For years, fans of racing sims have had a particularly strange conundrum. Their entire world has essentially been boiled down into two titles, the "Gran Turismo" series and the "Forza Mortorsport" line, but one of those (the former) has been so exceptional that nobody really minds. The best racing sim series out there returns with "Gran Turismo 5," the title's first entry in six years after a parade of near-disasters as well as its first PS3 exclusive and the first to feature a number of new licenses (including NASCAR, a clear nod to American racing enthusiasts for what is otherwise a very Euro-centric game). But is "Gran Turismo 5" merely a "Madden"-esque roster upgrade (more cars and more tracks) or does it reinvent the wheel?
The Basics
"Gran Turismo 5" is all about numbers. After six years, they've delivered over 1,000 cars, 26 locations and 71 tracks (not including the endless possibilities for customization for both cars and tracks). The premise is simple (just go faster than your opponents), but the path to get to top speed is full of careful planning and sharp driving.
The Highs
More Cars Than Jay Leno
You know how fighting games can seem a little bit tedious once you've taken each of the warriors for a test drive and found you don't really like any of them? That sort of scenario is an absolute impossibility in "Gran Turismo 5." Sure, it's a bit of a marketing ploy, but let's face it: the game features over 1,000 cars. That's four digits. And we're not talking about a single Ferrari in two hundred different color shades — these are unique vehicles. If you can dream up a vehicle, it probably already exists in "Gran Turismo 5." I played for eight solid hours and only managed to get behind the wheel of a fraction of the rides in the game. I wouldn't be shocked if the Homer was in there somewhere. Seriously, it's a lot of cars.
Karting Is My Business (And Business Is Good)
"Gran Turismo 5" doesn't offer very much for beginners (more on that below), but the new kart racing option is both an easier entry point and exceptionally fun. It's not quite "Super Mario Kart" (nobody is throwing around turtle shells), but it has that level of playfulness. It's especially thrilling online, where up to 32 karts can compete on one track (compared to only 16 for standard cars).
The Physics Of Physics
"Gran Turismo" has always had excellent physics, but "Gran Turismo 5" really steps it up.The new damage system is the most realistic I've ever seen, as every minor nick, scratch and even bit of dirt will show up on your vehicle. The car will also degrade internally, as you can feel the brakes weakening and the tires shifting as you race. It's a staggering level of realism that is sometimes disarming, but for hardcore gearheads it's a dream come true.
The Lows
The Learning Curve
By now, it should be taken as a given that the "Gran Turismo" series doesn't care whether or not you are used to the controls (which, while sharp, can take a lot of practice to get properly comfortable). There's no real way to ease into the single player mode — you just have to dive headlong into the racing world with your entry-level Nissan and hope that you don't roll it too badly. Progress is steady but slow, and certain tracks — in fact, certain portions of tracks — will frustrate newbies to no end. It's hard to tell exactly what it takes for the comfort level to click, but it requires more patience than with most every other game in your collection (except maybe "Gran Turismo 4").
The Verdict
"Gran Turismo 5" is not for everybody. Despite the flashiness of this iteration, it's still a driving sim at heart, with all the requisite hang-ups that come along with the genre (anybody raised on arcade racers like the "Burnout" series or the re-jiggered "Need For Speed" line will likely be confused and frustrated by the painfully realistic physics). But if you're a veteran of the genre or have the patience to dive deep into virtual driving, then "Gran Turismo 5" is your "Citizen Kane." It's the racing sim by which all other racing sims will be judged, and they will perpetually pale in comparison. Almost overwhelming in its depth, "Gran Turismo 5" should keep players experimenting, building, challenging and reinventing their experience until we finally get those flying cars promised to us in "Back to the Future Part 2."
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