On GT5's cover, and every other GT I think, it says "The Real Driving Simulator."  It really is a game made for people who just really love cars, above just racing.  It's cornered the market forever, and now with Forza it seems it is focused more on the "game" part rather than the sim/racing/physics/realism part of it.  I think that makes sense given the biggest complaints with GT5 are often things like menus and online infrastructure, and one of the biggest graphics complaints, amazingly, is the trees. lol 

For instance, even the reviews that "bash" the game openly admit that it is the best car simulation in existence, at least for consoles.  The driving itself is spectacular, no one denies that.  I think the hype did most of the damage to be honest.  It had enough hype and expectation just by being a GT game, then Sony kept saying it would be perfection on a disc.  It clearly isn't without fault, but it seems like at least a few reviewers judged on hype somewhat.  Forza escapes this because not much has been expected in the past.  It used to be "Microsoft's attempt at copying all of Sony's games", a la Lips and such.  Now it's seen as more of a contender, so that might be mitigated from here on out.

Also, I don't see Forza 4 outselling GT6 based on this "failure" of a GT.  GT5 basically outsold Forza 3 in two weeks, and that is with excessive Forza bundling. 

As long as the gamers out there are satisfied (which contrary to some on the internetz, I'm sure most are), that's all that matters.

Can't the same be said of you?

I have played Forza 3... What makes you think I haven't? And about dropping the topic, it's really sad if you believe comparing two games in the same genre is a taboo.

Oh well, at least you don't speak about yourself in third person anymore...

@ everyone who claims the score's lower because of expectations: are you telling me the reviewers don't have an absolute scale? How about Halo 3? That game was hyped to death, yet it still received a 94. If what you say is true, then this system is redundant. The whole point of scores is to give a person a quick idea on how a certain game stacks up against a different game.

It's because Polyphony Digital focused more on Racing and Cars in there Racing game than menus, trees and how many parts fly off your car when you scrape past a Mini.

Because it's better, as it should be.

People expected way to much out of it.

Over the years the hype has gotten to the point that people were saying it's basically a PS4 game or it's exactly like real life, to much hype and expectations made for a lot of disappointed people.

That and I think a lot of the reviews were rushed, and oddly enough a lot of the review scores didn't make sense? Some reviews would be talking about how excellent the game is in whatever category and then all of sudden they give it a low rating?

Like I think it was what IGN said, GT5 is a 10/10 racer in a 5/10 game? huh?

Its flattering someone I have no idea is is keeping tabs on me.....definite ego booster there

Your wording in your op leads people to believe either you havent played FM3 at all.....or havent played it enough to even be writing the op.

The dropping the topic part wasnt because you were comparing the 2 said games......but because you havent played both games enough (or at all in FM3's case) to even be making a comparison.

And third person talk is coming soon......