Bigpower

My hunger for a decent racing game on the PS3 was placated by the recent releases of Need for Speed PS and the more recent Burnout Demo, great arcade style fun. Not quite fully scratching the videogame itch though. Needing something a little more intense, I ordered my GT5 from Hong Kong and eagerly awaited the delivery.

The game is region free and will work perfectly on any 60gb PS3 (not tried it on a 40gb, will be happy to lend it for tests if a member wants it) The menus are kind of familiar but the Japanese text is a nuisance, of that there is no doubt. The UK release date is a few weeks away and the import costs are similar to the expected UK rrp.

The basis of the game, for those living in a cupboard for the last 13 years, is earn money from racing, buy better cars, earn more money, etc etc. GT5 promises genuine high definition gaming with 1080p graphics and detail quite unlike anything seen on a console before.

Most of the races, of which there are around 35 I guess, consist of multiple laps against many similarly specced opponents around circuits such as Suzuka, Fuji raceway and a few fictitious courses. The big deal here is that the opponent count is way up. Most races feature 16 cars are jostling for position on corner entry, much like 16 Bladeys all trying to get to the cantene at Snettertons restaurant on the night of a meet. Still no damage to the cars but the penalty system is still in place so blatant black flag activity incurs a 5 second rolling speed limiter, a pretty good deterrent.

Visuals are superb, the animation very good with only the very slightest flicker when in heavy traffic, no slow down at all........I have encountered one incident of dodgy collision detection and one little tiny 'tear' in a reflection on a car I was chasing. It may have been the Worlds shiniest chrome trim but I doubt it. Both gripes were one offs.

The incar view is truly great. The dash spot on. The sensation of speed also, very good. I love the handling too.

There are 50 cars to unlock and some tough races. Couple this with an online game mode so you can race your chums and I doubt you'll find a better way of spending

Sounds superb but I think I'm gonna wait until the actual GT 5 comes out. I just don't wanna spend the money on Prologue and then more money when the actual comes out.

What is the ai like Stu ?
Thats the big put off for me about the Gran Turismo series.

Braking hard for a corner and then being pelted behind and then forced off the racing line by an ai driver who is sticking to the set racing line is always what I remember from the GT games. Forza ai was superb and would adapt to whatever you were doing.

Real shame there is no damage but from the vids I have seen of the game running it does look great.

Good review mate.

how does it compare to forza 2?

GT3 was the main reason i bought a PS2, but i feel there is a more than worthy competitor in forza2. the 360 had the PS3 beat last year with the amount of quality games released. i have a feeling sony will have a better year this year once developers get used to the developing hardware, and they also need to have a serious price slash to be able to compete with the 360 and wii.

GT5 Prologue is only a starter compared to the main course that the full game will represent, whenever that is released.

Damage will be introduced, so they say, and this will help to close the gap between GT and other decent games.

As per the price differences between PS3, Wii and the 360............

Wii- a very basic games machine with a Gamecube inside. Great fun but it can only play games.