Let’s start with the graphics and presentation. The graphics themselves are one of the outstanding features of GT5. The new track additions are not just an enjoyable drive, but a scenic tour; especially when driving an equally as beautiful ‘premium’ car. So, the game looks great when you’re driving in your newly acquired Bugatti Veyron around the streets of Rome, but what about the ‘standard’ cars and familiar tracks? All the returning tracks have slightly less impressive scenery (with the exception of the Loch Ness Monster on Trial Mountain) and the lower priced cars also have less impressive textures. The ‘standard’ cars also come with less damage and no cockpit view. Speaking of the new addition of damage; it’s unimpressive to say the least. Even if you crash any of the cars into a wall at a hundred miles per hour, you’ll be lucky to shift more than one polygon. However the menus all look nice, even though some feel quite jumbled presentation wise. It’s also pleasing to see the return of the jazz menu music; it’s the perfect accompaniment to relaxingly viewing your prize cars in the home garage or going shopping for a new ride.
Unfortunately, the rotten core of this game lies in the AI’s ability. The competition faced in races is pitiful. The other cars brake too much; follow each other in a well-rehearsed formation and will even kindly move out of your way when overtaking them. The main challenge in this game comes from attempting to beat a time trial or a license test, which isn’t the reason why anyone would buy a racing game. The new addition of Nascar is another disappointment. It’s near impossible to win on Indianapolis, and again the AI is a big let-down when racing in the rest of the Nascar series. All the Nascars are of almost identical statistics, but it’s no problem to get to the front of the pack and stay there for the rest of the race. Another let down is Formula 1. I was excited at the prospect of Formula 1 being fully implemented in Gran Turismo 5, after the Prologue version allowed players to race in the Ferrari F12010. However, the only official Formula 1 cars that feature on the official game are the aforementioned Ferrari F12010 and the Ferrari F12011. The concept Red Bull X2010 makes an appearance along with driver Sebastian Vettel, so it is beyond imagination why their Formula 1 car is left out; therefore the rest of the F1 line-up is made up of stock ‘Formula Gran Turismos.’
Endurance races are another problem. On Gran Turismo 4, there was an option to do the endurance races (especially the 24 hour ones!) on B-spec mode, where the computer drives for you. However all races on Gran Turismo 5 have to be done on both A-spec and B-spec mode, so the only choice is to drive the race yourself. I recommend having one person drive for the 24 hours, and another to watch your electricity meter go through the roof.
Visually, Gran Turismo 5 is a great game and the car physics are also much improved. But the challenge is still far away from the standard of many other racing games currently on the market. In fact I believe that I could have a more challenging race on the original Gran Turismo. So the series has taken huge steps forwards in graphical capabilities, but it has also taken huge steps backwards in AI capabilities. Finally if you’re going to implement a series of racing such as Formula 1; then either create a full grid or just don’t bother. Yes the Ferrari formula 1 cars are fun to drive; but that only makes you wish that you could race against similar machines.
7/10.
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