Twenty years after its original release, Gran Turismo 4 for the PlayStation 2 has received a significant fan-made mod called Gran Turismo 4 Spec II. This ambitious project aims to enhance and expand the classic racing simulation game in ways that even the original developers, Polyphony Digital, might not have envisioned. Here are the key details about this fan-made retune:

Key Features of Gran Turismo 4 Spec II

• New Content and Additions:
  
  
  • The mod introduces new Driving Missions (35-40) and over 15 new events across various event halls.
    
    
  • It adds new circuits, including Circuit Valencia from Tourist Trophy, to Arcade Mode and the Event Synthesizer.
    
    
  • Players can now repaint cars at GT Auto and purchase manufacturer-specific wheels for most vehicles.
    
    
• Gameplay Enhancements:
  
  
  • A prize car randomizer has been introduced, with a seed based on the player’s username.
    
    
  • An Event Synthesizer with adjustable difficulty levels has been added.
    
    
  • Road cars now start with road tires instead of Sport Medium tires.
    
    
  • The mod tightens restrictions on some events to encourage diverse car usage and strategies.
    
    
• General Improvements:
  
  
  • Enhanced engine sounds for over 400 cars with more than 130 new recordings.
    
    
  • Improved race transmission and tire skid sound effects.
  • New color options for various cars and restored original Esso variants of Exxon cars.
    
    
  • Added Korea-exclusive vehicles like the Hyundai Click Type-R ’04 and Lexus IS200 GT-1 Race Car ’04.
    
    
• UI and Accessibility:
  
  
  • Overhauled car dealership layout with larger period-accurate brochures.
    
    
  • Expanded Race Options menu allowing toggling of individual HUD elements.
    
    
  • Multi-language selection restored from the retail PAL version of Gran Turismo 4.
    
    

Gran Turismo 4 Spec II is out now!

Get it here: https://t.co/UQDWYM93ia

Website with info and install instructions: https://t.co/vYVtzz9JYY

Discuss it on the Racing Game Cafe Discord server: https://t.co/fGYrS0Ibv3 pic.twitter.com/H0AegyrWas

— TheAdmiester (@TheAdmiester) September 19, 2024

Development and Community Impact

The development of Gran Turismo 4 Spec II involved a dedicated team of 14 people who worked to create a comprehensive update that respects the original game’s legacy while introducing fresh content and improvements. The mod is based on the NTSC version of Gran Turismo 4 Online Public Beta and requires this specific version to apply the xDelta patch.