No major leaps forward in the series, but still one of the most fun and exciting racing games available
The major addition of the latest instalment is motorbikes. They can be played along side regular cars resulting in an even more exciting racing experience and offers a whole new gameplay element to the series. Although they perhaps don't handle as realistically or frankly as good as the cars, they are still very entertaining and allow just as much style and stunts which is what Project Gotham is all about.
Stylish antics while racing earns you kudos, accomplished by doing anything from drifts and driving at hellish speeds, to doing wheelies, endos and even standing on the rear of a motorbike and waving your legs around a bit. The kudos system has been improved from the previous games and allows you to have even more fun while racing. There's also an incentive for driving like a mad man, too, as cars, tracks and even modes are unlockable buy purchasing them in the PGR shop.
However, on top of the already superb visuals, the true addition to the game is the weather effects; driving around the Nürburgring in the billowing snow is a remarkable experience. The water effects as you plough through a puddle are extremely impressive; even better the excitement as you aqua plane through one, knowing you could lose complete control at any stage. Surprisingly, the weather effects really do add a new layer to the game, making races more exciting, diverse and memorable.
The weather would be as good as nothing if the driving model was poor, but, thankfully, it is spot on. The mix of arcade and simulation driving results in one that is instantly playable and instantly enjoyable. In addition, there is a wide variety of cars; even a pick up truck makes an appearance, each with their own feel and stats. Cars such as the Lamborghini Murcielago, Aston Martin Vanquish and even the Mini Cooper S are almost perfectly replicated and racing with the in car view on is a fantastically authentic experience.
Project Gotham 4 also packs plenty of value; there are both many single and multi player modes. The meat of the single player is the career mode, where you aim to be the number one driver in the world by competing in various races and challenges, such as eliminations, hot laps and gate challenges. There are a few crap ones, like kudos vs. time, but can be forgiven as the variety is impressive; PGR4 boats a very generous amount of cities from around the globe to race in, all with there own spectacular visuals, weather and track features.
Winning events in single player will warrant you with more kudos to spend and you will occasionally gain access to invitations, which will put you in a unique car which are up for grabs. This means there is plenty to play for as well as offering a lot of content.
Other modes include the arcade and time trials, meaning you'll have loads to do within the game. However, the majority of the replay value comes from the online which boasts a vast array of modes. Team Races, Cat and Mouse and Bulldog all offer fantastic entertainment as you compete furiously with several other racers from around the globe. Bulldog is one of the highlights, which involves a 'Fox' who must seek out other players as they sprint away across an entire city until there is only one left. It is a refreshing mode and just good plain fun.
The fourth instalment also boasts PGR On Demand, which allows you to post pictures and videos which you have captured and share with the online to be watched and rated. You also have the ability to customize your character, by changing the colour of their outfit and helmet, and even your car. Although it is not very deep, it is a nice feature.
As impressive as the environments, vehicles and weather effects are, the same is also true with the driving model; it is fast, entertaining and easy to pick up. The bikes may not be as impressive as initially though and it may not make major leaps forward in the series, but all the minor additions add up to a game which is both highly recommendable to racing fans and newcomers alike.