Gran Turismo 4 - E

A realistic racing experience for the entire family.

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Category/Genre: Video Games - Action/Adventure Platform: PlayStation 2 Price: $45.95 Graphics: Remarkable. Cars and race environments look real. Playability: The game requires a medium skill level to successfully navigate the racecourses. Younger players and beginners will enjoy arcade mode's moderate courses that give players the chance to learn basic functions like shifting gears and handling the touchy steering wheel. Reading Level: 6+ Release Date: 02/23/2005 ESRB Rating: E

Common Sense Note

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).

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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.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence
Language
Message
	Social Behavior The game is all about high-speed racing, which may have your child believing that this is the only way to drive
	Commercialism The game is full of commercialism, with advertisements from major car manufacturers like Audi and Chevrolet, along with sponsors like tire makers Bridgestone and Dunlop visible throughout the game.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value