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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Right from the starting line, Bizarre's vision for "PGR 4" was to create an emotionally-charged racing experience, where players become attached to their careers, profiles and vehicles. There are several new features that embody this emotional experience, the most significant being the new career mode. Drivers are rewarded with a growing fanbase that'll cheer them on, react to their every move and support them through victory. One of the new gameplay elements is the dynamic weather system. Now racing through a track can mean facing an unexpected rain storm or snow flurries in the middle of a race. This results in changing physics when powering around a corner on the wet or icy surface in Shanghai and St. Petersburg or any of the game's 10 other locations. So, if you think driving on a dry track is boring... Flair and driving style now are just as important as technical skill, as players passing their opponent at full speed pump their fists and exhibit more emotion as they earn recognition with the revised Kudos system. The Kudos are worthwhile too, because the new A.I. personalities are be able to perform bold new driving maneuvers as they race side by side with other drivers. [Microsoft]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Official Xbox Magazine UK
The presentation, the career game, the online stuff, the load times...everything's better. And with streets packed with spectators, signs and flags, it's a much more vibrant lace than Gotham's sterile cities of old. We simply have no alternative but to crown Gotham 4 the best racing game on Xbox 360. [Nov 2007, p.102]
97
Jolt Online Gaming UK
It would be impossible to point out one area where it significantly outclasses its brethren, but from the choice of tracks to the game’s competitive spirit, it’s hard to imagine Bizarre Creations ever compiling a better package, or a better advert for racing on the 360.
 93
Game Over Online
As a fan of Bizarre’s racing exploits since MSR, I’d say that this this their finest effort since "PGR 2."
93
Worth Playing
The selection of cars and motorcycles is incredibly fun, the graphics are self-evidently gorgeous and the array of gameplay options are both staggering and compelling. It is very rare that a game this polished and well-designed is made in any genre, and Project Gotham Racing 4 demands your attention regardless of your skill level or taste in gaming. There is literally something in this game for everyone.
93
Games Master UK
Single-handedly worth the price of an Xbox 360. Buy it. We implore you. [Nov 2007, p.74]
92
Gamer 2.0
Project Gotham Racing 4 is truly a great racer. With solid gameplay both online and offline, PGR4 is sure to keep fans of racing games busy for months.
92
Computer and Video Games
Not without its issues, but they're so minor they don't stop it from being the best racing experience on Xbox 360. Or of the current generation.
92
Cheat Code Central
An extremely challenging but rewarding title.
92
Play.tm
This little arcade shooter is worth a decent amount of cash on its own, so its inclusion in the package only makes PGR4 that much more attractive. Oh. And there are motorbikes in it too. They bump the score up an extra few percentage points.
91
GameShark
Project Gotham Racing 4 is one of the rare racing games that have appeal across the board from simulation racers to those who prefer their racing to be a bit more on the arcade side.
90
Gamestyle
An excellent online mode (as always) is the icing on an almost perfect cake. Bizarre have even had the decency to include a brand new version of Geometry Wars, subtitled Waves, to keep people amused. With PGR4 the series may have reached its peak and it's going to be interesting to see how Bizarre Creations try and top it.
90
Operation Sports
The series has “returned to its roots” in a way, beginning with the handling model. At the same time, it’s managed to incorporate very new features, throwing in motorcycles that feel completely fresh and weather that can change every race you run.
90
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
A leap up from PGR3 in all departments, this is the racer fans deserved. [Dec 2007, p.78]
90
Gamers Europe
There’s little about PGR4 that can be complained about and other than a few niggling qualms with regards to the aggressive driver AI, and of course the issues that surround the bikes, every element of the game comes together to create an absolutely astounding package.
90
Thunderbolt
As a sequel to one of the greatest racing games out, Project Gotham Racing 4 is a complete success. Understated and utterly likeable – unmistakably, brilliant.
90
Game Positive
This is arguably one of the best and most involving racers ever built, and its immense attention to detail will constantly take you by surprise.
90
VideoGamer
A brilliant racing game. It's got some issues still, with the lengthy load times and a fair amount of re-used content from PGR3 likely to turn away a few gamers, but it remains the Xbox 360's premier racing title.
90
360 Gamer Magazine UK
A brilliant blend of visual perfection and gameplay finesse. PGR4 merges both to create a wonderful racing game that is involving, deep and immensely rewarding to play. If you’re even remotely interested in racing games, then this is essential.
90
IC-Games
Kudos must be given to Bizarre for not being lazy on this one as can so often be the case with final installments.
90
Edge Magazine
It’s uncompromising and involved and may not be for everyone, but you sense it’s the game Bizarre have been meaning to make for the last seven years, and for that alone, it’s precious. [Nov 2007, p.86]
90
Eurogamer
PGR4 wrings the best yet out of an already scintillating arcade racing game. As a swansong for Activision-bound Bizarre Creations, it's more than we could have wished for, and a daunting prospect for whichever developer Microsoft asks to follow it.
90
Total Video Games
A considerable improvement to the rushed "PGR3." PGR4 goes the extra mile with the inclusion of dynamic weather and bikes, it refines everything key element to the point of near-perfection, includes the low-end vehicles that fans cried out for, and most significantly injects a considerable boost of content.
90
GameTap
I can’t really remember the last time I had fun restarting a single race over and over and actually was excited about it because I knew that I was this close to having a perfect race--if only that stupid Ducati would just leave me alone.
90
PALGN
The new cities are fantastic; the handling model still hits that perfect balance between fantasy and realism and the sheer amount of things to do, plus its online multiplayer means you be playing it for a long time to come.
90
Boomtown
The real joy of PGR action is online and the racing is brilliant, especially with friends.
90
MS Xbox World
If you like racing games, then Project Gotham Racing 4 is one that you have to buy.
90
Talk Xbox
For what its worth, PGR 4 is the best game in the long running Project Gotham Racing series but sadly, this title isn’t sparkling with innovation and occasionally feels like more of the same. On the other hand, the core gameplay is good enough here that it doesn’t need significant changes.
88
Game Informer
I’d love to see a car damage system of some kind implemented, larger field sizes, and an online component that is more than adequate (In contrast, "Forza 2’s" car auction system is a glimpse into the future), but Project Gotham Racing 4 has blown its own doors off and finally grown from being a bite-sized, almost niche racer into a full-fledged experience that all racing fanatics should enjoy.
88
ActionTrip
PGR4 has more horsepower under its hood than initially meets the eye. The fourth game was carefully constructed to use the latest technology as a mere tool in reaching the ultimate design goal for this one - which is to make PGR 4 a fun and rewarding gameplay experience.
88
Da Gameboyz
Not only is Project Gotham Racing 4 a driving game with great mix of arcade and simulation styles of racing, but it is a next generation racing title that also looks great, sounds good and has a solid online component as well.
87
GameTrailers
Loaded with content and the driving is generally tight, it just fails to break any sort of new ground.
86
AtomicGamer
As I said at the beginning of this review, all of this is great as long as you actually enjoy the game's mix of arcade and sim racing. If that's not your kind of game, then Project Gotham Racing 4's many gameplay modes and unique features might just pull you in long enough to hook you.
86
XboxAddict
However, PGR4 is a step forward in the series, and fans of this series will definitely not be disappointed.
86
NZGamer
Extreme weather variables add substance to the racing.
85
Extreme Gamer
The new features which include motorcycles, dynamic weather, and a redesigned season mode give gamers a good enough reason to upgrade from PGR3.
85
GameZone
For returning players, PGR is basically more of the same – whether that is good or bad is dependent on if you like the series.
85
Xbox World Australia
With its many accessible difficulty options and forgiving career mode, PGR4 manages to be a very fun arcade racer.
85
ZTGameDomain
What makes PGR 4 so good is the fact that the developers have played to the series strengths while adding in just enough to keep things interesting.
85
GamerNode
With magnificent visuals, a ton of vehicles, and a beefy single and multiplayer experience, PGR4 is a great way to quench that speed demon thirst.
85
1UP
Its "arcade mode" is remarkably well-structured, and far more developed than the lazy "put a cool car on any track" approach that we usually see these days.
85
GameSpot
Project Gotham Racing 4 continues the series' tradition of brilliant visuals and fun gameplay, and adds to the list with new rides and weather effects that must be driven to be believed.
84
Planet Xbox 360
Project Gotham Racing 4 has superb graphics for a racing title, some decent controls, and one hell of an offline/online package. As I said before this is the flagship title of the series and with new developers coming on board it is going to be hard to beat in the future.
84
Team Xbox
Another solid, stylized racer from Bizarre. Bikes don’t add as much punch as they would seem to on paper.
83
Gaming Age
Every aspect of Project Gotham Racing 4 is top notch, yet it feels just a little too much like the same racer we've been playing for years, even with all the changes. There's a lot more racing competition on the Xbox 360 these days and PGR4 still performs well enough to race to the top.
83
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Perfectly tuned to the 360 controller, it's killer racing action for newbie and veteran alike. [Dec 2007, p.123]
83
Pelit (Finland)
Gets old pretty quickly as solo play experience, but luckily the online modes are entertaining for quite a while. The bikes are fun to drive against human opponents and drifting with the cars is still fun. The core game hasn’t lost its basic charm but there is very little properly new. The single player game has a “been there done that” feeling written all over it. Multiplayer matches are still fun. [Nov 2007]
83
GamingExcellence
Although PGR4 does not stray far from its roots, it does add a touch of flare to the series. With the inclusion of a new weather system and a vast array of motorcycles, there is a lot to be had in this racing title, and anyone and everyone should at least take a peek at this newcomer.
81
IGN
PGR 4 is a fun arcade racer, but lacks the polish of previous iterations.
80
GameSpy
Substantial changes are what the series needs to really glow again, and they just aren't here. Bizarre Creations "phoning it in" is still better than a lot of developers' best, but if Bizarre Creations has something truly innovative up its sleeve, it seems it's saving it for its next title for its new publisher, Activision.
80
GameDaily
We just wish it had the graphical punch that Project Gotham 3 had when it debuted in 2005. With that said, PGR4 still looks gorgeous, and with so many features including the new Geometry Wars: Waves, you'll play it for months.
80
games(TM)
It is just an extension of PGR3. The shift in style, the new vehicles and weather, they could never hope to revolutionise the franchise in the way online has. [Nov 2007, p.124]
80
Official Xbox Magazine
In a crowded holiday season, however--and in a year when racing fans have already been satiated by the stellar likes of "Dirt" and "Forza 2"--this more-or-less "do over" of "PGR3" is a bit disappointing, despite how good it actually is. [Dec 2007, p.72]
80
Kombo
Project Gotham Racing 4 feels like an update to Project Gotham Racing 3 more so than a full-fledged sequel.
80
G4 TV
Visually this generation has progressed well past the point where Project Gotham Racing 4 would evoke the kind of bug-eyed glee that its predecessor did.
80
X360 Magazine UK
More of the same, yet somehow less satisfying than its predecessor. While this makes scoring easy, we can't help but wonder were the series will go from here. [Issue#25, p.76]
80
Gaming Nexus
Project Gotham Racing 4 is a solid game that delivers a diverse collection of races to complete. Unfortunately it's marred by the fact that it's not all that different from Project Gotham Racing 3 and isn't as much fun as Forza 2. Still, this is an exciting racer that is well worth adding to your collection.
80
AceGamez
PGR4 is an excellent racing game and though I may have been hard on it because it lacked the polish of previous iterations in the franchise, it is by no means a bad game.
80
DarkStation
There is no doubt that even with this game's shortcomings, PGR4 is still a fantastic racing game that just came up a bit short from the high bar that has been set for this franchise.
75
GamePro
Enjoyable enough that it warrants a look but it just doesn't play to its strengths well enough to stand toe-to-toe with the current champions of the next-generation racing world.
50
Game Revolution
PGR4 makes a lot of absurd decisions ranging from motorcycles to Lady Sovereign to unreadable menus to Quebec. While the core gameplay is the about the same as it has always been, the one good upgrade, the weather effects, isn’t enough to maintain PGR’s earlier decent showing.
Liam M gave it a9: Apocalypse B. gave it an8: qwerty gave it a9: Drex gave it a7: Gator B. gave it a9: Andyman gave it a6: Andy K. gave it a7: |
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