Ismir Softić

PS4 Review Unless you are serious about rally simulation this game is not for you. WRC 9 is a fun rally game that demands from you. At its best it simulates the car to ground physics. Some problems can get in the way of enjoyment, mainly the penalty system and lack of accessibility for newcomers. I am not digging the career mode. I want to be the driver, and driver only as in previous WRC games. While the features and options are nice for those who may like the RPG element, it should have been optional. The controls are great and will test your skills on the track. Even with all the assist the game is hard. Split second decisions are required and good knowledge of the track. The collision physics while on the rack can be way over exaggerated. At times hitting certain objects and barriers at 25mph would make the car act like cardboard box and go out of control. Does not help that the penalty system is harsh. Especially when it comes to the crowd. I know, you should not run them over however; they should move out of the way or at the least not be placed at certain locations. Do event organizers allow crowds to be this close in real life? The problem is, even if you slightly get close to them it is a time penalty and a reset on track. Content in WRC 9 is great. All the cars and tracks for that season is here and there are historic events that will put you in some historic cars. The career mode is deep allowing you to manage the team/crew. This includes choosing you mechanics, advisers, weatherman. As you progress you can earn XP to unlock higher levels and improve performance of your team/crew. This is all done in one place that may seem overwhelming at first but functions well. Once you have everything set you can go to the calendar and choose any available rases for that week. This can be challenges, training and straight rally events. I just wish it was optional and could have Auto mode and skip straight to racing. In the end I find the handling physics to be great, although frustrating. It does create the anxiety and stress that real rally drivers must endure. There is a lot of trial and error before success. The fun is here, but WRC 9 is not a pick up and play by any means.

It has been little over two months since Gran Turismo 7 release. I put many hours into it (100+). It features some improvements over Gran Turismo Sport, and for the most part visually. Most all tracks from GTS are back, with few classic revisions. There are over 400+ cars that are visually stunning and detailed. Gameplay is great, complimented by the implementation of the new haptic feedback feature. There are plenty of assist settings and options for beginners, although practice is the key, and turning down assists as you improve. The license test makes a return and is what you’d expect. GT7 tries to be its former self with GT Mode now knows as World Map and inclusion of tuning options and car customizations. It’s great to see it back and is a lot of fun. The used car dealer makes a return; however, they don’t want your used car. That’s right you can’t sell anything in Gran Turismo 7. Gran Turismo 7 promises to be a batter game over time (well Polyphony Digital does). Since its release it has been patched many times to fix, add and hopefully remove things that should have not/been there from start. As of this review, we are still far from things being stable. Microtransactions (MTX) are present. While not mandatory the game is fixed towards pushing them, with ridiculous grind and lack of credits, and a predetermined roulette reward system. It is somewhat has fixed with an update. I can’t help but feel it was to silence the backlash, rather to make it a better and fair game. One of the biggest problems I have with GT7 is its ALWAYS online practice. This also highjacks your save file. So, if the game is offline due to server down or your internet connections tough luck, no game for you. You can’t access your garage, tune or customize your cars basically, the single player does not exist. You may play the so-called Arcade/Demo mode. The excuse is “to prevent cheating”. It is hard to recommend GT7 at this stage, and even harder to justify the $60-$80 price tag. I can’t even make the argument why you should wait for the improvements as promised by Polyphony Digital. It comes down to how bad you want it and what your money is worth. Had I waited out, as things stand now, I would not get it till things are better or if Greatest Hits version comes out. 2/5 Stars | -1 for MTX -1 Always Online -1 Highjacks your save +2 Its fun

Visually it looks great, but all the collision flaws that are in the original return in this remaster. It will drive you N'Sane. This is a great game collection that serves its purpose. Pleasing those who have the nostalgia for this era, and for those who never experienced it.

Ubisoft requires this game to always be online. You must sign-up a Ubisoft account. A login is always required otherwise the game is useless. This game is not online where you play others but rather ghost data. The Crew 2 also takes forever to start-up do to this. I have a 250Mbps internet connection. In the beginning, the game can be overwhelming when you look into what you can drive and all the events across the U.S.A. I fell the game has unnecessary grind. I got board of it after trying out all the events in few of the vehicles. And yes I gave the game chance multiple times and put some hours into it. Only benefit I have from it is when I just want to cruise around an check out different environments for 30 min or so at a time. I find the progression to be a chore rather then a reward. I don't like the idea of a game always requiring online, regardless of excuses Ubisoft gives. The Crew 2 is not a bad game, just not for me. Although I love racing games, this one I can ignore. Since this game requires online don't bother getting the physical copy, just go digital.

I am having a hard time putting into words how I feel about this game. V-Rally 4 starts off good and offers some nice environments, rally cars, and good visuals. After spending few hours with it, V-Rally 4 got repetitive. While you can jump from one event to another, providing you have the required car. The events will come and go based on the day, rather to stay there till you complete it. The game will challenge you and that is ok, however the challenge is manipulative in nature [the I.A]. You will get punished with time and even charged for damage repair. This is just fine, if it was the same for the I.A for who a lot of times you don’t exist on the track. I never was second in a race just to be 1st because the A.I lost 2 sec for a mistake as I was. The I.A is there for immersion and to ram you from the back as you slowly approach a turn, as you should. Money management plays a big role here as an RPG element. Managing your mechanics and other crew members that you employ. At the end of the week, you will pay them for their service. After each race you will be rewarded money. The amount depends on the A.I difficulty and assistance settings. Also, you will need money to enter races. The game becomes a grind if played on the easiest settings. This is where the repetitiveness comes in. You will race on same tracks till you earn for that next required car. Car upgrades come slowly as well, and in order to complete some of the races you will need it. I found that the Rally races are the most fun. It is you and the clock. Any mistakes I make are my own and can retry the race to improve, feels good when you finish in first. Rally Cross is fun as well, if you are mindful of the I.A. As a fan of rally games, I got V-Rally 4 as an alternative to DiRT or WRC. V-Rally 4 is Arcade-Sim that just sits somewhere in the middle of decent rally games. If you are new to Rally or Off-Road racing, I would recommend Gravel.

DO NOT BUY? As things stand, WB Games has crippled this game regardless what version you are buying. The Aftermath and Ultimate versions are just newly printed games with new cover art. You get the content redeem code card. Nothing is included on the disk, it is the standard Mortal Kombat 11. My game is for PS4. Aftermath version is useless. The game will have a long update and make it Ultimate, even though you do not have the game, nor the content. This occupies space on the hard drive with something you don't own (Same as Injustice 2). I was unable to redeem the content code as I get an error. I made many attempts in re-installing the game, even getting another copy. Contacting WB Games is a pain and I was unsuccessful in doing so. Buy at your own risk. I hope things will work for you.