Cert: 3+
Platform: PS3
Genre: Driving Sim
It's been thirteen years since Gran Turismo debuted on Sony's premier console, thus redefining the racing genre forever. Gone were the arcade scalextric-like racers in favour of something only a new, revolutionary console could provide. It's not that what came before was bad; far from it. It was simply a case that we never knew of the automotive possibilities us gamers could achieve once we held that small grey controller in the palms of our hands. All those years ago, Polyphony's Gran Turismo introduced a depth of realism and immersion the likes of which had never even been contemplated, let alone attempted. And now, after a lengthy six-year wait, the fifth instalment in the seminal franchise debuts on Sony's third console.
For a series that has achieved so much acclaim over the years, arguably its most recognised accomplishment has been it's looks. For a game that looked stunning thirteen years ago, not surprisingly GT5 at times looks sublime. However, unlike its first run, and this is the greatest surprise of all, its never jaw-dropping. And this sense of anti-climax stretches into its races, which at times become endangered with monotony. Having to wait through long loading screens for a race that's over in three minutes can't help but frustrate.
But thankfully this is a GT game, so you'll ignore a career mode that sometimes feels like another race after race that rarely challenges and enjoy what is still an unparalleled driving sim. One literally feels the difference from how each of the near one thousand cars handle, and there's just as much enjoyment to be achieved from driving your first wreck of a buy to that priceless super car. And its online interactivity is possibly its most welcome attribute but at times is a little cumbersome to organise.
The likes of London, Rome and Madrid are all beautifully recreated, and overshadow many of the other seventy-plus tracks on offer, which hints that some locations received more attention over the last six years than others. And therein lies the problem: it all echoes a game where what it does right, it easily wins gold, but where everything else behind just seems to scrape silver.
Lets just hope its not another six years before GT takes to the track again.
Bur or Rent: Buy
Graphics: 4/5
Gamplay: 4/5
Replay Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Reviewed by: Simon Rubbathan