Iconic racing game capable of instantly fascinating with mind-blowing graphics, a very refined overall UI design and a killer soundtrack, but also supported by rock-solid driving mechanics.
I don't have a lot of experience with racing games of this kind, and frankly, until now I wasn't even particularly drawn to them, but with Ridge Racer Type 4 for some reason I immediately felt I had to dive in and see how far the driving experience could go. Driving in this game is really an experience that engages all the senses at once, with the tactile feel of the tight drifting mechanics that you gradually get used to and the audiovisual magic that is created on each track: it really is a gameplay delight from all points of view.
I also enjoyed the nice touch of the little narrative excerpts that take place between grand prix races, with the leaders of each team interacting with the protagonist, gradually revealing their motivations and emotional connection to the racing world.