Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3) Review

N-Galaxy

Rated O

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3) By: Adam Waddilove

Is this just a teaser of what's to come or is it a car crash?

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue showcases the automotive experience that is imminent with Gran Turismo 5. Featuring 71 meticulously detailed cars - including vehicles by Ferrari, Audi and Nissan - for users to race on six beautifully rendered reversible tracks from around the globe, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue runs in stunning 1080p High Definition. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will also introduce to the franchise an in-cockpit view, providing a unique perspective for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue players and featuring real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle. Additionally, in conjunction with a robust offline experience, for the first time in the history of the Gran Turismo franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support up to 16 players racing head-to-head online, complete with community events and leaderboards, to quell any question of who is the best driver in the "World of GT."

Dedicated to expanding the player's immersion in automotive culture, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature access to Gran Turismo TV, a dedicated online channel available exclusively from PlayStation Network. In effect, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers some of the greatest motorsport and manufacturer content that television has to offer.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Features:

Play Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Online!: A first for the franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports online racing with up to 16 drivers racing simultaneously on a beautifully rendered race track.

Race 71 high-performance and exhaustively detailed cars: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue includes vehicles from Ferrari, Audi, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Race on six stunningly realistic tracks: the Eiger Nordwand, the Daytona International Speedway, the London City Track , the Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - and then race them in alternative layouts.

A new physics engine for a Gran Turismo game: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers next-generation vehicle handling. True to the heritage of the Gran Turismo franshise, the physics engine in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue provides unprecedented realism and authentic handling specific to each car.

A new in-cockpit view: Provides a unique perspective for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue players and features a customised dashboard for each of the cars in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Real-time gauges and human animations accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle.

All-new and improved opponent AI: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers a nail-biting and more strategic racing experience.

Access to Gran Turismo TV: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue presents a clearinghouse of great motoring TV (video), programming (both HD and SD – all broadcast quality) online through PlayStation Network.

Extend the real driving simulator: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DualShock 3 controller, which has vibration functionality.

Quick Tune facility: Allows Gran Turismo 5 Prologue players to adjust power, tires, suspension and more!

Stunning near-photorealistic next-gen visuals: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue runs in stunning High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps).

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Additional Features for Europe:

Drift Mode – The player’s drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course.

In Depth Car Tuning – Players have the ability to adjust the vehicle’s performance, including power, tyres, suspension and the ability for quick tuning whilst racing.

Two-player Split Screen Racing – Allows players to race head-to-head offline.

New Race Events – Online racing fans can join in on a new set of scheduled events and time trials.

Gran Turismo 4 had a Prologue title released a year before it was released, Gran Turismo seems to be doing the same with GT 5 Prologue. It’s not rocket science to work out that this is just a taste of what’s coming and if this is any indication, PS3 owners may finally have something to boast about. Now, I’ll make no lie of it that I’ve never been the greatest Gran Turismo fan. I always found the controls to be incredibly strict for turning in previous versions, making me somewhat annoyed and frustrated. That little snag that I had previously encountered seems to have passed; the controls in Prologue are top notch, so much so that even a kid could drive these cars with ease.

The game has taken a huge graphical upgrade since I last played Concept, it looks absolutely amazing. Everything from the stellar car models to the tracks and its surroundings, it all looks great and runs incredibly smoothly at 60fps. Also, another thing about the controls..you can choose to either use the analogue stick or d-pad at will, without changing any options. I have to say, I do prefer the d-pad control but purists may argue with that. Anyway, enough about that.

The game has the usual modes and plenty of new ones that will keep fans busy, although like I said it’s more of a teaser than a full GT instalment. However, it’s a very good void-filler nonetheless and should take you a considerably long time to get through all the events, buy all the cars and race your friends online. There’s no word as of yet if there will be any Home support for Prologue, it would be nice to store your race trophies in your bachelor pad, but that’s all theory talk at this point.

Purists of the series may be somewhat angry that the game has become more accessible to newcomers with its controls, since I can imagine they spent a long time learning how to manoeuvre each vehicle to win races and then a newbie comes along and picks it up in no time. I’m uncertain if that’s the case, but I’m just using my own example of how I struggled with past GT games and found this one much easier to control as a way of why loyal fans may be upset. Of course, I completely got my ass handed to me online since they clearly know what they are doing and I’m just getting to grips with it, so I guess its swings and roundabouts.

The music in the game is what we expect from a Gran Turismo title, which has always been great over the years. I even found appreciation for that in past titles, even if I couldn’t get the hand of playing the damn games. Did I already mention the game looks amazing? Oh yes, I believe I did.

The Verdict

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a taste of what to expect in the real GT 5 but it does a great job in delivering it. It may be somewhat limited when compared with past titles, but never has Gran Turismo looked or played so good. If this is any indication of what’s to come, then GT5 will simply be amazing. Forget the imitators like PGR and Forza, this is the real deal.