From the Manufacturer
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It is speed incarnate. Its sexy sheet metal restrains a
3000 CC power that hits 0-190 MPH in a snap of a linguini.
It is the Bisonrte - just one of the automotive marvels the
scorch the streets in Ridge Racer Type 4. With over 300 new cars
45 fantastic models 8 thrilling courses a 2-player split-screen
mode there is only one way to drive...fast. R4's asphalt gulping
graphics and spectacular racing environments deliver racing
speeds that were once deemed impossible.
Review
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No matter how great you think Gran Turismo, Need for
Speed, or any other driving game is, Ridge Racer has always been
the preferred series when it comes to arcade-style driving.
Though Rage Racer introduced some simulation aspects off the
track, the on-track experience maintained the same
powerslide-happy gameplay that PlayStation owners have loved
since the system launched. Ridge Racer Type 4 (or R4, for short)
makes plenty of improvements while maintaining the same basic
feel.
The game's main mode is the grand prix, where you pick one of
four teams and one of four car manufacturers, then race on eight
tracks. Each team has its own little storyline that plays out
between races, which is told through conversation with your team
liaison. What your team liaison says to you changes depending on
how well you do. The first two tracks only require you to place
third or higher. The second heat requires you to finish second or
higher, while the last four tracks require you to finish first to
proceed. You can retry each track up to three times before having
to start the entire heat over again. You'll earn a newer, faster
car as you complete in each heat and one more before the final
race. Which car you get depends on how well you did in the
previous races. If you aced the entire heat, and you'll get a
faster, better car than you would if you'd finished third in one
or more races. These cars can be used in the two-player versus
mode or the time-trial mode. Also, an extra trial is for
each car manufacturer as you beat the game with the various cars.
There are two basic types of cars in the game. Drift cars are
meant for powersliding, while the grip cars use their additional
traction to make most turns without needing to lay down any
rubber. The drift cars can maneuver the courses more quickly than
the grip cars, but the grip cars let you compete, even though you
might not have mastered the art of the slide. Also, Namco's
Jogcon controller really brings a lot to the game. The addition
of the small wheel makes the control a lot more intuitive, as
well as providing valuable feedback (start doing thumb exercises
now) that helps you know exactly when to power out of a turn. The
track design still revolves around making only a few different
tracks, and using variations to deliver different courses, but
the rehashing of tracks doesn't stand out nearly as much as it
did in the previous Ridge Racer games.
The graphics are simply great. The game moves at a very high,
smooth frame rate, and the tracks are filled with detail.
Lighting is also well used, and things like brake lights give off
tracers in tunnels. The graphics aren't perfect, though. You can
sometimes see the sing cars through walls, and the brake
lights occasionally appear in the road if you're approaching the
top of a hill and another car is near the bottom of the hill. The
soundtrack is a bit more mellow than the previous games, but it
still fits into the game perfectly.
Above all, R4 is incredibly fun to play. Unlocking the cars (more
than 300 in all, though most are basic variations on a few common
themes) quickly becomes an obsession, and the Jogcon adds a ton
of depth to the game's control. Sure, you can play with a Dual
Shock or even a standard controller, but the Jogcon is definitely
the way to play. If you've ever cared about any of the games in
the Ridge Racer series, then R4 is definitely the racing game for
you. --Jeff Gerstmann
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written
permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot
logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc. -- GameSpot Review
- 1-2 Players.
- 8 Tracks, 45 Unique Cars, and over 300 Car Variations.
- Sensational Graphics and Lighting Effects.
- Analog Control & Vibration Function Compatible.
- Special Controllers SLUH 00059 and SLEH 0003.