I was willing to give Project Gotham Racing 4 the benefit of the doubt when it added motorcycles to the mix, as even though this is usually a recipe for disaster, Bizarre Creations has certainly earned my respect for continuously making ground-breaking games. So, when I saw PGR4 in the Barker Hangar at E3 last week, I just had to find out for myself.
Unfortunately, I was immediately disappointed. The problem with motorcycles in a realistic racing game is that they are very prone to crashing, especially when a gamer who has no reason to be concerned for his physical safety gets behind the controller. But if you had bodies flying all over the place and blood and limbs bouncing up onto windshields, Project Gotham would take on a whole different flava.
So how do you get around that? Well, you don't, really... Bizarre has opted to use the magical "flashing reset" feature whenever a biker crashes. This, to me, is about as 1995 as disappearing corpses in videogames. I effing HATE it. Nothing tears me out of an immersive game more than watching bodies of the recently slain simply disappear, and nothing could possibly ruin PGR more than the unrealistic madness that they have added.
To make matters worse, I did about 160mph into a dead end and what happened? Not a goddamn thing. Seriously, I just wobbled a bit and then kept on keepin' on. That's bullsh*t! In case Bizarre is reading this, I have included a number of videos of what it's like when a motorcycle crashes at excess speeds. For everyone else, I'm sure PGR4 will still be a great game, but this nonsense right here is what will keep it from being perfect.
you do realize that pgr has never been a realistic driving simulation anyway so whats there to complain about. Its something they had to get around and personally if it keeps the flow moving I am fine with it. I am not so stuck on driving over dead bodies of fellow racers, get over it.
Nice excuse to show a bunch of motorcycle crashes. I'll second what kevvo said, PGR has never been about realistic driving. Cars have always just bounced off the walls when you hit them.
I wonder if there will ever be a game in which all you do is mow down crowds of people with your car. I think JT would love to see that come into fruition.
Although PGR gameplay involves some arcade-style drifts and maneuvers, PGR especially looked very real. If nothing else, the inclusion of bikes and the way they're being handled is a step backward, aesthetically.
Don't get me started on MotoGP ... if the objective of that game was changed so that crashing every 10 seconds made you win, it would be the easiest game ever made.
Rockvillian click the youtube videos twice before you watch them, then you get an idea about what its about, that's how I knew that video would be "very brutal"
yeah..again like i said in the last PGR 4 thread....it's not a sim (nor is it really an arcade)..but i sure don't expect Forza/Gran Turismo controls either.
Personally, I'm not too keen on the bikes in the game in the first place. More power to those who are anxious to try it out, but I hope they don't cut back on the cars just to fit in bikes. Personally I hope I can wipe them out with my Ferrari :p And please don't make the bikes a requirement in story mode :(
Also, videos of dead people always manage to cause an onset of nauseous depression that shows me I'm nowhere near as desensitized as I think I am despite all the violent media I consume.
On a lighter note, those riders in that first video make some pretty damn good recoveries. Also, its interesting to note how much better those that go limp fair than those who flail wildly.
I agree with you on PGR 4. What we need is Flatout Ultimate Carnage physics modelling coupled with the licensed vehicles that the PGR series has. THAT would be wika-wa.
Not cool car crash footage. How is that allowed on YouTube?
Like many people have said before me PGR has never been a real driving sim, even in real driving sims aka Gran turismo, the cars dont blow up or even get damaged!! Why arnt you complaining about air bags not going off in cars when you hit a wall!! Its just not practical for a driving game. I hated the fact i had to run 30 metres back to my bike on road rash while all the other dudes finished the race, it snot practical!! Stop complaining and start pulling massive skids on bikes, will be truly cool!!
Methinks Will just wants some Moto GP style crashes in his PGR....in which case, said game is already available :)
PGR is too fast paced, too centered around skill,and long, ridiculously animated crashes would screw up the flow and make the "one mistake and you're SCREWED" side of the game even more annoying.
....Besides, why are we hitting a wall at 160 MPH anyway? This isn't Flatout...
As evidenced by scenes in the first video, bikes really do want to stay up despite high crashability.
How about a motorcycle game that eases you into it by:
1) pseudo-automatic transmission
2) giving you your projected line based on your speed
3) an adjustably limited lean radius
Once you get adjusted to speed/lean/line ration you adjust settings to be more realistic. Tourist trophy is a good sim that lets you learn he hard way. I recommend trying the real thing (with professional training).
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Contest:
4:02 PM on 07.16.2007
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Mexicans did a funny thing.
Dead bodies = Not cool.
HER MIC! IS ON FIRE!
(Dude, you are pissed, aren't you?)
Although PGR gameplay involves some arcade-style drifts and maneuvers, PGR especially looked very real. If nothing else, the inclusion of bikes and the way they're being handled is a step backward, aesthetically.
Just a guess.
if anyone ever though pgr was realistic they are dreaming
Personally, I'm not too keen on the bikes in the game in the first place. More power to those who are anxious to try it out, but I hope they don't cut back on the cars just to fit in bikes. Personally I hope I can wipe them out with my Ferrari :p And please don't make the bikes a requirement in story mode :(
They did. It was called Carmageddon
Also, videos of dead people always manage to cause an onset of nauseous depression that shows me I'm nowhere near as desensitized as I think I am despite all the violent media I consume.
On a lighter note, those riders in that first video make some pretty damn good recoveries. Also, its interesting to note how much better those that go limp fair than those who flail wildly.
Not cool car crash footage. How is that allowed on YouTube?
PGR is too fast paced, too centered around skill,and long, ridiculously animated crashes would screw up the flow and make the "one mistake and you're SCREWED" side of the game even more annoying.
....Besides, why are we hitting a wall at 160 MPH anyway? This isn't Flatout...
How about a motorcycle game that eases you into it by:
1) pseudo-automatic transmission
2) giving you your projected line based on your speed
3) an adjustably limited lean radius
Once you get adjusted to speed/lean/line ration you adjust settings to be more realistic. Tourist trophy is a good sim that lets you learn he hard way. I recommend trying the real thing (with professional training).