Best Drifting/Racing game you will play on the PS3 till they port AS5
First off there are 2 versions if you didnt know.
Asian Version: Comes with an English/Japanese Book. Does not come with any online play what so ever no split screen.
Japanese Version: Book is only in Japanese. This does come with online mode and you dont have to live in japan to use it. But i hear it doesnt save stats or something? im not to sure cause i have the Asian version.
So how do you tell if its an Asian or Japanese. Basicly look at the front of the box bottom left corner If you see a CERO A that means this is the japanese version. If you dont see it then that means its the Asian Version. Ok now thats clear lets talk about the game.
Do i need to know alot of japanese?
Answer is not really you can guess them. But it helps to have the Asian Version but then you wont have online play so hopefully you can find english guide online.
Story Mode / Gameplay
When your racing they will randomly talk like the anime just saying random stuff over and over. I find it annoying and cool at the same time. Its not like AS3 some drivers are put on different mountains but thats alright.
You start off in Akina lake. Its like a ring course you drive around the lake. First off if your new to AS4 if you just put it in 5th gear you will drop in speed real quick on turns and that AE85 will be flying away. But its real easy once you learn to always go in 4th on everyturn. If you love outside the car view then this wont work out to well on this game. It will feel like your driving on ice dunno why but it will oversteer alot so you must always drive in first person. Not gonna talk about how many tracks there are just use wiki. Anyways all the drivers are easy till you get to the last one when you race the pro driver in the Carbon Fiber Yellow EK Civic.
Time Attack / Replay Mode
Its just like story mode but with out anyone to battle. Its real fun i mostly play this alot to see if i can beat my old score. After your done you can look at the replay and watch how cool you look when you was playing.
Music
Im really sad about the song list out of all the SEB tracks they pick the worst ones. Only like Forever Young and Space Love. All the other songs are like old songs from the anime.
Car Customization
Its really great you can do alot to the car. Its not like AS3 where you can only pick 3 option for the car. No this one is fully Customization. You have to stage 8 on 5 tiers to make your car faster or lighter i think so you gotta play alot to earn points to buy them. You can do alot on the body kit to its really awesome.
Avatar
What thers avatar now? Yay its new you can pick a boy or a girl avatar so when you battle someone it will be on the upper right corner. You can do manythings like clothes and change hair skin color neckless but its limited unlike AS5 where you have way more stuff to select.
Steering Wheel
I used the GT5 Wheel the new one and it was alright it feels really stiff i tried seting it up on the options but doesnt work to well. It does make you drive alot better so get one if you want to have better control.
Overall
I say this is one of the best buy you will get. Its not even sure if they will port Arcade Stage 5. If they ever do make sure you buy that one its way way better then Extreme Stage AS4.
Some extra info. Theres no thropy support. Loading time is a bit long sorry you cant install it to the HDD. You have to import this game hopefully you have a local shop that sells it.
Rating: Gameplay 8, Music 5, Replay Value Crazy Addicting