PGR4

One of the great things about having a Xbox 360 during the E3 show is being able to download many of the game trailers that the convention goers get to see then viewing them on my 60" TV.  I wasn't to interested in any particular game to play last night so I decided to d/l a few of the trailers to see what's coming out soon.  One of the ones that I was really interested in seeing was the PGR4 trailer.  I loved PGR3.  It was probably the first racing game that I've ever wanted to play, it was the first I ever finished and it ushered in the 360 to my living room.  Forza2 has been a great racing game I've played over the last few weeks and has taught me to be a better racer, but my first racing love is still PGR. 

The first thing you notice in the trailer is the use of the fabled weather system being used in the races.  This really is exciting to me.  I've read that the weather can often change mid-race.  The great thing about this development is the way it (should) change the tracks from one race to the next. It (should) make for a more varied experience each race and thus provide more longevity for the game.  The next thing I noticed was the motorcycle being prominently displayed in the game.  Some have expressed hesitation about having motorcycles in a PGR game.  Usually the idea that motorcycles should be left in games like MotoGP is the reasoning.  What intrigues me about cycles in PGR is that PGR has always been a nice balance between a sim racer and an arcade racer.  MotoGP was (imo) too technical.  There was no sense of speed and the tracks, while pretty, were kinda boring.  PGR should add a more "playability" factor to motorcycle racing, plus being able to race and, more importantly, crash with cars on the track should be great.

I've also talked with a few people who think that the PGR series has a lot to overcome in order to be as good as Forza.  I agree, to a point.  Personally I think by the time PGR4 is released Forza will have run it's course a bit.  I know that PGR won't have the customization options or the same feel as Forza (at least I assume so), but personally I wouldn't want another Forza game.  Forza 2 is great just like it is, but my next racing game needs to be something a little different.  Once PGR4 is released this fall I'll definitely be ready for something different.  As much as I like the Forza game I do get quite bored with running the same boring race tracks over and over.  It's interesting that many people seem to really like the Maple Valley track.  It's the one that in my opinion looks the least like a race track (if you don't count the boring back and forth NY track).  Personally I'd prefer the street racing of PGR4 and I'd really like to see a few of those style tracks available as down loadable content for Forza 1 day.

If you haven't seen it yet in it's big screen glory, be sure to download the vid to your 360 and check it out. See ya on the track.