Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)

Whether you like GT5 or not will depend on several factors. There are fans of the various franchises out there (GT, Forza, Need for Speed), who will remain largely loyal to the franchise irrespective of the real qualities.More importantly, it will also depend on how much time you are prepared to invest in playing. If you are a novice to driving, or do so more casually, GT5 is very likely to frustrate. It takes time to unlock the some of the more interesting content and if you never played a driving sim (not of the arcadey type) before, there is a steep learning curve ahead. The cars will not drive for you and being left dead last until you learn to drive the cars properly will probably turn away the gamers who make their assessment in the first couple of hours. For that reason it is probably also not as 'child friendly' as some of the other franchises.Some of the early criticisms of the game have been addressed by now and the October 11th release of Spec 2 (free download) - coinciding with Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360) - has addressed a number of the others. Loading speeds are a bit faster now and you can modify some of the car's settings during the loading process, making it a bit less annoying. It still does not load as fast as Gran Turismo 5 Prologue - Platinum Edition (PS3) but then again there is much more content included. You can save in game during the endurance races now, all cars have the option of an interior view, reviews cann be rewinded / FFd, physics are further improved, better support for steering wheels, etc.In terms of driving dynamics the game probably remains closest to being a real sim of all the games on PS3 at least. It does not offer as much in terms of driving aids as the others but then again, nor do most real world cars.In terms of cars, even the non-premium ones now offer an interior view, although that is pretty rudimentary. The graphics have also been bettered by Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360) in the meantime and the car selection, while over 1000 strong, will still leave some player's wishes unfulfilled. Spec 2 brings some new choice in the form of the '11 NASCAR selection, as well as an(other) race GT-R and the October 18th DLC will offer another 15 cars, including an evolution of the Red Bull X car (X2011), and some race modified Japanese and American cars, as well as three new race karts. If the pace of updates continues and new cars get added (or existing ones switched to premium), I guess that the game will at least remain competitive in this aspect.You will also not be able to customize as freely as in the Forza franchise but most relevant stuff is possible and of course the setup possibilities are extremely varied.The new DLC will also bring Spa and two new cart tracks (driveable in both directions), with Spa probably being the real seller of the pack. Some tracks are still noticeably absent but the game is hardly a chore with the selection already in there. The hope for new tracks in further DLC packs is of course high.In terms of race options, the original A and B spec races have been very comprehensively supplemented by Seasonal events, with the rate of addition rising significantly in the meantime, and with most remaining there for good. If you race online, the possibilities in terms of race variety are of course almost unlimited.Damage is still not the game's strong point, even after all the updates. Again, you are probably more interested in driving rather than crashing and if you do it right, it need not come into it. Tyre wear is modelled adequately and for the most part that should suffice.In the end, it is a game that has frustrated many players (including GT fans) but I find that it still has a lot going for it. The driving is the closest to real life I have experienced on PS3 so far, and if you take the time to master this aspect, there is loads of satisfaction to be had. Until GT6, there is unlikely to be any driving sim better for PS3.

I got this on Monday (2 days before release) and have played a good 30 hours up to now, it's lived up to my expectations and beyond.I've just come online and found people giving it 2 star reviews and then saying they've only played it for a few hours, is that really enough time to say the game is rubbish? I think not....The graphics are breat-taking, the cars are gleaming, the tracks are details and realistic (and there's loads of em). The sounds are amazing too, the engine gives a realistic bassy tone on larger engine cars (especially through my surround sound), the soundtrack is excellent, love the Vai, satriani esq Guitar shredding and the 70's/80's mild techno, JMJ / Vangellis style and this is then fused with modern pop, rock etc... all adds to the experience. Also things like driving through snow you get that chrunching sound as you turn your stearing wheel. All very realistic and entertaining.The gameplay is also superb, played the first day with the controller and found the frst few hours a little difficult but went through the licenses and learnt how to control properly and nwo am ripping round circuits like it's nobodys business. Yesterday I got the Logitech GT steering wheel (£79.99 from amazon) and OMG it's stunning, you get even better control with the wheel and pedals...I bought F1 2010 a few weeks ago and found it too hard but am trading that in as the F1 on this is SO MUCH BETTER although not as many options etc, the go-karting is a nice addition too. My favourite tracks are bar far the snowy ones with mountains etc, really great fun, I keep finding myself smilling in awe and disbelief.So perfect? no, it is a little slow at loading and I installed the game as recomended which too about 30 mins, but we're taking about 30 seconds per race. I also didn't like that when playing in arcade you select your track and car and then when you've finished you have to go all the way back to the main menu to select a new track, should maybe add a random option so you get a new track each time, would be nice if you only have 30 mins to have a quick play.I do think I'm in a slightly better position that others with a 63" 3D TV, Samsung 7.1 Surround, Detatched house so the sound is cranked up and the Mrs at work till 9pm each night so I have 5 hours of uninterupted gameplay in the lounge, I doubt I'd enjoy it as much on a small 32" tv or something without the surround and 3d but man does it make my TV look amazing. Although I have yet to try the game in 3D.I am truly gobsmacked at why people don't like this, my advice, buy it and make up your own mind (and get the logitech GT).