The National Voices section features commentaries and reports on PGR 4 action throughout the world. The contributors have been chosen from the most active members of the PGR community and will provide a unique voice for current and upcoming events.

Right, I’ve had Project Gotham Racing 4 for a few weeks now, played through Arcade Mode, played through Career Mode, played some multiplayer with friends, and a little Ranked, but for this piece I want to concentrate on Arcade Mode.

I played through on Gold difficulty, and the result is: about 50 races caused me no real trouble, about eight required concentration, and two were painful. Really, really painful.

Obviously, all 60 required the “leaning forward elbows on knees approach”—scientifically proven to be worth one second per lap.

I’d done Career before I attacked Arcade—no logical reason, other than Career was the “new bit”—so I had unlocked most of the cars in the shop before I did Arcade. I think that makes it easier, because, throughout, car selection is pretty important.

On car selection, it’s probably not very “Kudos-y,” but I did have a preference for AWD cars, particularly the Lamborghini Gallardo.  I restarted Arcade Mode on another account, taking a deliberate approach of not buying cars, and it is quite a bit harder, but still doable.

I can’t say I did much on bikes; I just can’t get excited about bikes in the real world, so they leave me equally as cold in games. Having said that, my kids love the bikes or, rather, running them over. My son said that, if the riders spent more time racing than waving to the crowd, they might actually win a few races.

I have to confess I am thinking of having a go at Platinum. Gold was three night’s work, so I’m guessing Platinum might be a week’s work. Bizarre published something recently that said less than one percent of PGR 3 players did Platinum. Although it’s only 10 more points for my gamerscore, it might be worth a try.

D’oh! What am I saying? Get a hold of yourself.

Those last two races took me to controller-throwing levels of frustration. A couple of my friends had to put up with full-on rants over Xbox LIVE about how hard they were—but have since shared the joy of getting the achievement for their hard work on Platinum.

Gold caused me just enough frustration to question doing Platinum. It left the door open just wide enough for me consider trying. I know I am going to struggle, I know I am going to get frustrated, but I haven’t beaten it. It’s taunting me every time I load it up.

Hmm, meditate on it I must.

Actually, massive Kudos to whoever did the balancing. The rate of progress throughout was spot on. It looks to me like whatever level of difficulty you target, it will always dangle a carrot of just “one more.” Had there been a dozen really trying races, I would have left it at that, but now, I am so tempted.

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