Sega GT 2002

Sega GT 2002
Developer(s)	Wow Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Sega
Composer(s)	Masanori Takeuchi
Platform(s)	Xbox
Release date(s)	NA September 2, 2002 [1] JP September 12, 2002 [1] PAL November 8, 2002 [1]
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single Player, Multiplayer

Sega GT Online
Developer(s)	Wow Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Xbox
Release date(s)	JP December 25, 2003 [2] NA January 27, 2004 [2] PAL February 6, 2004 [2]
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single Player, Multiplayer

Sega GT 2002 is the sequel to Wow Entertainment's Racing Game Sega GT, released in Japan late in 2002 as a competitor to the PlayStation 2's highly successful Gran Turismo 3. The game was originally intended to be released for the Dreamcast, but when the Dreamcast was discontinued in 2001, the game was reprogrammed for the Xbox. Following its initial release as a retail game, it was given away on a disk with Jet Set Radio Future in specially-marked Xbox console packages. Sega released Sega GT Online for the following year, with extra cars and an online facility to be used with the Xbox Live.

Sega GT 2002 introduced plenty of innovative features, many of which were later adopted by future games of its kind.

The game's cover features a Ford GT40 (called a Ford GT in the game), a Ford GT (called a Ford GT Concept in the game), and a Ford GT90.

Game features

• This is the only GT-style game that allows you to select your opponents directly. (Forza Motorsport 4's online mode allows the player to limit the vehicle choices and even race against only AI drivers)

• Unlike the original game, there are no works cars to win anymore, even though old racing cars can still be won from races. Some prizes are "special prizes" that can only be won by doing a certain objective.

• The game makes use of a "damage meter" in lieu of rendered damage, but while it does not affect the handling, it will reduce the awarded prize money at the end of the race. When the player finishes the race with the car unscratched, the game will award a bonus cash prize. In turn, you will either finish with more or less than the prize money advertised, depending on the meter.

• Unlike Gran Turismo, the license tests are merely timed laps, instead of separate tests focusing on specific elements of driving.

Car features

• As applies to the real world, it is the only game of its kind that doesn't give the player fresh parts after each race, most notably tires, and encourages them to service the car at a regular interval depending on wear and tear.

• This is the first game sold outside the Japanese market to emphasize largely on pre '80s classic Japanese cars, or "Nostalgic Hero" cars after the Japanese magazine of the same name. An example is the Honda S600.

• It is the first GT-style game to allow you to name your price when you sell your car, rather than selling it at a fixed price. A price is named for your car and it then appears outside your garage with a "For Sale" sign. The player must race (i.e. passing days) before the car is bought. Setting a higher price will result in a lower chance of your car being purchased, simulating a proper market. Also, only one car can be "For Sale" at a time: a user with a number of cars that must be sold quickly must set comparatively low prices. (The Forza Motorsport series utilizes online auctions, but vehicles can only be sold in-game for a fixed price.)

Game modes

Sega GT 2002: Start with just $13,000 to buy a car, then raise money to buy faster cars and become the Official Race champion.

Quick Battle: Race a single race against a CPU or human opponent, or alternatively, watch a CPU race.

Chronicle Mode: Use classic cars from the 1960s and 1970s, tune them up over time, and try to defeat newer cars. Time Attack: Try and beat your fastest lap-time on any circuit in the game.

Replay Studio: View and edit saved replays

Online

Sega GT Online was released in Japan in 2003 and the US and Europe in 2004. It featured the addition of "over 40" new cars (now 165+) including Auto Union, Bugatti, and De Tomaso vehicles. some new tracks, new weather/time of day, added "Gathering Mode" to arcade mode and "Special Time Triggered Events" Unlike the regular version, it was rated T due to the unpredictable multiplayer interactions. Its cover features a Mazda RX-8.

Reviews

The game has received generally favourable reviews and currently holds a score of 82% on Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 35 out of 40.^[3]

References