Replacement for PGR4?

[jpublic]

Okay, after playing PGR3 to death, I went and picked up PGR4. This was a while ago. Now, I've been working on it on and off, but I find it hard to be as absorbed in it as I was with PGR3. It just doesn't have the...fun factor, I guess...that 3 did.

So, I'm looking for a new candidate to be my racing game of choice. I'm particularly looking at Forza 2 and Burnout Paradise.

I'll tell you what I want:

1) Arcade style gameplay, not simulation. (No Gran Turismo tweaking of every little bit, thanks.)
2) Difficulty levels that allow me to maintain my childish joy for dominating the opponents. I play racing games to relax, not get stressed.
3) Fun progression schemes - PGR3's money+garage was fun. PGR4's wacky setup confuses the heck out of me.

Any suggestions?

[jacob.armitage]

Forza 2 is quite a good game, but it lacks the graphical polish of the first title and certainly falls closer to the simulation style of gameplay. you don't need to tweak everything, like in gran turismo but you can.

from what your after burnout certainly seems like the clear choice. its very fun and you can find yourself getting sucked in, i personally didn't enjoy how open ended it was. the more structured burnout 3 format i find more appealing. and the lack of a retry option can be irritating. but the game looks and plays great despite those two minor flaws.

if you have happen to have a PS3, don't forget you can buy it straight from PSN. if not, a used copy for the 360 should not run you very much, and the game has been updated quite a bit with new content (for free!) already.

[nnanji]

Midnight Club LA. There are a few races that require you to do them on hard mode to unlock a rare car, but with the right vehicle even hard races are easily won. The power ups are also fun, and add to the arcade feel.

[jacob.armitage]

i would add that i found midnight club LA to be very frustrating due to the aggressiveness of the opponent AI. it does have an excellent arcade feel, and some entertaining online aspects. and it ramps up fast. same with the new NFS. both where pretty far from relaxing for me.

[Food Nipple]

Burnout Paradise fits your description perfectly, definitely get that over Forza 2.

[nnanji]

i would add that i found midnight club LA to be very frustrating due to the aggressiveness of the opponent AI. it does have an excellent arcade feel, and some entertaining online aspects. and it ramps up fast. same with the new NFS. both where pretty far from relaxing for me.

I found the aggressive AI to add to the fun, especially when you got the power ups. Nothing like kicking on Aggro and sending them flying like bowling pins. To each their own, obviously.

[Adam Blue]

I wouldn't consider Burnout a racing game and it's certainly way too arcadey if you dig PGR.

[Orca]

It might be too arcade for your tastes, but Race Driver: Grid sounds like it might work.

[maharahaj]

GRID is the perfect substitute (and upgrade!) to PGR type racing. Download the demo. The AI can be made easier in the retail version than what appears in said demo.

[yeti]

Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts?!?

Not a real racing game but it's got some decent enough time trialsy stuff in it and you can build your own vehicle, I'm currently racing around in Optimus Prime!

OK, I'll just shut up now and throw my vote in for Sega Rally. Great fun, especially if you have a FF wheel.

But seriously, BK:N&B :)

[Hyperglide]

I haven't picked it up yet but GRID is definetly on my wish list for this year. I have also heard good things about Midnight Club LA. I might get this one for my mom for Xmas.

Also and older game I heard is pretty good and might be cheap but hard to find (even on eBay) is Test Drive Unlimited (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/13176.html).

If you don't like frustration then stay away from the NFS games. The AI is tethered so you can't build a huge lead. Also cops can be a hassle if you aren't used to being boxed in and rammed and don't have quick reflexes to avoid spike-strips, barrels and roadblocks. However you'll definetly get a rush from blowing by millions of cops and evading them especially with a pursuit breaker.

[Grifter]

My favorite 360 arcade style racers in order from best to good.

Grid
Burnout
Dirt
PGR3 (haven't played 4 yet)
NFS: Most Wanted (take heed of Hyperglide's warning, though I still find it fun he is spot on)

I don't know why but I have always hated the Midnight Club games. It always seemed to me that the driving physics and controls were an after thought and the graphics are years behind it's competition.

I only played the demo for Test Drive Unlimited and really enjoyed it but never got around to picking it up mainly because I was broke during the time period it was released then I forgot about it. I could easily see that as being a fun and relaxing game, just hop in your Ferrari turn on the radio and cruise around Hawaii.

[KingGorilla]

Burnout Paradise fits your description perfectly, definitely get that over Forza 2.

What I thought after he said he was not a Gran Tourismo Fan. Forza is a gear head's dream, to be sure. Not for a guy looking to drive fast cars on his TV.

Going outside of the car realm, Pure and Dirt are fun. At least the demos.

[UnderHero5]

I wouldn't consider Burnout a racing game and it's certainly way too arcadey if you dig PGR.

Just curious... how would you not consider Burnout a racing game?...

[jpublic]

After considering prices, I figured Burnout at $25 was my risk point. Thanks for the input, guys.