So I am finally back from vacation and during that time I managed to really get stuck into one of the most anticipated releases of all time, Gran Turismo 5.
While I have already reviewed Gran Turismo 5 after spending hours and hours with it, the true magical qualities or issues with a game like this only arise after some serious extended play. I waited a really long time to play Gran Turismo 5, just like many other fans out there and maybe it’s just because of that reason that I felt the need to give more of my thoughts on my experiences with the game, the kind of thoughts that sometimes don’t make it into a review.
I wanted to focus more on the pure driving experience rather than other elements such as the campaign modes, menus, graphics and so on.
So here I go.
Gran Turismo 5 really is, without a doubt, the best, most visceral and most realistic driving experience that I have had to date. I have even spent some decent time on the simulators used to train the Team Forza (no relation to the Xbox game) Ferrari drivers on the Kyalami circuit and it’s honestly as good if not better as well as being wrapped around in a video game.
I, like some of you, have also attended an advanced high speed driving course that trained me in the art of lapping racing circuits in road cars and this sits as just about the best benchmark when comparing simulators like GT5 to the real experience.
When it comes to the core driving experience of: You in a car – rubber on the floor – going around a circuit — it’s truly about as good as it gets. Real petrolheads and motorsport enthusiasts get a serious kick out of that real feeling of making a car dance within its limits and getting it to hit the edge of its capabilities without falling off. This is also the reason that a lot of more casual gamers will always jump straight for the Ferraris and Lamborghinis, whereas a real enthusiast can truly enjoy the magic of Lancia Delta Integrale in third gear hitting a perfect line and the right clipping point through an opening sweep.
So then… is Gran Turismo 5 keeping up to its bold claim of being the “real driving simulator”? It sure is and there is nothing out there right now that can keep up with it (the rally still needs some serious work though).
So then, why the title? Why have I taken a stab at the racing side of things? Well, it’s simple. I took a stab at the racing in GT5, because it’s just downright terrible.
In all of my time spent with GT5, I can’t tell you how much of it has been filled with nothing but frustration, anger and disappointment thanks to a very shoddy racing system, some atrocious A.I and some very very stupid decisions from Polyphony Digital.
I was often given only two laps to overtake a dozen cars on a tight circuit when starting from the back of the grid. If any driver, in any motorsport, was capable of pulling off such a feat without causing massive accidents or getting his ass disqualified for cheating, he would be crowned the king of racing and would have little Michael Schumachers worship his feet all day long.
Why then, was I given this ridiculous task so many times over? When you take that many cars, on a race circuit and are asked to come out on top, you are not asking me to race, you are asking me to shove, cheat and wangle my way into the top spot. Racing is about patience, consistency and skill, not outbreaking 6 cars and slamming into another to slow down… that’s just stupid.
Add to this the fact that GT5 still lacks any sort of racing rules and regulations and it just gets worse. Having issues catching up? No problem, instead of breaking for that next big chicane, just aim for the other side of it and blast through. You can easily make up 5-6 seconds on a lap without any sort of penalty.
The source of most of my anger however, came from the mind-numbingly stupid artificial intelligence. Gran Turismo 5’s A.I could very well have been a huge secret ploy from Sony to sell more PS3 controllers, because I wanted to throw mine across the room on more than one occasion.
The issues really stood out when I was doing my license tests. Often, you will be asked to overtake as many cars as possible over the span of a lap or two in order to finish a test. In these tests you are disqualified if you leave the track at any point, or more importantly, have a decent enough collision with another vehicle.
At one point, I think I came scarily close to actually signing myself into an asylum, because GT5 had made me bat-shit-crazy. Trying to overtake cars over 2 laps became a nightmare when I was force to do the test over and over and over and over again due to issues with the AI.
I had A.I cars slam brakes in front of me for no reason, causing me to hit them and get disqualified as well as having A.I actually ram into me from behind through a corner and have the game disqualify me for the fender bender. I mean, are you kidding me? The list of stupid and annoying things I have seen come from A.I drivers is mind boggling. I also had to redo a Ferrari-specific race around Monza over and over again because – would you believe it – every time I got onto a straight, A.I near me would actually drive up alongside me and then push me off the track, or spin my rear-end out.
Overall, the actual racing experience in Gran Turismo 5 is laughable. It’s quite sad really when you realise that as a pure driving experience, the game is nearly perfection itself.
On one side, you could give me Gran Turismo 5 and I will keep myself happy all day doing hot laps around tracks, trying to drift a hunk of metal around a windy road or just plain messing around with those lovely machines.
On the other side, as an actual racing game, GT5 seems to fail miserably. There are barely any actual racing rules, you are often required to perform miracles that require terrible driving and lots of collisions and to make it all worse, the A.I don’t really seem to even know they are a part of the whole gig either.
Of all the things Gran Turismo 5 needs in an update, I say that Polyphony Digital need to work the hardest on taking this phenomenal driving experience, and giving us a proper arena in which to play with it. Gran Turismo 5 is a sublime driving experience that I just can’t get enough of, but whenever racing and A.I gets involved, it all just seems to turn to pot.
I’ve given my two cents, and I’d really like to hear the opinions of not only the other hardcore gear-heads, but the everyday gamers as well. What do you guys think so far, and how have your experiences been with Gran Turismo 5 now that you have had it for a while?
Hit us up with your comments below.
Last Updated: January 12, 2011
tramp
January 12, 2011 at 13:15
completely agree, the top gear test with the VW vans was a nightmare to complete, yet it should have been relatively simple and enjoyable. If its not being disqualified that ruins a good race its making one tiny mistake in the go-karts and having almost no chance of winning afterwards. One spin out and the whole pack pass you and you need to restart. Also, while im ranting, the game advertises vehicle damage and enhanced effects? the only damage iv seen was after a huge crash into the barrier the left side of my Buick seemed to droop and turn grey. hardly advanced effects. But il still spend all day playing it!
Phil Mckenzie
January 12, 2011 at 13:15
Could’nt agree more, having waited a considerable time after prologue for this game out, I have to say i was some what dissapointed, As you say the driving is incredible all i find my self doing is hot laps and genuinely drifting the cars as much as possible. I’ve had this conversation with a friend and we think its a great game overall but because of the wait it just wasnt ‘all that’ and everytime you play it theres a small sense of dissapointment, we then agreed that Gran turismo 4 on the ps2 was the best overall in the whole series.
Eet
January 12, 2011 at 14:28
Agree that GT4 is the best Overall experience, The AI only gets a bit “Smarter” or “Faster” (No dumb braking) in the races that has a high skill level requirement.
Eet
January 12, 2011 at 14:33
Forgot to mention, especially disappointed by the track rules yes, cutting over chicanes and stuff should be penalised as with any game, maybe I’ll give Kaz a tweet. Try my luck with him
OzRacer
January 12, 2011 at 14:35
I agree with everything said here except the AI. I must be the only person in the world that thinks it has improved greatly. But who has ever watched a real 2 lap motor race? It wouldn’t be worth starting your car. Real driving simulator yes, Real racing simulator definitely not. Great article.
Eet
January 12, 2011 at 14:54
The A.I. did improve, I agree. But like I said the lower skill level races they do really irritate me. And the race rules of course…
Untaken
January 12, 2011 at 14:49
Gt5 is the first racing game I’ve ever played, I picked it up last week along with a logitech g27 and gtxtreme racing simulator. I connected it up to our 3D tv and home theatre system, after finally getting around to trying it out today I must say it’s a truly immersive experience. The level of detail and surprising realism was well worth the outlay. I also found many of the challenges difficult and AI frustrating but I had just put that down to my lack of skill. I will ve looking forward to getting online to race some real opponents shortly.
uberutang
January 12, 2011 at 14:56
And yet Nick you have not been in any of the WEEKLY local racing events at all…
So maybe the SP racing is bad (would not know), but the MP racing side is alive, kicking and loads of fun.
SO maybe stop playing alone and join some real people?
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 15:07
I was away from home and didn’t have internet access and you already know that this article was all about single player so I am not sure why you feel the need to rag me about it.
I have not played as much MP as I would have liked, but tell me though, if someone cuts a corner badly in MP is there any sort of penalty at all?
uberutang
January 12, 2011 at 15:24
yeah dude. Time and damage penalties. maybe title should read: …for the single player game.
If you rated BF BC2 like this it would get a 5/10… but go online and it ups to 11/10 🙂
Disclaimer: Some HI (human intelligence) makes the AI look like Einstein.
I found that if you kept your car to the same specs/levels as the AI, then it is rather challenging, and with damage in later levels you need to be more careful.
I had a race last night where I had to over take 8 guys with 2 laps to go after pitting to get my gearbox repaired… seems familiar?
Sarelseemonster
January 12, 2011 at 15:02
Seriously. WTH don’t you guys play ONLINE!!! It’s 2011 already!
Bill
January 12, 2011 at 15:03
er… find some good friends and setup a race = bonus and if you and they are good at racing it makes for really great racing… racing v ai is for the birds.
Sarelseemonster
January 12, 2011 at 15:18
Nick… Because you can’t talk about the game (Gran Turismo 5 – Best Driving Game Ever. Worst Racing Game Ever) as a whole and neglect at least 50% of it.
Thats like rating Forza 3 without mentioning the auction house, leaderboards, replays, or the awesome community. Which would then be pretty damn boring.
The Ai in GT5 does leave a bit to be desired… actually they don’t really suck they are just easy to beat as you just get a better HP car no doubt and go race them – actually after level 30 it becomes pretty hectic. Now…go play the game again and choose one of the cars in line with what the AI races – same Hp and weight etc and see if they still as bad.
In short… most racing games shine when you race online and compete. Since the TOCA days on PC this has always been the case.
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 15:30
You are right, but I made it pretty clear in the article that I was talking about the single player campaign.
I have actually had AI cars in the exact same cars as me blasting down straights around 40km/h faster. I assumed it was because AI cars aren’t all standard and I really hope it was the case.
As I said though, I have reviewed the game in its entirety and this is not a review, rather pointing out what I really like and dislike about the game, so leaving out online means nothing when I am talking about the single player
Sarelseemonster
January 12, 2011 at 15:43
I think the article heading can do with a change then 😉
But I hear you.
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 15:47
The other thing to note here is that GT has always been about the single player, mostly because online multiplayer is a new addition for many gamers out there.
Most of us remember GT as hours and hours of single player goodness, and I am brining it back to that.
uberutang
January 12, 2011 at 15:55
Mmmm, You see for me GT was always about splitscreen play with my mates. Don’t think I have ever done the SP in any of them, other than the licences.
The old rubberband and toothpick trick got me all my Moola to get more cars for Splitscreen.
Nick, get a 300, 400 and 500 bhp , no less than 1000kg cars ready for next week tuesday and join us. 🙂
lans
January 14, 2011 at 21:24
Can i join your race league? when is it Uberutang!!!
Sean_israel
January 12, 2011 at 19:38
if u think the ai is bad in gt5 u r on crack try racing the ai’s with the same car without tuning and i bet you wud lose every race gt5 hands down the best racing game an idiot wud say concur. gt5 is about the passion of cars not some taky cop chase
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 15:51
All things said, I still believe that the online could be so much more with some decent race rules and setups.
Sarelseemonster
January 12, 2011 at 15:59
Decent race rules and setups?
It has more of this than Forza 3.
False start check? Check
Corner cutting penalties? Check
Different tyre setups? Check
Car tuning and setups while in lobby? Check
Tire wear and different compounds? check
petrol usage? Check
Pitstops – repair tire changes filling up with gas? Check
Damage models for various part of the car? Check
Chooe catchup on or off? Check.
Weight and power limits? Check
Still a lot i’m not mentioning but what more do you want!? 🙂
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 16:04
You are still trying to fight with me like I think GT5 is the worst game in the world.
I didn’t say the online was bad, or terrible… I said it could be so much more.
Friggin’ /sigh
Sarelseemonster
January 12, 2011 at 18:24
Who is fighting? I’m merely asking what more do you want? It’s one thing making a statement – What I want to see is the back up.
I usually enjoy the articles even if I don’t always agree with them. It’s an opinion of someone else, and I like seeing that, but with all due respect – imho this article is a bit poor as it doesn’t bring it across in the article but rather us debating it in the comments.
“There are barely any actual racing rules, you are often required to perform miracles that require terrible driving and lots of collisions and to make it all worse, the A.I don’t really seem to even know they are a part of the whole gig either.”? Seriously?
What Level are you in the game’s A-Spec?
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 20:50
It’s not an article, it’s an opinion piece. I think that’s where we are going wrong here. That would be why it would in this case be more about the comments and less about the post itself.
I also don’t like the fact that everyone keeps treating GT5 as if the entire game flips upside down once you get past level 30 or something. If someone has played the game for 20 or more hours and is still having elements of the game change around in without any clear indications, I don’t see that as a good design choice at all.
If the AI really does change very late in the game, why doesn’t it mention it clearly from the beginning? People were convinced that damage got more hardcore later on in levels when it was actually just people finally driving the race car class that had more damage.
Sarelseemonster
January 13, 2011 at 09:16
Then you guys can’t get upset about the other opinions.
Looking at the actual GT5 review and the NFS Hot Pursuit review, it is clear where value is actually placed in a “Racing game” at Lazygamer. I think car/racing enthusiasts place value on other things. They are less concerned with damage and bumping one another and more concerned about a passion for cars, handling, racing one another and interacting with the community.
Anyway looking forward to seeing the next article,piece,review,post, whatever.
Peace out.
ThorZA
January 14, 2011 at 20:07
I agree with Sarelseemonster, if you want arcade racing go play an arcade racer, but bitching about GT5 not being an arcade racer is just dumb.
Nova321
January 12, 2011 at 16:08
Rediculous review. You don’t need in a ny way to puch and shove in the two lap races. You just need to race cleanly. If you want to bounce of a car instead of slowing down then that’s up to you. Try putting heavy mechanical damage on and I assure you that you not be so keen. Very ignorant review given by a rookie racer.
Gavin Mannion
January 12, 2011 at 16:14
It’s not a review, the review can be found here http://www.lazygamer.co/gran-turismo-5-review-heres-to-the-dreamers/
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 16:19
This isn’t the review. THIS is the review – http://www.lazygamer.co/gran-turismo-5-review-heres-to-the-dreamers/
I sometimes forgot that reading is only optional. Very ignorant comment given by a rookie reader.
DieJason
January 12, 2011 at 16:32
Why are people so uptight about negative comments regarding GT5? 😛
I have a friend who almost bit my head off when I mentioned GT5 is averaging 85% in reviews.
sproesser
January 12, 2011 at 22:04
people take offense when you dis their game because they identify with the game they chose. The differences between forza and GT5 attract different personalities, and people tend to take offense as a result. yes, it’s silly.
Dawid22
January 12, 2011 at 17:18
You know, the sad thing about GT5 is that after all these years there is very little difference between GT1 and GT5, besides the obvious looking you in your face – pixels. Racers have just moved on so much further and it’s probably all thanks to CodeMasters. Also, am I the only one who noticed that Just Dance 2 is outselling Gran Turismo5? That should speak for itself right? Maybe they should change it to ‘Just Drive’ next time and release it on the Wii.
PeteP
January 12, 2011 at 17:43
Little difference between GT1 and GT5? Not so much. Online racing, go-karts, over 1,000 cars to choose from, 16 player MP, over 200 extremely detailed cars, photomode. Have you played the game? There is only so much you can do with a driving simulator. What would you do to improve it? Add motorcycles??
GMfan87
January 14, 2011 at 22:48
::cough:: 200 cars ::cough::
HarryH
January 12, 2011 at 17:34
Sadly I thought this article was very fair. I have to agree with Nick on almost everything he mentioned. This is one of the best games I have ever played on the PS3. The love affair started with GT4 on the PS2 for me so I haven’t been a fan of the franchise for as long as some of you I’m sure. The AI in GT5 is not nearly as “intelligent” as it should be and some of the races (in single player mode) are ridiculously tough to beat including the licensing tests and special events. I thought my wife was going to put me in a strait-jacket after multiple failed attempts at racing the notorious VW Bus challenge. And don’t get me started on B-Spec. Why include this in the game I have no idea. Who the hell wants to watch AI racing other AI is beyond me. The problem is that you’re pretty much forced to play B-Spec because you can win cars in B that are not available in A. I’m a car enthusiast, so winning and driving even the most ridiculous cars (such as the VW Kubelwagen typ82) is a thrill. I haven’t sold a single car yet. I want them all!!!!! Anyway, I love GT5 but it does come with some fairly significant issues. Then again I haven’t played a game yet that was perfect…well maybe that Pong thing my dad and I played back in the early 80’s. Hard to mess up two lines and a dot. My two cents. Cheers!!
Sravan Ravi
January 12, 2011 at 19:17
I don’t agree with the part where you say that you are required to reach 1st position in a short period of 2 laps. For me personally, the Nurburgring is a horror mainly because a single lap ( average driving ) takes about 8 minutes. Now imagine a 2 lap race in the Nurburgring, and imagine you messed up in the second lap with two minutes left to finish the race… wouldn’t that annoy you?
Polyphony Digital was in my opinion sensible enough to keep the game entertaining ( with its MOUNTAIN of content ) in part – by keeping the races short & sweet.
That’s what I feel.
Anonymous
January 12, 2011 at 19:27
No support for save game transfer is making it worst, as I only wanna race, not unlocking stuff.
M@GE
January 12, 2011 at 21:01
Fanboys galore!
lans
January 12, 2011 at 22:53
You don’t know what you talking about Nick, When you race you have to be aware of the situation at all times, if you racing slower than the pack you need to drive defensively, The AI is perfect i too was frustrated with the Nascar series at expert when they kept on bumping me off the road untill i learn’t to drive defensively and to choose your lines LIKE A RACE CAR Driver
The Online in GT5 is second to None! you can customise false starts and if someone gets lapped or gets involved in a collision they become transparent and cannot cause more collisions, you customize it how you see fit, just join shuffle races or create your own extensive regulations if you so picky
how lazy are you nick.
You want scripted AI that makes you feel like you’re good when you’re nothing but a chump
Racing is ballsy, people get shoved and pushed all the time if you drive as if your the best and expect the AI to just slow done then you have lost the plot!
Overtaking is difficult and rough its not some Guaranteed smooth technique!!!!
lans
January 12, 2011 at 22:56
Whats the point of Qualifying first nick and outdriving the competition?
Don’t you realize the most exciting part about racing is overtaking at ludicrous speeds!!!!!!
When Mika Hakkinen overtook 2 cars in one turn he was considered a LEGEND!!!!!!!
So what you think is stupid is VERY FUN FOR ME!!!!
Rez
January 13, 2011 at 09:46
When was the last time you saw a race where the person qualifying last went on to win the race.
If they wanted to make it realistic they should let you set a qualifying time and where ever you place you need to then race to then make it to the front and defend your position like a real race.
The AI should be good enough to give you a challenge from starting at any position. If you qualify first then you should have to constantly defend your position and there in would lie the challenge.
lans
January 12, 2011 at 23:02
When driving and someone is trying to overtake you CHOOSE A LINE AND STICK TO IT! if he is on the INSIDE OF YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE AS YOU WILL DEFINATELY SPIN OUT! Take the middle of the track and stay there if he hits and you going the same kind of speed NOTHING will HAPPEN!!!
LEARN HOW TO DRIVE NICK
I WISH I COULD SUE AND BAN YOU FROM PLAYING GT5!!!!!
THIS IS THE BEST GAME EVER
STOP TRYING TO PROFIT FROM IT!!!!!!!
Loki_ZA
January 13, 2011 at 01:50
Dude you should really lighten up… Its just a game 🙂 And BTW why are you up so late? Haven’t you got school in the morning?
lans
January 12, 2011 at 23:06
GT5 has PENALTIES IF YOU BUMP SOMEONE OR CUT A CHICANE YOU GET DELAYED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME OR YOU GET PERMANENT MECHANICAL DAMAGE!!!!
YOU JUST HAVE TO SPECIFY IT!!!!!!!
lans
January 12, 2011 at 23:13
The AI brakes alot because it feels sorry for your slow granny driving or else you’ll NEVER CATCH UP NICK !!! FFS!!!
lans
January 12, 2011 at 23:23
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ONLINE DO YOU WANT TERRIBLE MATCHMAKING WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES JUST TO GET INTO A GAME!!!
LIKE IN DIRT YOU CAN”T CHOOSE ALL THE TRACKS BUT A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT
OR
FORZA WHEN YOU HAVE 0 CHOICE AND THE HOPPER SYSTEM IS MUCH WORSE THAN GT YET YOU CRITIZISE GT ONLINE WHEN IT GETS REGULARLY UPDATED WITH NEW EVENTS TIME TRIALS, TWEAKS AND GIVES YOU FREEDOM TO DO WHAT YOU WANT INSTEAD OF WAITING FOREVER IN MATCHMAKING LOBBIES
some of us have Cellc and vodacom wireless internet and play that way, and matchmaking is not good for people like us ,as it puts us on lowest priority, so we have to wait an age in lobbies so Please stop selfishly suggesting stuff that you want
THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN
5.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD NOT SHIPPED IN 2 WEEKS!!!!
FORZA 3 LTD 4.5 MILLION
IM SO GLAD KAZ does not give a &^*(! about journalists anymore
Nick de Bruyne
January 12, 2011 at 23:52
Lans, my life would never be the same without you. Just letting you know.
M@GE
January 13, 2011 at 01:55
wow lans……just…….wow
Have you been drinking too much coffee? I know what caffeine can do to someone……..especially fanboys. Slow down on the coffee man. Not good for ya!
Jarrod Lane
January 13, 2011 at 09:29
Hey Lans I hope you read this only after doing your homework (I suggest putting some extra effort into that English though).
Did you actually read the entire article did you understand some of the larger words Nick used (I’m talking 4 letters and up here for you)…
You know what on second thought I’m not going to waist my time trying to explain something to you that Nick has already done in the article above.
On another note, Lans reminds me of that video of that kid that tried to shove a remote up his ass cause his folks cancelled his wow account.
GrIdL0cK
January 13, 2011 at 09:53
Great article Nick.
PCL
January 13, 2011 at 11:36
I agree and also disagree. The A.I is good but has it’s little imperfections. But then again it’s A.I designed by humans so it will never be perfect.
The difference is how you experience it. If you’re a general driver to a serious fast driver you’ll find it more irritating. But if you’re a hardcore driver you wont have to many issues.
I for one have had no problems with those short races starting from the back. You can win those without driving like a mad man bumping in to other cars. It teaches you to drive hard but smooth. Same goes for the A.I in the license test.
I’ve got gold on every single event so far accept up untill the last two 24hour races which I still need to do. This all with in the month of Nov/Dec.I’m not blowing my own ego. Point is you dont have to sit forever re-doing races getting angry. Depending on your skill or actually mental focus towards the driving objective you can find the right limit to achieve the desired result. You just need to work hard and concentrate to find that limit as it does not come easy but the reward is very satisfying.
Each event and race has been designed for a purpose to teach you something. I for one are glad some events are very difficult but not impossible as it forces you to really think about your driving, what you’re doing wrong and what you can do to go quicker.
You get the sense people have become used to winning easily and with in a short time frame.
Anyways, GT5 has so many options and combined with different driving skills of people will inevitably cause issues for some and none for others. Instead of pulling your hair out and making a huge issue of something just say you dont like it and raise your concern in a relaxed way so developers can take note.
If there is A.I. and racing that needs attention I would say PD must work on the B-Spec. I’m sure A-Spec will be refined with updates but so far my experience has not been nearly as bad as others are going on here.
To each his own……now go buy that G27 or RS500 wheel and learn to drive properly, haha! (Just joking)
Wayneglasbubbas
January 13, 2011 at 22:39
I respectfully disagree with a few things. The A.I braking in front and slamming into them. I didn’t have a problem with this at all. A corner is coming up or a car is in front of them so they brake. I expect them to brake earlier than I do for a corner so when I’m behind a car and a corner is coming up instead of staying behind them I go to the left or right of them anticipating they will brake and avoid any problems.
I didn’t have a problem with the licenses and having to win the race in 1 or 2 laps. If you race smart it’s not a problem. I do think the black Lamborghini in the IC-10 license was jacked up on cocaine and had a bee with an attitude up it’s exhaust pipe, but as frustrating at it was, I almost won so many times it kept me coming back for more until I finally won. It’s not suppose to be easy. If it was, I’d be bored with it.
Being disqualified for bumping a car too hard or for going off the road made me a better driver. I wondered why sometimes I would get disqualified for going a bit off the road and other times I wouldn’t. I’m assuming if two wheels stay on the pavement you won’t get disqualified, if more than two wheels are off the road you’re disqualified. Putting that into the game will make you a better driver. Real race car drivers aren’t going off the road all the time. I noticed if I just rammed into a car without trying to avoid it I would get disqualified. If I bumped into a car while braking and trying to avoid it, the game would give me the benefit of the doubt sometimes and not disqualify me. I think maybe the speed at which you go into the car may have something to do with disqualification or not which seems reasonable to me. The game taught me it doesn’t want me just ramming into a car when I come up to a corner. It wants me to strategize, pace myself, use a different tactic than just ramming a car.
I read some bad reviews about GT5 and didn’t want it. I was hoping the reviews would be really good but I was disappointed. I played GT4 a lot and wanted GT5. I didn’t ask for the game for Christmas but got it anyway. So I put the game in expecting frustration and disappointment. The more I played the game the more I was enjoying it. I guess to each their own.
If anything, GT5 taught me it’s about racing smart, anticipating, attacking at the right times, backing off at the right times. Because GT4 had no consequences, I wasn’t as good of a driver on GT4 as I am now on GT5. I do have complaints about the game itself but they aren’t related to the actual driving on the road.
I think the less patience one has, the more frustrating GT5 will be. If you’re not willing to take the time, learn how to properly race without bumping into cars and being sloppy by going off the road, you’re not going to like it. I like GT5 and Motorstorm Pacific Rift equally for completely different reasons. You have to have a lot more patience and tact with a sim.
Mike
January 14, 2011 at 19:35
“is Gran Turismo 5 keeping up to its bold claim of being the “real driving simulator”? It sure is and there is nothing out there right now that can keep up with it”
Nothing that can keep up??? what a joke! YES GT5 is nice and looks pretty, but pales in comparison to PC sims like iRacing and RFactor.
Maybe nothing can keep up with it in the console gaming world, but it is far from perfect. the physics and tire models need work and the force feedback is a joke!
I couldn’t agree more though with the lack of rules in the racing department. why on earth does the game allow you to boost a cars performance by 100 or 200 horsepower and blow away the competition. “Real Driving Sim”??? why can you put an ECU Tune on a 1960s car with no ECU, Stupid!
At least the seasonal events have HP limits, but why couldn’t they follow the same guidelines in the rest of the game?
Anonymous
January 14, 2011 at 21:51
Some of the readers here and the GT ai are a match make in heaven. You’re both programmed/born dumb and don’t know it. You twist the authors words and then counter-argue that, nice going genius.
To rate the online community as part of the game is just as dumb. If for some reason, the community tanks it in 2 years, would it the game still be rated 11/10? The only way you can rate a game on that end, is how the design/implementation allows you to access that community, and how robust it is for the future.
You can sing all the happy clappy songs you want and pretend everything’s good, this game still has too many flaws for a 5 year development (probably longer since a lot of things were recycled).
Traviswood
January 17, 2011 at 17:40
“Of all the things Gran Turismo 5 needs in an update, I say that Polyphony Digital need to work the hardest on taking this phenomenal driving experience, and giving us a proper arena in which to play with it.”
They did give us a proper arena. Find some friends and PLAY ONLINE!!!
The improtant thing to do is play this game like you want to and have fun. If you dont like the a-spec dont do them. Just play online and seasonal events.
If you dont like people cutting corners go ONLINE and make a room with penalties and DAMAGE!
Just have fun and quit bitch’n about the flaws. The core gameplay is Amazing.
And GET A Logitech wheel. the g 25 /27 or gtdf
racing games
January 15, 2011 at 16:52
It really ticks me after Ristar on the side lines to see. I was soo excited to play as him and I have nothing. At least the game is good.
lans
January 16, 2011 at 20:37
Just Did 10 laps in Nurburgring in the wet with my corvette z1 race car conversion online and won!……………………..FUUUUUUUUUUU%%%%%%%^^^^IIINNNNG AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
lans
January 16, 2011 at 20:37
it was at night too!!! ;P
Rayn
January 22, 2011 at 05:08
this is what happens when a person with insufficient information and experience in GT5 goes online to write a review/opinion. At the beginning of the article, I though you knew what you were talking about. You sounded like a veteran GT player. But after reading the rest of it it’s obvious you chose the wrong game to talk about. You’re just lucky you didn’t try this on a GT forum.. people there would not have been so nice about you bashing parts of the game because of your own ignorance.
I hope in the future you’ll stick to talking about things you have some knowledge about.
hakman stockport
May 6, 2013 at 09:07
i agree with what most gamers think? the other problem is cars to expensive for the ones you realy want most money is not enough to get the great cars when starting out you not have enough money to buy a decent car licences are a pain in ass to get gold impossable on all licences the f1 one cars are to expensive they should start cheaper for the gamer gta 4 in my opinion was the best this i low in my expectations
hakman stockport
May 6, 2013 at 09:07
i agree with what most gamers think? the other problem is cars to expensive for the ones you realy want most money is not enough to get the great cars when starting out you not have enough money to buy a decent car licences are a pain in ass to get gold impossable on all licences the f1 one cars are to expensive they should start cheaper for the gamer gta 4 in my opinion was the best this i low in my expectations
hakman stockport
May 6, 2013 at 09:07
i agree with what most gamers think? the other problem is cars to expensive for the ones you realy want most money is not enough to get the great cars when starting out you not have enough money to buy a decent car licences are a pain in ass to get gold impossable on all licences the f1 one cars are to expensive they should start cheaper for the gamer gta 4 in my opinion was the best this i low in my expectations
similar
December 11, 2013 at 10:56
It seems it’s always been a GT thing. Great graphics engine, fantastic physics, no AI. There has never been AI in GT
John Doe
April 4, 2014 at 03:52
Totally agree. The AI is the dumbest thing ever and is sometimes downright impossible to beat or beaten in the first 10 seconds of the race.
no name
August 10, 2014 at 13:01
The game totally needs rules, regulations, damage, damage that causes failure, and flipping. I’ve “used” so many cars in the corners it’s sick, no penalty and no real damage.
sophie
April 9, 2015 at 17:36
wtf