformed kids, not GT4.

Playing Carbon was like staring Satan in the face...

 

[Formula1Driver]

so to win, they want their children to drive slower than the other cars?

 

[Parnelli Bone]

What a ***ing retarded review. 👎. It thinks GT4 is for kids, will make them into street racers, and advertises. It also seems to think that NFS is 'not very family friendly'. Hmm. The only thing I've ever used the ads in GT games for is motivation when I'm racing. "Oooh look a Nissan ad, yeah they're cheering for me yeaaaahh!!! *passes the Corvette in a Silvia"

Yeah, if there's some sponsorship ads by the side of the track, sometimes I like getting inches away them and watching them speed by my side.

EXXXONEXXONEXXONEXXON*GRANTURISMOGRANTURISMOGRANTURISMO*MITSUBISHIMITSUBHISHIMITSUBISHI

Red Rock Speedway in GT2 was the best for this! High speed Ring, too.

Aside from being WRONG on most major points, that guy is still way off!
Granted, I discovered Gran Turismo when I was a grown man with my own kids...
But if you want to encourage bad driving let's discuss the Burnout series.
As the numbers get higher on the sequels, the more credit you get for causing bigger, costlier wrecks.

At least the GT series promotes car control...

Yeah no stuff! You should see some of the games my 12-year old nephew wants to play. He has hardly any interest in a realistic game like GT4, he'd rather tear up some plastic in Lego STAR WARS or pilot something in Crash Bandicoot! 12-year olds have different brains than we do; those sort of kid's games generally give me a headache!

 

[Gil]

If you want a contrast in objectives, play GT4 for an hour.
Take a little break, get a snack, go to the bathroom...
Now put in the latest Burnout.
Catch any difference in what you're trying to do?

Add to the fact that in ALL the GT games, you are racing on the track, or streets that have been closed down for regular traffic. Seems like solid re-inforcement of keeping race style driving where it belongs---on the track.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

If you want a contrast in objectives, play GT4 for an hour.
Take a little break, get a snack, go to the bathroom...
Now put in the latest Burnout.
Catch any difference in what you're trying to do?

Add to the fact that in ALL the GT games, you are racing on the track, or streets that have been closed down for regular traffic. Seems like solid re-inforcement of keeping race style driving where it belongs---on the track.

Exactly. You cant run into innocent bystanders or jack cars like you do in GTA. Instead you have to earn or win the cars you drive. that's solid reinforcement for the value of working for a living is it not? 💡

 

[Pupik]

I BMW don't Ford understand Pirelli what RedLineOil the Nissan big Omega deal TRD is Chevrolet. There Xanavi is BP nothing Volvo to Lancia worry Michelin about Triumph if Honda people Jaguar watch Bridgestone some Hyundai advertising Daihatsu in Callaway a Mobil video Dodge game Infiniti to Trial make Pescarolo up Fiat for Mercedes-Benz a Peugeot lack Falken of Enkei watching Castrol network TVR television Brembo programming.

 

[Dracwolley]

You should see some of the games my 12-year old nephew wants to play. He has hardly any interest in a realistic game like GT4, he'd rather tear up some plastic in Lego STAR WARS or pilot something in Crash Bandicoot! 12-year olds have different brains than we do; those sort of kid's games generally give me a headache!

Gaah, I'm just that old and I love Gran Turismo 4 more than vacation! What do you think I'll be like when I grow up?

 

[Dracwolley]

Oh my, I didn't think it was possible to double-post on this site.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Gaah, I'm just that old and I love Gran Turismo 4 more than vacation! What do you think I'll be like when I grow up?

sorry! Guess i just made a blanket statement there.

I BMW don't Ford understand Pirelli what RedLineOil the Nissan big Omega deal TRD is Chevrolet. There Xanavi is BP nothing Volvo to Lancia worry Michelin about Triumph if Honda people Jaguar watch Bridgestone some Hyundai advertising Daihatsu in Callaway a Mobil video Dodge game Infiniti to Trial make Pescarolo up Fiat for Mercedes-Benz a Peugeot lack Falken of Enkei watching Castrol network TVR television Brembo programming.

Heee hee!

 

[Turbo Lag]

Slightly off-topic...

First of all, it does not invole getting out of the cars at all, or any violence whatsoever.

Thats another review, from an adult 👍

 

[Muzaffar]

I think its stupid to read all if this lousy reviews.Like if you think GT4 was dangerous,wait till you get a hand of GTA:SA,its like the mother 🤬 of all videogames.Has more sexual content,violence,offensive words,bad reinterpretation on life,and all of this uncensored.With many cases going as far as sewing the company.So hows that for a review.Sheesh,can't blame them if the get mixed up between GT and GTA.It sometimes confuses me as well

 

[Puke]

Did Ned Flanders write that review?

 

[Stevisiov]

Players younger than 6 can give the game a test ride, but will likely get frustrated as keeping the car on the track takes hand-eye coordination and quick thinking.

This one made me laugh, I taught my younger bro to play this game earlier this year, he is 5 and in 2 weeks he had passed his B-national, his A-National, and was well into his B- international when my new G-25 came, and my cockpit had to be adjusted, he can't reach the pedals on the new cockpit so he can no longer play, (he refuses to use DS2). Still I think it is safe to say you don't have to worry about young children struggling. By the time he is my age he will have learned by himself that racing is for the track, and not for the roads, he won't need teaching that nor i doubt will most other kids of his age.

oh and +rep pupik

 

[JacoJa]

Ahh, man... that's the worst review I've ever seen in my life.

For those that have spent hours playing the previous three editions, you'll find only a few subtle changes with Gran Turismo 4. The most noticeable being the visual guides that pop up as your speeding down the race course. The guides will help you control momentum and turning along the course. This feature can be turned off as you get a better feel for the game, but are helpful for beginners that are just doing their best to keep their car heading in the right direction.

LOL... Yeah, forget about the enhanced physics, hundreds of new cars, improved graphics, new tracks, new gameplay features, etc... the most noticeable change by far is a few dotted lines on the track. Sounds like the reviewer spent about 3 minutes completing a driving test, then assumed the rest of the game would remain exactly the same as his first impression. I really dislike this reviewer... what a complete idiot. 👎

Edit: Wtf? Why does this kid also add a comment about the adds?:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/Gran-Turismo-4.html?show=kid
Yeesh... what an odd 14-year-old