Gran Turismo
Reviewed By America Online
Rating: 100%
Maker: Sony
Genre: Racing
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
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Wow! After watching the replay of my last race in Gran Turismo, it was almost hard to tell if I was watching a video game or a real race on TV. With a graphical engine that produces life-like visuals, a gameplay engine that features realistic physics and car handling attributes, and depth and authenticity unparalleled in racing video games, Gran Turismo is simply the finest racing game to ever grace the PSX. After playing this game for hours on end, I almost wish I could give Gran Turismo more than a 100%, or at least maybe I should go back an lop five or ten percent off of the ratings of all other racing games - it's that much better.
The first thing I noticed about Gran Turismo was that it came in a double CD case. Two CDs for a racing game? I was amazed. But upon opening the cover, I found that it was a one-CD game - they had to make the case bigger to fit in two instruction books. Notice I didn't say "booklets" - these weren't flimsy little instructions with 1-900 hints numbers to call for the real poop. Nope - these were filled with details, a rarity in manuals these days. Gran Turismo not only included a hefty instruction manual, but a very detailed reference manual as well.
For a regular racing game, all of that documentation isn't necessary. So why all the fuss for Gran Turismo? Like I said earlier - depth and authenticity. Gran Turismo features over 150 real-life cars. You can race everything from an Aston Martin to a Corvette to an Acura NSX to even a Honda Civic. And they are all based on their real-life counterparts, from handling to performance to even their engine sounds. When playing the game, you can really tell how each car handles differently and has its own unique feel.
Players can choose between Arcade and Simulation options. These are just what you'd expect. Arcade mode lets you jump right in and start racing. Arcade races take place against six computer-controlled opponents (and these guys are tough to beat). Arcade mode is simple and fun, and includes a two-player mode as well. But Simulation mode is where Gran Turismo's depth and authenticity and details really shine through.
In Simulation mode, you begin with $10,000. Not only do you need to buy a car, but you need to get a driver's license as well. There are three levels of license to obtain, and some races require certain licenses to qualify. You might be able to get in the early races with a "B" license, but you'll need an "A" license for the more advanced races, and so on. And let's just say that getting licenses isn't easy - you actually have to develop real skills to get the higher ones. Once you've obtained a license, it's time to spend that $10,000 on a car..
Buying your first car is a big decision. Vehicles from Honda, Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, Dodge, Mazda and others are available. You'll probably have to buy a used car at first, and once you start winning money in races, you'll be able to upgrade it or buy a new one. The higher you finish in a race, the more money you win. You also get points based on your finish. If you finish a circuit with the most points, you get a special cash bonus as well.
With your winnings you can add turbo, better tires, better suspensions, better air filters, and on and on and on. There are over 200 different parts with which you can upgrade your cars. And more importantly, when you add a part to your car, you can tell a real difference in the way it handles in a race. I added a turbo charger to my first car, bumping its horsepower up by about 30. In the next race, I could tell that I accelerated much faster than I had previously. And improving your car is important not only for winning money, but the more races you win, the more hidden tracks and cars you unlock as well.
Once a race is finished, Gran Turismo becomes truly remarkable, as you can watch a replay of your entire race. I found these to be particularly exciting. The camera angles were extraordinary - they switched fluidly back and forth between seemingly every angle you've ever seen in a televised race. You could switch the focus back and forth between any car in the field as well. The cars themselves were spectacular. For example, when spinning out, you could tell that the rear tires were spinning at a different speed than the front ones. When accidentally cutting across grass, you could see the car actually bumping up and down on its shocks. And speaking of bumping up and down, with both analog and dual shock controller support, you actually do feel the bumps. When the cars go around turns, you can see them sway back and forth on their suspensions. It was truly like watching a race on TV. And the gameplay felt as real as it looked - a truly outstanding gaming experience.
As racing games go, nothing comes close to Gran Turismo. From spectacular graphics, to gameplay that rocks the house, to depth and authenticity and overall fun that will have you playing every day, this is one of the best games to come along in a long time. After Blasto and Hot Shots Golf, it's nice to see Sony come roaring back with Gran Turismo, a game literally bursting at the seams with quality. Gran Turismo gets the highest recommendation of any PSX racing game, and has set the standard by which all future racing games will be judged.
