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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2007

System: Microsoft Xbox 360

Publisher: Microsoft

Reviewer's rating: ***

ESRB rating: Everyone

Game type: Racing

Kind of like: 'PGR3' with motorcycles

Best feature: Whether you're zipping through rain or fog, across ice or snow, the weather effects are amazing.

Worst feature: 'PGR4' isn't much different from 'PGR3,' which wasn't much different from 'PGR2.'

The bottom line: Gearheads have 'Forza Motorsport.' Speed freaks have 'Ridge Racer.' And for those of us with more moderate temperaments, there's 'Project Gotham.'

As always, the fourth installment of this popular racing series successfully finds the middle-ground between simulation-style realism and arcade-style fun.

The game's 120-plus vehicles, including the 1965 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray and the 1957 Maserati 250F, look and handle just like their real-life counterparts. The gorgeously rendered tracks are authentic, too, such as the courses in Tokyo, New York and Quebec City.

But you don't have to know a gear ratio from a drag coefficient to get your vehicle on the track and start racing. There's no engine tweaking in the garage, and your vehicles don't even sustain damage (other than cosmetically) during races.

Speaking of races, these are a bit different: Taking the checkered flag is important, but the game's "Kudos" system awards bonus points for stylish moves, such as drafting, passing and clean cornering.

The big new feature in this version - motorcycles, which we found less than challenging (to put it mildly) - is underwhelming.

But the game's online integration is second to none.

Rommie Johnson

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