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Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: April 17, 2008
System: PS3
ESRB Rating: E
Official Web site
0:00 The last
Gran Turismo game I owned was No. 2 on the original PlayStation. The ones since then have seemed to me to be the same essential game with more cars and nicer graphics. That's all I really expect from this "prologue" to the full
GT5, except maybe for the more cars part.
0:05 While I didn't include the six-plus hours it took to download this nearly two-gig game in my clock, I am including the roughly five minutes it takes to install the demo, simply because the idea of installing console games annoys me to no end.
0:06 With the install done, I find I need to sign in to the PlayStation Network to start the game, but to sign in to PSN, I need a system update. GRAH! You're still on the clock, Sony.
0:27 FINALLY finished downloading the update. I doubt having half my time taken up by updating will really impact the review -- you've raced one GT race, you've raced 'em all. Man, I'm a jerk.
0:28 The system update wasn't even for the game, it was for the PSN Store! That's right: Sony wouldn't let me play my game until I spent 20 minutes downloading an update for its online store. I'm fuming over here.
0:31 I finally start the actual game only to be greeted by, you guessed it: another update! This one is actually for the game itself. I couldn't make this stuff up.
0:44 An error occurred during the update download, but I'm still able to get to the title screen. I guess that update was optional? Now I feel bad for wasting everyone's time. Anyone mind if I reset the clock to 0:32? No? Great!
0:32 So instead of the usual car porn intro that accompanies these types of games, I get an architecture porn intro featuring beautiful shots of some place called Arnstadt. Makes me wish I had an HDTV. The buildings are just stunning.
0:34 Off to the dealership to buy my first car. Thirty-one different dealerships! This might take a while.
0:35 I don't have enough credits for any of the concept cars, which is shame. I love concept cars. Or, at least, I love the concept of concept cars.
0:36 My 35,000 credits aren't even enough to buy the cheapest Nissan available. Sheesh. I'd take a plain old Sentra like the one sitting in my real-life driveway. That can't cost more than 35,000 credits, can it?
0:37 Finally, something I can afford: a Ford Focus ST in Electric Orange. It drives up into my garage with a "whoosh." I'm struck by just how shiny it is.
0:38 Starting off with the "Class C" racing events and the "Sunday Cup" series. The first race is on the High Speed Ring. Yes, that's the same High Speed Ring that was in the first two games. Sigh.
0:40 The graphics are absolutely stunning. I'm especially impressed with the lighting. When I come out of a short tunnel, the light in almost blinding for a second. Nice touch.
0:42 Despite a few spinouts, I easily finish first, mainly because it seems my car is much more powerful than the competition's. I like the on-track racing lines that show you the optimal path through turns. It even goes so far as to tell you by how much you should reduce your speed, which is great for a non-expert like me. I get 5,000 credits for my four minutes of work.