A Retrospective Look at Gran Turismo
GTPlanet Twitter follower jef722 sent me a link to a recent article posted by EDGE Online, and I found its perspective and approach incredibly refreshing. EDGE argues that Yamauchi’s creation is much more than just a racing game – it’s a classic Japanese RPG, played out in hundreds or even thousands of races:
While you can extrapolate Gran Turismo’s unusual design forward into the beginnings of customizable, sandbox gaming, you can also trace it back to a much more traditional source. It so drastically expanded the scale and lifespan of the racing game by following a path parallel to that of Japan’s dominant game form, the RPG epic. The arc is the same: from humble beginnings, you incrementally acquire greater power, in order to best new opponents, in order to earn more currency and in order to acquire greater power still. Buying parts and tuning settings to develop car performance is a close analogue of leveling RPG characters, increasing and tweaking their stats by buying them new abilities and equipment. The experience of playing the game is characterized as much by acres of menu downtime, browsing, comparing, fiddling and planning, as by the action itself.
This formula seems commonplace now, but it changed everything back in 1998. These other games, however, fail to emulate the seemingly endless choice of vehicular options in GT, and its open structure gives you no choice but to write your own story. Of course, if you want to write that story, it’s going to take hard work, something which EDGE touched on quite eloquently:
You have to step out of Arcade mode and start on the long road of a Gran Turismo career to get past the immaculate sensory sheen and unearth GT’s radical agenda for racing games. In doing so you step straight into the first round of the infamous license tests, the austere lessons in driving technique that provide access to the various championships and racing events. They’re almost perversely unexciting; the first thing the game asks you to do is drive a small hatchback in a straight line and then stop it. It’s a long way from the seductive rush of the arcade, or even the steep demands of a motorsport simulation. The tests’ purpose is to train, yes, but also, by their very dullness, to imply the deadly seriousness of what’s to follow. This isn’t kids’ stuff, and you can’t just walk into it; Gran Turismo is a privilege that must be earned with graft. Many are put off by them, and it’s almost as if they were meant to be.
Indeed, if you’re a patient, hard worker, you’re going to find the Gran Turismo experience incredibly rewarding. If you’re just looking for a quick thrill, you’re going to have a more difficult time appreciating what GT really is. Thankfully, for those of us who enjoy the challenge, Yamauchi has kept each major release true to the original, and let’s hope that doesn’t change with GT5. As we look forward to it, we should not forget to appreciate his artistic foresight which has provided us so many great memories over the last decade. Check out the full article right here for more!
You should follow GTPlanet on Facebook, and on Twitter @GTPlanetNews. You can also get GTPlanet's news by full-text RSS feed, or delivered via email, straight to your inbox every day.
Newest comments are displayed first.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm - #Mickle Pickle
@ maxpontiac:
You said: “…to take a stock automobile and turn it into a LeMans racing machine…”But that’s NOT realistic… that’s not how it’s properly done in real life…
That’s too much fantasy… the type of fantasy only reserved to NFS and FM (where you swap engines and even transmission drive type).I can see how that would be fun… but not the type of GT philosophy…
Kaz does not want any digression from the beauty of an original / stock looking setup/configuration. No Chaos in GT. Simply the purity of things.Again, it’s all profound and based on each country’s philosophy.
NFS/FM (American Cowboy) vs. GT (Japan Samurai) … accept it.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm - #maxpontiac
I believe NFS Shift has a RPG type of leveling system for the cars. You start out with a stock car, and can build it all the way to a Works conversion.
Problem is, it’s way to easy. Gran Turismo has the slow grind down, but have never been able to take a stock automobile and turn it into a LeMans racing machine.
Perhaps GT5 will have something that combines the two.
When 2010 is here next month, my impatience for GT5 will begin to surface. I want the game bad, and I have been ever so willing to show patience in the matter.
As S3 Racer stated, we all want GT5 now.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm - #Mustangmiha
GT as an RPG. More PGR to me.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm - #Mwpuga
I know the rod dan was referring too…. Forza Motorsport 2 started in this direction of r.p.g and so he was saying that Kaz and his team has not put enough love in this area of the game like his crew.. I believe turn 10 is on too something but they have a way to go before they can be considered on the level of Kaz and his team at polyphony digital. Forza has the same passion and love for cars just as much as PD. But still gran turismo is way better than forza motorsport.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm - #Mickle Pickle
@ Femki:
i had the same impression… … or is it due to the fact that i only have owned the even numbered GT?! I have never tried the odd # GT… i wish i could have.
But as far as i am concerned… i consider GT5 to be an even # GT caliber… and hopefully the GT6 stays as an “even #” caliber as well.@ Black Chamber:
it would be cool to have “Rain” featured somewhere in the game, but only in GT6… i would not want another single delay for GT5. ;)@ S3 Racer:
FM series have always been attempting to give competition to the GT series…. everyone knows that… but IMO, FM has not yet reached the same level as GT, despite all the original and cool features FM supports and offers, it’s just missing that extra EDGE! (lol)
FM might be a really good games, (i wish i had the opportunity to try out… )
and i think if i have started with FM instead of GT, i would have defended FM…With the release of FM3, i was really close to give in and buy the “360″ just for FM3.
But a couple of reasons stopped me, 1) The mix-reviews from players 2) my lack of playtime between now and GT5 release and the cost of it being not justified by any real good reviews, and 3) this might sound corny to you, but i just despise Dan G.’s attitude (although i understand he was probably just trying to sell his baby) but it was utterly unnecessary… LET YOUR WORK and Game speak for themselves… Your mouth has cost you your efforts.Turn10 did their Best with Fm3, i can only wish that Turn10 work much harder… they have the potential… Sad that their deadline has forced them to release what seems to be a half baked product, i just dont want to get sick, so i will just avoid it. So for now I will be patiently waiting for GT5.
I think for most people, it would be great if GT and FM becomes a collaboration: we would get the best of both worlds, because i have to admit that each game is missing things that the other game has and vice versa…. But still overall GT is the current winner for the next couple of years.
As far as RPG, i can see why GT can be seen as one, and why some of us could not agree to that… both point of view are legitimate… whatever it is… GT is awesome and so far its recipe has not been replicated… (GT is a bit boring at times …. just like RPG games)
The most rewarding satisfaction you get from GT is to be able to push your own limits and see a real improvement in your driving skills. GT offers a platform on which its software physics allow for a competition with your worst enemy: yourself! (…as opposed to FM that babies you and give you lots of FUN!! …so long as you like having training wheels)
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 am - #wiseguy
I think this article will help my RPG friends understand my obsession.
good read
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am - #atom_ae86
I was lucky to play gt1 back in 1997 on my uncle’s imported ps1, it started my love for the GT serise, so much so i got my dad to buy the console and jap copy of GT1.
Good times
GT the best rpg/racer ever -
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 am - #SecretAgentZero
@ 8@No$ :
I feel the same way about the series, except for the part of secretly playing until 6 AM, which I never did.
Anyway, regarding the article itself, I never thought of the GT games as an RPG of sorts, but I see that differently now.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:21 am - #MarcoM
good read
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 am - #8@No$
Gran Turismo is probably the best game I have ever played (Everyone of them). I remember the 11 year old me going to bed, waiting till everyone was asleep and then rising up secretely, turning on the TV and played GT till 06:00 in the morning.. Glorius days.. I was moved by these screenshots.. GT forever !!
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 am - #S3 Racer
@Mickey:
Agree on forza. It reminds me when a kid thinks it got a better understanding of the world than a adult. Gt is unbeattable for the moment. only opponant i see is sim racers on pc but only if they would have better graphics, more cars and tracks (looking forward to Rfactor 2).Now for the rpg
I think i will not make friends now:
I don’t agree totally. Yes it got some aspects of an RPG. But taking evolution of a caracter or object (car) to consider a game as rpg; nearly ervery game would be an rpg. CODMW2 MP, your perks and weapons rise with your level-ups. Arma2 beginnig as troup leader finishing as commander,… . When GT came out in the 90′s, RPG’s were round base, and for me that makes an RPG, if you would pause Gt before a corner, in order to choose the best angle to attack the apex, i would agree.
RPG is also for the most time, as the name stats a game where you play a role, which is abstract. Gt is not abstract, it’s based on real life concepts.
Otherwise, our lives would be role playing. So I don’t think RPG applies to Gt because if you want to find rpg attributes in games, you will find them, in all types of games even soduku!!On the other side, I understand why they compare it to Rpg (like said above). But I would rather comment on the philosophy and evolution on Gt’series which is super interesting. like Kaz commented on non-damage on cars and why that is good (to not mess up beauties (cars)), the evolution of the physics, the concept of a game between sim and arcarde,…..
conclusion: GT is not an RPG. GT is a racing Game with simulation inputs.
Final conclusion: We want GT5.
(sry for the lenght)gran tursimo’ing the world mile by mile
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 am - #Gnasha
GT was indeed a big Rocket Propelled Grenade in the car sim pond. Never i bought 3 generations of console for a sole game.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:37 am - #TOLL-Scibba-HRT
best GranTurismo game every made 1998. i hope they remake GranTurismo 1998 on HD it will be good to see old girl back in style
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 am - #FDM73
The thing that irritated me the most in GT3 and 4 must be this RPG part. Put a turbo in your car and be quicker instead of learning better driving skills. With the Performance Points in GT5 this is history, you need racingskills to race.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 am - #Razor
This is a standart career mode, and there is nothing new neither in GT nor in RPG series. Actually RPG has nothing to do with it at all.
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:20 am - #Cobraagent90
Edge magazine… Have you seen their reviews?? I am sure they get paid to write what the write… I mean they find the cons of the game in the dullest place… They have given Ratchet and Clank a 7 while all others gave it a 9…I’m sure they will give GT5 a 9 instead of 10(or 12 if it is possible) because of………… the menus for example
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 am - #Turbo_3800
Ahhh the good old days of taking a green & red full race customized 946hp R33 on the test track running 244mph. I couldn’t repeat that feat again on later GTs for some reason lmao. Indeed GT came along way and loved them all. GT a RPG? I guess that’s how some see it. It’s a Interesting concept but I’ll have to give Tokyo Xtreme Racer the runner up for a racing RPG of course under the G.O.A.T..GT!
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am - #riph
Gran Turismo is RPG of racing game
-
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 am - #Tek9[R]
Wow, it takes GT 13 years to get good press…I’ll remember that for GT5,
I wonder what Kaz thinks of this? I for one am glad that some one has finaly put into words what i’ve always known.
(and I second the vote for rain!)
GTPlanet on Google+
@ gt5_pr0
You do know that is in a month right?
Because I don’t mind going back for a month.
By the by I know it’s a lame comment, but your
comment is even lamer so pls su.