GT4: Cadillac Cien

[Bruce Nunnally]

We added a PS2 (Playstation 2) at my house so my Wife (& son) could play Dance, Dance Revolution. This has been a success, and reasonable casual exercise.

Perhaps the best, most complex driving simulation is a PS2 only title, "Gran Turismo 4". This is the 2005 version, and fourth generation of this simulation. It is a Japanese game, but has over 650 automobiles modelled, tons of tracks both real world and custom, and a variety of game modes. Every race can be reviewed in TV like replays, or from multiple points of view of any car. You can play in arcade mode, but in Gran Turismo mode you can earn licenses, and compete in racing series to win virtual credits and virtual prize cars. Like most PS2 games, as you progress in the game you unlock features, in this case tracks and cars.

Although GM has a lot of cars in the game, there are no current production Cadillacs, or even historical models. There is, however, a Cadillac jewel included, the 2002 Cadillac Cien prototype/showcar. You may recall that was the V-12 Northstar with 750 hp in a midengine configuration, with looks like a CTS on steroids.

Within the game dynamics, you can win the Cien as a prize car for completing one pair of rally races. This is not simple, but not all that hard. Ask a 13 year old to help if you get stuck.

So now my virtual garage has a 02 Cadillac Cien to use in beginner races against Mazda Miatas and similar lol. But more to the point, just getting to drive the nicely done simulation of the Cien through the various real world tracks has been great fun. Ever want to tear through the streets of Capri or the Nurburgring Nordshleife in a new Cien? This is a the game for you. The unmodified Cien ran a 11.7 sec quartermile btw. You can also have the Cien tuned up at the Cadillac factory, but do you have to have 1K+ Hp or is 750hp really adequate most days?

Hopefully future GT's will include the CTS, CTS-V, et al. Great fun to have a detailed simulation of the car you drive to play with. I was also disappointed that the 2005 Corvette (C6) was missing, although the 2005 Mustang GT was in the game, and the new Chrysler 300C.

[davedog]

We just (last week) purchased a used PS2 for the purpose of playing DDR as well Bruce! LOL. A friend brought over the game, and we got hooked. Never had any non-nintendo systems, so the PS2 is new to me, and I was thinking about finding some other games besides DDR, so I will check this one out.

-dave

[JasonA]

I bought a PS/2 a few years ago for the express purpose of playing GT3, which I got hooked on while babysitting some family friends with my wife. I was prepaid and reserved for GT4, and I was there the day it was released to pick it up. What a great game.

The only reservations I have about the Cien is the FULL SECOND it takes to complete a shift. It's by far the slowest-shifting vehicle that I've found in the game. And I can't figure out how to fix it either.

Favorite cars: '87 Buick GNX, '00 Corvette C5, '96 Corvette GS, '92 Lancia Delta Evo (both rally and street versions), Chrysler 300C, Dodge Viper SRT-10, Dodge Ram Hemi 4x4, and a few others. Because of my passion for GM's G-body cars, the '87 Buick was the first vehicle I bought. I also have almost all of the '60s muscle cars...the Chevelle being one of the best in my opinion. I also really enjoy driving the 'Cuda.

This is definitely a game for ANY gear head.

[Bob D]

If I'm not mistaken, my #2 son left a PS2 (with GT something) lying around somewhere...

Hmmm...

(have to look wheh I get back up the hill..)

[ByStorm]

GM has various vehicles in the Playstation game "Midnight Club" the DUB edition, there is also a Cien as well as a Sixteen and CTS. I have not won the Cien or the Sixteen yet but, I will.

You also have the ability to trick these cars to your likeing.

Anyone interested can go to Rockstar games and check it out.

One....