Ever since the first time I played the Japanese version of Gran Turismo in January 1998, I have considered it the greatest racing video game franchise in the world. No racing game ever compared to GT. It was more realistic than any other game, and those replays looked so sweet. I spent countless hours on PS1 and PS2 playing Gran Turismo. I even bought a WRX when they first came to the US because I loved the 2000 STi so much in GT3.
So you can imagine my excitement when the first true Gran Turismo game was released for PS3...
My first 75 minutes with GT5:
It's Wednesday November 24th. The day has finally arrived! The game that convinced me to buy a Playstation 3 has finally been released! Hell my PS3 box even had a screenshot of Gran Turismo on it.
(I pop my disc in the PS3 eager as hell to get started) What's this? A 20 minute load screen? No problem. I have 20 minutes.
<45 minutes pass>
Oh cool! I can finally start racing! Wait. What's with this gay ass music? It's terrible. What is this a Capcom game?
Anyways, lets race. Oh yeah, I forgot. I need to get my license before I start racing. What's with these menus. It looks like Gran Turismo 4 on Playstation 2.
<30 minutes pass>
Unfortunately, things didn't improve after that terrible first impression. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions, so I gave the game a few days.
This game is a HUGE disappointment! Only the most dedicated Sony fanboy could defend this one. The presentation is horrible. The menus are only slightly better than what we had on PS2. The graphics are not any better than Forza 3.
Let's do a GT5/Forza 3 categorical comparison.
Graphics
Winner: Forza 3
GT5 suffers from screen tearing on some of the cooler looking stages. Forza has much cooler looking menus. GT5 has crappy looking "Standard" cars. GT5 does seem to have superior lighting effects though, and the graphics are a little crisper. I understand that in a simulation game you shouldn't be crashing your cars, but it sure looks cool when you crash your cars in Forza 3.
Control
Winner: GT5
The PS3 controller seems to be better suited for racing games. I can control the gas better with the right analog stick. I have trouble with partial throttle on the 360 analog stick or trigger.
Sound and music
Winner: Forza 3 by a long shot
GT5 has the worst music of any recent racing game. GT5 cars sound like they're electric or hybrid.
Car Selection
Winner: Forza 3
GT5 may have 100 different Hondas and 150 different Nissans, but their American car selection sucks! How do you include the Vibe and Sunfire, but not the Firebird? Forza 3 had three different Firebirds.
Car Modification
Winner: Forza 3 by a long shot
The modifications are restricted in GT5, especially with the Standard cars.
It's hard to believe that a franchise only five years old could dethrone Gran Turismo, but it has. Forza is the new king of simulation racing.
I'll end this review/rant with a positive note. Forza 4 comes out in 2011.
