Good article that expresses exactly my feeling about the reviews I read on the Internet.
Gran Turismo 5- Since When do Graphics Make the Game?
By: Anthony Accinelli
I'm disappointed. Not with Gran Turismo 5 mind you, but with gamers across the board. Nearly every article I have read is either a graphics comparison, an opinion piece on how terrible non-premium cars look, or a combination of the two. Apparently the way the game looks is far more important than the way it plays. On second thought, I'm not disappointed. I'm pissed.
Everyone needs to stop with the graphics comparisons and focus on what matters: how it plays. I personally drive a 2010 Subaru WRX. When I could afford it in game I purchased it and was blown away at the similarities. The way it sounded, the exterior and interior details, the horsepower upgrades and how exact they would be, the body roll, acceleration feel (especially in cockpit view), and the overall sense of speed you feel when driving. Sure, the shadow on the ground can be a tad pixelated, but guess what? I don't fucking care. The car drives as close to the real life version as one could ever hope.
Thing is, it doesn't stop there. Even the standard cars run like their real life counterparts. Regardless of what you may have read, they are still full of detail. The 1996 240 sx moves the exact way it should. The first car we purchased, a 2002 Celica sounded and performed precisely as I remember (girlfriend in high school drove one). The tracks are incredibly smooth. Framerate never skips, even while driving through tunnels and watching the lights stream above your car at 167 mph. Corners are banked perfectly, giving advantage to a veteran driver who knows the line and keeps all four tires firmly planted. Drafting the car in front of you creates a noticeable slipstream that when used properly will take a massive chunk out of your time.
The name of the game isn't "Gran Turismo 5: The Most Photo Realistic Racing Game". It's time for reviewers to stop focusing on graphics and start focusing on gameplay. Tuning, the feel of the car, track design, and AI. This isn't an Arcade Racer and I strongly feel gamers have forgotten this. The moment I purchased the fully customizable transmission, modified the gear ratios, and destroyed my competition by more than 14 seconds is the moment I knew this game was for real racing enthusiasts.
This game feels real, and it needs to be reviewed differently. If a reviewer wants to write his opinion, they need to know about both cars and racing. Gran Turismo 5 isn't a racing game for mamby pamby gamers, looking to get their speed fix by taking hairpin corners at 1,000 mph. If you want that, go play and review Need for Speed. Personally, I have driven easily half the cars listed in this game. I'm an insane car enthusiast, growing up in a family that both course races and drag races nationally. Look for my review by the weekend, and I promise graphics won't be the majority piece.
http://www.strengthgamer.com/Graphics_Make_GT5.html
