Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Signature Edition With Bonus Disc (Limited Edition)

Now it would appear that Sony has changed its mind and Europe is to get their hands on a very limited edition GT4: P (Signature Edition). Released in mid-May 2004. Now that might be because of the huge demand for import copies of GT4: P (Jap) worldwide. Or maybe because GT4’s release date has been put back (yet again) until September 2004!!

In addition to the game, this European “Signature Edition” will apparently come with a personal message from Kazunori Yamauchi - creator of the Gran Tursimo PS2 games and will also include a special 'Making of... DVD'. It's unclear whether the game will include any “additional” Euro-specific vehicles or tracks.
Just remember, it's only a "taster" for the eagerly awaited and hopefully “on-line” and massive GT4 & is therefore more akin to "GT Concept" than “GT3 A-Spec”.

It's basically (46?) of the License Tests taken from GT4. Fairly easy to get a Bronze, in your first couple of go's. But I found getting the Golds v.difficult & still have a few that elude me !! For every test that you pass (Bronze/Silver or Gold) you are awarded the Car that you had to do that particular Test with. You will also gain an additional vehicle once you’ve obtained Golds for all 6 / 7 tests in a particular coloured zone !

You can then use one of your hard won cars in the Arcade Mode for Racing & Time Trials on the 5 previously unseen "new" circuits. But Note, there are No Reverse courses !! Tsukuba & Fuji Speedway are both real tarmac racetracks, you can also race around a New York street circuit or a tight & twisty set of roads based around an Italian Mountain Village. But perhaps best of all, you get to Rally around part of the top of the Grand Canyon. Just don’t spend too much time admiring the glorious scenery…That’s what the Replays are for !

Smash into a wall too hard whilst racing & you'll automatically be given a 10 second penalty (i.e. your car is stuck in 1st gear for 10 seconds !!).

Once you've passed all the Tests (and the Coffee Breaks) you're awarded with a behind the scenes look at how they made GT4 & then a clip of the game itself. Looked to me like a GT40 having a pit-stop with animated crew, a Street Race at sundown/dusk in Hong Kong & a trip down a mountain road on the French Riviera / Italian Coast or somewhere similar.

Lots of 2D looking Spectators on the Rally Circuits, slide out in front of you, to take a Photo of your Car or just move forward to get a better look. Then retreat into the safety of the Crowds once you get close. Some turn or wave their arms as you drive past, with lots of "Flash" guns going off...nice touch.

It's only a "reduced" 1 player game, but with improved Graphics, animated spectators & "upped" Car Control compared to GT3 & GT Concept.

The Logitech (Black & Blue) Force Feedback Wheel is great, but if using a PS2 Controller its back to "X" & "Square" (i.e. you can't use the Right Analogue Stick to accelerate & brake !). Logitech are however bringing out a new & improved “Force Feedback Pro” (Black) Wheel, specifically to use with this game and GT4. That even has a sequential gearshift lever !

If you're a GT or Driving fanatic, it's definitely worth getting this game. If you happen to just quite like the GT Series, do yourself a favour & wait for the full GT4 game to come out in a few months time. With a "GT" Mode consisting of approx 500 cars & 100 courses, plus a Car Museum, Racing Team Manager Mode & online racing.
This review was based upon the Japanese Version of this Game.

I was initially discouraged by Prologue as I had the impression it was little more than a glorified demo. However, my Gran Turismo tainted mind soon got the better of me, and now it sits on my shelf.

In retrospect, this is actually quite good value. It costs less than a full price game, and I found the bonus DVD very enjoyable.

The game itself consists of two modes: School and Arcade. School mode revolves around taking license test similar to those found in early GT games, but some have been taken a step further. There are now lessons on overtaking, race practice and fuel conservation.

The arcade mode allows you to drive freely on the five tracks available in this preview, three of them with opponent cars, or in a time trial mode. The other two are essentially rally stages.

The physics engine, as hard as it is to believe, has come on in leaps and bounds from GT3. Seriously, this provides a new level of simulation. The graphics too are incredible, and many have already said this is the best looking game ever, on any platform. If you can get a hold of the screenshots of the Nordshcleiffe in the forthcoming GT4, you will have a touch job arguing that statement.

Unlike other incarnations, the cars setting cannot be played with on this game. This has avantages and disadvantages. Advantages: it makes it easy to compare your times to others in online forums as car setup is not an issue! Disadvantages: As this is primarily a game for GT fans only, GT fans by nature like to fiddle with settings, so Sony's primary consumer group may already be discouraged.

A suitable taster to GT4, its lack of being a real game is why it only gets 4 stars from me. As a GT fan, I would like to give it 5...but, I am trying to write a review that will be useful for everyone. This really is a game for the enthusiasts. But watch the DVD and the introduction of this game for a glance at what GT4. It is going to be...words cannot describe...

Despite all this, its still a must have for any GT fan.