RE: GT5: Worth The Wait, Or Wot?

RE: GT5: Worth The Wait, Or Wot?

Wednesday 1st December 2010

GT5: Worth The Wait, Or Wot?

PH emerges from the games room and asks what day it is...



It's been a few days since Gran Turismo 5 was released, and at last the guys in the office have unlocked the door to the PH games cupboard and dragged me out for a verdict.

Has it been long enough time to form opinions about the gameplay, they demand to know? And more importantly what's the answer to the burning question on everyone's lips - has this new version of Gran Turismo really been worth the six year wait?

But such trivialities as 'waiting' don't concern me when it comes to games like GT5. You see, to a petrol-head console addict, there's more to driving games than getting hold of the fastest cars, winning races and getting trophies.

No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving, not necessarily racing. So whether it's drifting a Volvo 240 Estate around London, or hours and hours spent making sure the damper rates are just perfect, that secret ingredient has to be present in a game like this.


Luckily, GT5 has lots of the secret ingredient. There's such an array of cars and tracks that it'd be difficult for any real car fan not to find their vice, even if it's as obscure as collecting Kei cars (which is mine), 4WD super estates, modern classics, or even MGFs. GT5 caters to all tastes, which is its trump card.

Another thing petrolheads might appreciate, and which will hark back to that difficult world we call 'reality' is the game's used car dealer. Finding the car you're looking for is a real task in GT5.You can have all the money in the world, but if the dealer doesn't have your ultra rare vehicle in stock, then it's tough.

But all that special ingredient was abundant in GT4, so what extra elements does GT5 have that really justify those six years of development? The answer is in the details. Whether it's the pop of flames on a downshift, or the impeccable handling model, everything that was good in previous GT games is here, but improved.


And the story doesn't stop there. There are plenty of entirely new cars, which are modelled so beautifully that a spectator might easily mistake them for the real thing. There's also a set of rewarding 'special' challenges which are much more rewarding than standard races.

As well as new additions, some of GT4's annoyances have been ironed out. The menu system isn't the wonky mess it was in GT4, and the sometimes infuriating licence tests aren't necessary to progress in the game.

Then of course, there's that staple of Gran Turismo, the tuning and customisation. But sadly that's one area in which GT5 has been overtaken -and indeed lapped - by Forza 3.

There's a lot of scope for turbocharging, tuning and tweaking, but Forza has so much more. It gives players the option to paint veritable artworks on their cars, as well as swap engines and add a larger array of parts. A RWD Chevrolet Aveo with a supercharged V8 is possible in Forza 3, and it certainly isn't in GT5.


And while on that all too clichéd comparison between Forza and Gran Turismo, there's the subject of cockpits. The cockpits on Forza aren't quite as polished as the ones in GT5, but there are more of them. That's because in GT5, they're only modelled on 'premium' cars, of which there are relatively few compared to standard cars.

When asked about the differences at the game launch, president of Polyphony digital, Kazunori Yamauchi, told us that every premium car in the game took six months to create. No wonder there aren't cockpits on all of the cars, or the game would never have come out! Standard cars are lifted from previous incarnations of Gran Turismo, given a polish, and dropped into GT5.

However, it's early days if the patching schedule is anything to go by. Within the four days of the games release, two patches have been released to add more functionality. The game designers say these updates will be regular, and will add more premium cars, as well as improvements to damage modelling, and fixes to bugs.


It seems that the perfectionism that delayed the game for so long will also be present in the ongoing updates for the game. But if the updates take forever, I'm not too bothered, because I have a Volvo 240 to drift and a million little Japanese K cars to buy.

Collecting, tuning and tweaking is what makes Gran Turismo games so unique, and with awe inspiring graphics, a greater selection of cars, and all sorts of new and interesting driving environments, the answer to the 'has it been worth it question' is clear.

Yes - so go ahead and stick it on your Christmas 'wanted' list.

Author
Discussion

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

276 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Here's me thinking it was a new Lambo.

Nope - just some Kiddies Toy Game!!!!!!!!

robsco

7,822 posts

175 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Shouldn't this be in Computer Games?

Aused

293 posts

168 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
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I love it, for all the reason you have outlined. It would be nice to have more premium cars but maybe they are leaving the door open for downloadable upgrades and I certainly would be willing to splash out for the things I want.

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

276 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Is there a Kids section on PH - maybe in there?

Beefmeister

16,482 posts

229 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
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I'm assuming that just like the old game, you need to win races in order to unlock certain cars?

I'd like it if there was a GT5:Unlimited version that you could buy, with all cars, tracks and special doo-dahs unlocked already. I used to have the time to work through the games and win all these things, but these days all i want to do is fire it up, have a couple of races and then leave it.

I'd be happy to pay more for it - £60 Vs £40 for the standard game.

So how about it Polyphony?

edit: That last shot makes me really want my old RX-7 again!!!




Edited by Beefmeister on Wednesday 1st December 10:53

Original Poster

5,429 posts

175 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Glad to hear they are bringing more premium cars to the game!

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?


Meoricin

2,880 posts

168 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
jellison said:
Is there a Kids section on PH - maybe in there?
Shouldn't you be in school? Most people mature past the idea that specific things are only for children when they're about 18.

A nice, balanced review - it's nice to see something fair which might override some of the trolls and give more answers to those who are curious.

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

276 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?
Maybe I should suggest - "Getting out a bit!!!"

vdubbin

2,165 posts

196 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
"Outside" Are you mad? Have you seen the snow?

As for "kiddies game?" I think not. Get with the times, granddad.

One point on the review, you've forgotten to mention just how bloody frustrating some of the races an challenges are.
I've spent dozens of hours on the first Top Gear challenge, and I've still only a silver cup to show for it…

Edited by vdubbin on Wednesday 1st December 11:07

Steve Evil

10,653 posts

228 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
jellison said:
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?
Maybe I should suggest - "Getting out a bit!!!"
You're about 10 years too late to the 'knocking games' party.

Guvernator

13,103 posts

164 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Pretty balanced review, it's very good but not perfect as it has a few issues keeping it from being thus, however the driving element ie handling etc is spot on and it's a car kleptomaniacs wet dream and yes it does oversteer, in spades if you so wish.

I'm also gald that PD are continuing work on it. It's only been out a week and there have already been two massive updates adding new features and fixing things so it looks like they definately have an ear on public opinion and will be making it even better as time goes on.

As for the kiddies comments, very ironic. I recommend some people grow up and possibly join the 21st Century while they are at it.

Edited by Guvernator on Wednesday 1st December 11:11

E36GUY

5,906 posts

217 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
jellison said:
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?
Maybe I should suggest - "Getting out a bit!!!"
Could I suggest you try these 'kiddies' games?

Original Poster

5,429 posts

175 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
jellison said:
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?
Maybe I should suggest - "Getting out a bit!!!"
Classic!

The above would be worthwhile mentioning in the review if you lived under a duvet and practiced martial arts alone with your dog dressed up, but for the majority, I think the review would be classed as good.

ToMBoMB

76 posts

179 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
I've had the game a few days and i'm level 21 now. This levelling system is really starting to get on my nerves. I don't understand the point of it. I'm having to grind the same race after race for hours in order to get the cars I need to progress. Unlike in GT4 the cars you win are often worse than the cars you actually need to win the race. You cannot win the really expensive cars through prizes. Instead you have repeatedly do the same races over and over. How your ever meant to buy the 20Million F1 car is beyond me. That would take days and days of saving. Probably 200+ races.

I enjoyed the game up till now but its repetitiveness is wearing thin. I can't unlock any more special events (endurance levels) till level 25, by which time I probably will have given up with the game.

amare32

2,417 posts

222 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Epic fail from Polypony for not modelling the RX7 with a 15" drain pipe exhaust.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
jellison said:
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but that was a terrible review. It states that "No, games like Gran Turismo and Forza are about driving" and then doesn't mention how well the cars drive.

Given this is a motoring forum, surely there should have been some mention about the efficacy of the physics modelling for the cars. Does it do lift off oversteer, can you adjust the yaw of the car on the throttle, how much does set-up effect the car, etc, etc?
Maybe I should suggest - "Getting out a bit!!!"
Given you describe yourself as pot-bellied on your profile I suggest you take your own advice fella.

The game is marketed as a driving simulator, I don't think it's particularly unreasonable to expect a review on a car (not a games) website to comment on how well it simulates driving.

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

276 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Yes I am the spit of Ron Jeremy (my Idol ronjeremy.com).

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
Funny every track day hero and club racer belittle sims thinking they are above such things, while their hero drivers they hope to emulate go home and play them after they've one a championship or two. biggrin

Yes it's worth the wait, presuming you did something else in the meantime, otherwise nothing is..

jellison

Original Poster:

12,803 posts

276 months

Wednesday 1st December 2010
quotequote all
The perfect Nerdy pressie - are you Married!