Quick comparison between GT5, GT4 and Forza 3

pixeljunkynz · Nov 26, 2010

I thought I'd stop racing to do a quick comparison between GT5 and Forza 3.

There's a write up and another comparison on my blog

Comparison: GT4 vs GT5 vs FORZA 3

NEW COMPARISON: GT5 vs FORZA 3, II
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=4247148&posted=1#post4247148

Wilmer420 · Nov 26, 2010

Based only on these two pics I'd say forza 3 looks more real.

pixeljunkynz · Nov 26, 2010

Wilmer420
Based only on these two pics I'd say forza 3 looks more real.

You're brave to say that on this forum :sly:

but yes, based only on those two I'd agree. The GT lighting, reflections and motion blur are better. But the car feels cut & pasted onto the background. The Forza one is seamless.

TenEightyOne · Nov 26, 2010

Let me say first that I'm a massive Forza fan too (or I wouldn't still be running World League Racing after all these years... so don't think I'm just hating on Forza!

I think that when you look at a car you automatically look to the headlights (maybe it's a human facial-recognition thing).

On the comparison shots above I'd say that GT5 has mastered the complexity of the reflections in and around the headlights and that Forza doesn't look quite right.

I also think (and have ALWAYS thought) that the GTx palettes just seem much more natural than Forza.

pixeljunkynz · Nov 26, 2010

TenEightyOne
I think that when you look at a car you automatically look to the headlights (maybe it's a human facial-recognition thing).

On the comparison shots above I'd say that GT5 has mastered the complexity of the reflections in and around the headlights and that Forza doesn't look quite right.

Brilliant point that is one area GT is so clearly superior.

What do you think of the photomode controls in GT compared to Forza. I find the GT system quick painful, the 2 phase system annoys the hell out of me.

Viper98 · Nov 26, 2010

it's worth noting that Forza 3 uses considerably higher LOD models in photomode where as GT5 seems to be identicle in game and photomode with just added AA and whatever effects you add in the camera

pixeljunkynz · Nov 28, 2010

updated with new comparison including GT4. The 2 photos from Gran Turismo 4 were shot by Driving God

SouL · Dec 3, 2010

It's interesting to see the slight differences in the Maser GT and the DB9 models. GT4's DB9 looks waaaay off compared to GT5/Forza lol

It's difficult to compare the 2, shot for shot, because the time of day is different.Time of day and the amount of light varies too much in the examples, I think.
Specially in both versions of the 'ring. Clear skies vs overcast.

Forza's la sarthe has an orange color correction. I kinda want to say a lot of the game's tracks has this. Lots of sunsets in their game. But it's been a while since I last played.
GT's is more clear skies afternoon.

If you take pictures in the more shaded areas of the tracks in GT, you'll a much softer contrast levels in both the car and environments.

The one thing that GT really impress me with is the environment maps they have running on the cars. I absolutely love how you can see the paint color shift when it's reflecting blue skies.

I think Forza took an artistic choice and wanted to present the screen more as an "image" Hence the slight color filter.
GT I think is simply trying to base their colors right off the photo reference.

Cool stuff, though. And great pics! The R8 pics at night are great

pixeljunkynz · Dec 3, 2010

SouL
It's interesting to see the slight differences in the Maser GT and the DB9 models. GT4's DB9 looks waaaay off compared to GT5/Forza lol

Haha

SouL
It's difficult to compare the 2, shot for shot, because the time of day is different.Time of day and the amount of light varies too much in the examples, I think.
Specially in both versions of the 'ring. Clear skies vs overcast.

Yeah, it's really tricky to nail down the right light. I think trying to match 3 games is just too much. I'm stuggling enough to compare GT5 & F3.

SouL
Forza's la sarthe has an orange color correction. I kinda want to say a lot of the game's tracks has this. Lots of sunsets in their game. But it's been a while since I last played.
GT's is more clear skies afternoon.

You're right, I also find forza has higher contrast. It's like it's filtered to have punch rather than look realistic.

SouL
If you take pictures in the more shaded areas of the tracks in GT, you'll a much softer contrast levels in both the car and environments.

That's a good idea. I keep trying to take a similar photo, rather than trying to get the light just right.

SouL
The one thing that GT really impress me with is the environment maps they have running on the cars. I absolutely love how you can see the paint color shift when it's reflecting blue skies.

Totally agree with you, the reflections are stunning, they get stronger as the surface curves away from the camera and yeah, the colour shift is just right.

SouL
Cool stuff, though. And great pics! The R8 pics at night are great

Yeah I really dig those R8 pics too, thanks man!

Rekarp · Dec 3, 2010

At Low speeds: forza looks better. The backgrounds just look more realistic when its not moving.
At High speeds: GT5 looks much better. The blur and motion looks just like it does in real life photos.

Personally overall (I own both) I would say GT5 looks better as 95% of the time your car and environment is moving really fast. Only thing thats just butt ugly is the spectators.

daspianist · Dec 3, 2010

Focusing on the environments though, GT5's tree walls and repeating textures (highlights above) is quite a let-down.

daspianist · Dec 3, 2010

What I also do not understand is why Polyphony painstakingly recreated some of the graffiti on the road of the Nurburgring, but would leave the environment textures as tree walls (reminiscent of previous generation console games) rather than different arrangements of tree textures to update the looks of the game.

maxpontiac · Dec 3, 2010

It's amazing on how much better the lighting and shadows are in GT5 as compared to Forza 3.

I am even suprised at how well the headlights in GT4 compare to Forza 3 as well.

Regardless, it's just splitting hairs.

csevin · Dec 3, 2010

based solely on the first two pictures...I think the short of it is:

GT5: the car looks better
FORZA: the environment looks better.

I have owned and enjoyed every installment of each series...and am probably more of an xbox guy than a PS guy. And I will admit that GT5 has its shortcomings. There are times when you're using a standard car on one of the worse looking tracks and it is far less than impressive.

Having said that...I think a lot of people are knocking GT5 a lot harder than it deserves. The bottom line is this; when both games are looking their best...GT5 hands down demolishes forza graphically.

otago · Dec 4, 2010

maxpontiac
It's amazing on how much better the lighting and shadows are in GT5 as compared to Forza 3.

I am even suprised at how well the headlights in GT4 compare to Forza 3 as well.

Regardless, it's just splitting hairs.

This photos are far from the best. I can show you a bit better overview

Vulcao · Dec 4, 2010

Shadows, tires and especially wheels in Forza look better than in GT5. Gray wheels in GT5 always look "off" to me, like if they hadn't had texturization, and the tires look like they're made of plastic sometimes.

pixeljunkynz · Dec 4, 2010

I've done another set of comparisons

Note the reflections running down the side GT5 = 👎

Headlights are usually stunning in GT5, this one really surprised me.