E3 2004: GT4 Hands-On Update & Media

Our latest playtest with the E3 2004 build of Kaz Yamauchi's racing juggernaut. Now with picture mode! All-new screens inside.

Update: Video coverage added.

Over the years Gran Turismo has established itself as the world's premier racing simulation franchise, and for every installation the game becomes more realistic in both graphics, and gameplay elements.

We played it for the first time a year ago, and savoured the brilliance from the comfort of our own homes with the Japanese release of GT4 Prologue last year. E3 2004 added new tracks and reminded us just how awesome this racer is going to be.

This time around the game boasts more stunning realism than ever before with 3D spectator expressions, a human physics model for the driver, and certain tracks that are within 1% of their real-life counterparts. Over 500 cars and 80 car manufacturers are included in the game, allowing for some serious replay. This time around the game features a new user interface that is straightforward and easy to navigate.

One of the game's biggest new features is Photo Mode, a photography simulation that allows gamers to photograph their wheels in a variety of locations, choosing their own film, camera lenses, shutter speed, filters, and more. According to the developers, they expect some gamers to purchase the game for this new mode alone. The mode is addictive for anyone who appreciates the intricacies of photography or anyone who wants to capture the virtual wheels they've created from an almost infinite combination of angles and locales.

Photo Mode is compatible with select USB printers that will connect to the Playstation 2 and allow any photos taken in game to be printed for long-term storage. Photos can be taken in any of 50 courses or 16 specific locations.

Gran Turimso 4 offers fans of the original more of everything, with new modes and old favorites making an appearance for this round, including Simulation Mode. For true enthusiasts photo mode is incentive enough to pick up the new game. For the rest of us, the beautiful new tracks and cars will have to be the deciding factors.

This is the probably the most overwhelmingly realistic video game project in development anywhere, and we can't wait to get our hands on the final version, currently scheduled for release in November 2004. Europe will see the release of Gran Turismo 4 Prologue next week, on May 28.

Stay tuned for our E3 2004 video interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, and if you missed it, remember to catch our chat with him last year.

Carl Johnson
Staff Writer, Kikizo.com