20.1.2008

GT5: Prologue is alot more than 'half a game' or 'just a demo'... it's a fully loaded precursor to GT5 proper, and as such it promises to deliver a first taste of the next generation of racing games for the PS3. Complete with an all new physics engine and presented in glorious 1080p Hi-Def, GT5: Prologue is arguably the most realistic driving simulator to date.GT5: Prologue has 6 tracks with 2 variants each: London (Forward and Reverse), Daytona (Speedway and Road Cuurse), Fuji (GT and F1 variants), Eiger Nordwand (Forward and Reverse), High Speed Ring (Forward and Reverse) and Suzuka (F1 and East Course circuits). The game also features over 70 stunningly modelled and ultra-realistic cars,including the Ferrari F40, Ferrari 512 BB and the Ferrari F2007 Formula One car!. It also features many brand-new models such as the Nissan GT-R and the Audi R8. Each car is lovingly modeled in breathtaking detail - including (for the first time in the GT series) the interior of the car.The new physics engine for GT5 raises the bar in terms of realism and the game can be played in either Standard Physics (more like previous GT games) and Professional Physics (more challenging and alot more realistic). GT5:P also features the ability to "Quick Tune" cars, which adds a whole extra dimension to the game (and hence also adds a bit of shelf-life to the title).The new 'in-car' view is superb, and offers the driver a much more realistic experience. The game is also fully compatible with the latest wheels (e.g the G25) and will also be compatible with the forthcoming DualShock3 - the replacement controller for the SIXAXIS - which comes complete with the 'rumble' function (as with the DS2 for the PS2). There is also the customary Arcade modes - both Race and Time Trial, and the game also includes challenging mission-style races which will keep even the most hardcore player challenged. The game also has a new Drift Mode as well, which combined with the ability to tune the handling characteristics of the cars, allows for the drift aspect of the game to be fully exploited.As is typical with the GT series, this game includes a number of new innovations from the previous title (GT4), and a number of these will be dependent upon having your PS3 connected to the internet. The new GT-TV feature allows you to receive HD video content of car-related films. Full episodes of Top Gear are known to be in the pipeline, for example. Net access is also necessary to receive updates to the game itself. But of course, the main advantage of being connected up to the web is to be able to race online, which potentially adds a huge new dimension to the game and raises the value of Prologue immensely...Online Mode ReviewSo far, the online experience with GT5:P leaves a bit to be desired. Firstly, the good points: There are a range of events for a range of different abilities, and up to 16 players can participate in most races. Online promises to offer the possibility of some great racing against the world's best players, but you can take it at your own pace by sticking to Beginner or Intermediate level events until you have built up a bit of experience. Once you have joined a race, you are shown a list of who you are up against, where they are from, and what they are driving. Their PSN usernames are also displayed during the race, so it is possible to identify who is doing what - helpful if you want to remember good (or bad) drivers in the future!Secondly, the bits that need improving... crucially, there is presently no way to set up a private race with invited drivers or PSN Friends only. This means that you are only able to race against whoever you are given to race against. For the most part, this is fine, but sadly this offers you no protection against poor or unfair drivers who seem hell-bent on winning at all costs, or simply disrupting an otherwise good race. Depending on your internet connection speed, and the internet connection speeds of others in the race, you are likely to encounter some odd sights. Some cars appear to move highly erratically and this does make some races difficult. Perhaps the single biggest complaint about the online mode, however, is the penalty system. Penalties are incurred for collisions, ramming, contact etc., but all too often you find yourself on the receiving end of such an action only to find yourself penalised 5 seconds, despite having done nothing wrong yourself. It can take a while to join a race, and (in my experience anyway) seems fairly random. Sometimes you can join in a matter of seconds, sometimes it takes over a minute - not that long, but seems like forever when you are itching to race! Also, you are at the mercy of whoever is selected to 'host' the race - and if the race host quits, the race is over for everyone. It is not made clear to you that you are the host, but the host can be identified as the person at the top of the grid. Somewhat confusingly, the 'Grid' that appears before the race (to show who is in your race) is not the same as the starting order of the cars on the track!However, being in the early stages, there are bound to be updates coming that iron out some or all of these issues to some extent or another. Certainly, the forthcoming inclusion of in-game communication will add a much-needed feature to the online experience, but the ability to invite friends to specific races, or to create your own events surely has to be the next logical step.SummaryAll in all, this is alot of game for your money - and credits earned in this game will carry forward into the full version later (I don't know if that includes cars you have bought/earned etc., but I'd guess that your garage will be transferable too!)... So, in my opinion this game is very good value for money, especially when you bear in mind that the full version of the game is not likely to be with us anytime soon.

23.1.2008

Gran Turismo has long been the benchmark for the home Driving simulation game. GT3 and GT4 on the PS2 were absolute marvels, providing hundreds of cars, a deep career mode, plenty of tuning opportunities and a vast array of tracks to choose from. In short, nothing else really got close to it. The physics engines on both those games were brilliant for their time, and brought along many enthusiasts to the genre. Forget arcade-style Need For Speed, that's all fun and games, but for real skill Gran Turismo is where it's at. For those not used to the series, getting to grips with how it drives will take some getting used to, (no stupid arcade-driving into bends at 200mph, oh no!) but once you get the basics,you're away. As with any game with big hype, there is a massive danger it may fall below expectations. Like NFS Pro-Street for example, which had a large build up but turned out only mediocre. Not here though...oh no. ;)Having received my Blue-Ray copy of GT5 Prologue from Japan (about 3 months before the UK release), I was initially disappointed to find that there were just approximately 40 cars, about 6 or so tracks and a reasonably short career mode. But this game is only the Prologue to the full GT5, and let me tell you all, if this is a taster of what's to come, the future is very bright. `GT5P' has a further improved physics engine, with the cars behaving in many different ways and reacting very well to how you drive them. The graphics are nothing short of immense, and even on my plain-Jane non-HD TV, the game does look special. The 40-odd cars that have made it onto this version are all brilliantly modelled off the ones in real life, all very individual, and it is fabulous to see the inclusion of premium dream machines like the latest Corvette ZO6, Audi R8, 2008 Nissan GTR and of course, the long-awaited introduction of the legendary brand Ferrari. That's right car-fans, this version includes two current production road Ferrari's, the baby F430 and the (pricey but fabulous)599 GTB, and let me tell you, they are both truly fantastic to race around suzuka circuit in :D. Turn off the traction-control and you can muscle the back-ends out of them around corners, it's truly great fun. We get the usual dose of every-day real life heroes like Evo's, Subaru's and Type-R Honda's which also fill their bit in the game. There are no racecars in this version, but to be honest, I prefer racing road versions anyway.Disappointed by lack of the famous Nurburgring track like in GT4, but there are some nice scenic routes to race along, and various manufacturer events, so it should take at least a reasonable while to complete the game. The Xbox 360 has it's own brilliant driving titles such as Forza 2 and Project Gotham Racing 4, and they are both superb in many respects and certainly great fun, but now GT5P has raised the bar once again and has set the barrier higher for simulations to aspire to. I simply cannot wait until Polyphony unleashes the full-on version. This one is fantastic, but you get the feeling the full GT5, which is said to include damage-modelling and massive car-tuning, will be an instant classic, and a truly legendary piece of software. In the mean time though, this amazing teaser is well worth buying!9/10- Simply Outstanding! Only lack of multiplayer, limited tracks and no damage stop it being perfect. Roll on GT5 the full-version...

4.10.2009

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is excellent.I have always been a fan of the series but this really does take the biscuit the graphics are stunning and the motion is incredibly fluid it easy to appreciate the 60 frames per second. The cockpit view is a very welcome addition and as well as increasing the immersion of the game it also provides a greater sense of speed whilst driving and being able to peek out your side windows as you pass an opponent is just a damn cool.Since purchasing the game I have also got the steering wheel to match which is also very impressive and once you get used to it, it becomes hard to imagine playing a racing game without it.As mentioned in other reviews there are only 6

16.7.2009

I think it's unfair to judge this game as a full game. This is more like an extended demo or a taster version.So the first thing that hits you is how amazing the graphics are. I've never seen a game rendered so beautifully. The only criticism I have of them is the jaggies. The textures are very detailed and the models are very smooth due to the high amount of polygons. Also the game is rendered in a glorious 1920x1080 (1080p) HD resolution. But the one thing that make this look really impressive is the reflections.Secondly, I'd like to comment on the game physics. This is most probably an even bigger improvement than the gfx over GT4. Even just playing the game with a controller you can feel how much more realistic the cars response is.

24.1.2008

Having played the japaense version i have to point out that there is no photo mode and friends list. Although the game is constantly being updated. By the time the rest of the world gets this it should all be in.First thing that strikes you is the detail and graphics. 16 car races add alot to the fun. Everything has been redone from scratch and it shows. As with all GT games attention to detail is their speciality. So no need to go indepth there! In the 1080p mode you will get enahnced high res hd graphics which are quite frankly insane.There are about 32 main Offline events not to mention many manufacturer only events(alot!). Online events change roughly once a week.

5.4.2008

I had this game for a few days now. GT HD bought some of the grip back into the game. Even GT 4 had better grip cars. Now we end up sliding off the track again. Okay I'm not one of those amatuers that goes round corners at 100 miles an hour. Ive been playing GT from the first game. This game the car handling and grip is something to be desired. You feel like your on ice a lot of the time. The A>I are very tough and aggressive. They seem to have better grip on their cars. Okay some of them veer off track but do they get slapped with the same penalties???I got a Nissan GTR as the second car. 80,000 credits. Fair enough its fast but the handling is something to be desired. Its not that its bad.

31.3.2008

You get what you pay for with GT5: Prologue, and that's half a Gran Turismo. No bad thing. This is not an arcade mode where you have to unlock every car, there are races of various classes and you win prize money to buy other cars just like a real Gran Turismo.Although you only have the tip of the iceberg's amount of cars, there's still a good range. Most dealers have at least 2 models to choose from. Same goes for the tracks, there are 6. Fair enough, but i'm getting a little tired of racing the same ones all the time. Maybe we'll see a few more added as downloadable content in the future.Normaly i don't get hung up on graphics, but this is Gran Turismo.

13.10.2008

Grand Turismo 5 Prologue is a fantastic game, there is a large range of cars compared to most racing games (about 70 or so) and the best graphics i have ever seen in a racing game. The gameplay is also brilliant, car handling is hugely acurate, not the kind of game where you can constantly push everything to the max and still stick right in the middle of the track, but its certainly not gone too far, if makes you careful as you cruise around tracks, and makes sure you dont rush round ever corner sliding into walls. thers a real sence of acheivement when you finaly gain enough credits to get that new car too, and with the ferrari F2007 and the Citroen GT in there already thats a lot of saving to do.the game is constantly updated in order to bring you extra content,

11.9.2007

You have to give it, it's a good game. I've done GT2,3,4 and HD so it's safe to say I can pretty much guess where 5 is going. Few things in the series will seem unlikely to change, which I hate a lot, first up is that they really made it feel like the car is on rail, nothing dynamic. Second, if you are a fan of oversteering, you will know the drifting physics in this game is dreadful, you either running on rail and understeer, or oversteer with the feeling of on roller skates. Not to mention its dirt stages, which seems a bit like a joke, as they basically look and feel like tarmac roads with sand or snow on it. Although the steering wheel itself is a corner stone of the industry,

28.3.2008

Ive been playing this gem for about an hour, and its inspired me to do my first ever review of a game...graphics - 10ill be honest, i think this is the best looking game ive ever seen,its looks beautiful in 1080p the cars are lush looking and the surroundings are amazing, the gran turismo series has always been praised for its brilliant graphics and this time they havent let the side down.gameplay - 9they have it nailed this time, i for one thought the last installment on the ps2 was somewhat slow and unresponsive, this game takes me back to gran turismo 2. fast paced but containing the same realistic elements of the previous game.

12.4.2007

GT3, and GT4 obviously set the standard for racing/simulation games.In reality, NOBODY can credibly argue that anybody else has even come NEAR the physics engine in these games.Now that we have finally received our PS3, we are elegible to download a 'demo' version of GT5 - that happened last night.Now, having already said that GT3/4 had the best physics engine - one that I though I'd never see improved - the GT5 physics engine is even better.Not by a wide margin, to say that would stretch credibility (how could you improve on 85% perfection?), but lets say that my feeling is that it's now around 90% perfect - still, overwhelmingly the best in the business!The cars now 'sit down and squirm'

29.3.2008

This game looks sublime - definately the best thing I've seen on a PS3 thus far.However, it's only a "taster" - so what is does not have is any tuning or modifying the appearance of your vehicle - the only adjustments to handling are in the form of an adjustable traction control mechanism and the ASM stability control.I've since found that you CAN tune the cars, but only in S-series races which you unlock after completing C, B and A classes!There are some great viewing angles on replay the in-car looks fantastic (you can play in this view too, but the field of vision is reduced somewhat).I was REALLY glad to see the X retained as the accelerate (I just cannot get to grips with the R2 accelerator games such as Burnout Paradise and NFS Pro Street!).

27.6.2008

I've actually written a review about this game before, giving it three stars and a slew of criticisms. However, since that review, I've allowed my opinion to mature a little, and in a condensed format, this is what I've got;LOVE:Graphics,Simulation,The challenge set-up,Driving options (such as standard or professional)That you can go online and race REAL peopleSetttings and car set-up help is great. It really helps the beginners ease into the daunting world of tuning.Performance PointsINDIFFERENT:Online mode in general; it's a bit sluggish and there's a distinct lack of options and control.Car numbers, not too many unfortunately.Can seem a bit unexciting next to GRID and DIRT.Music is relaxing,

30.3.2008

Good Points1. Looks stunning in HD at 1080p2. Set car physics to professional and turn the driver assists down/off and it becomes a different game, one of the best car driving simulators out there3. New in car view looks and feels great4. Even though tracks and cars are limited, hours of game play in there for £205. Had the Prologue for GT4 so knew what to expect, just hope you get to transfer credits to the full game when it comes out as beforeBad Points1. No tyre management, car tuning, modifications or upgrades in GT5 Prologue and hope/expect this is not the case in the full version2. No real time crash damage and bouncy crash barriers3. No Spec B mode, so prepare to spend hours saving up for that F40!4.

5.4.2008

Once i was finally allowed to play the game (it has to be installed on your ps3 and then theres an update)and actually get to put myself behind the wheel of some rubbish car i was amazed at how awesome the graphics really are. There is no game on this planet that looks this good and it will probably be awhile until another does except GT5 of course. The detail is also incredible and the developers of Forza will be rightly in awe of how much rubbish a game can put in that makes probably no difference to a casual gamer.The gameplay is also amazing, the new cockpit view is the first ive found which doesn't impede your view and is probably the best view to use,

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (PS3) - Reviews

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