Enthusia

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gek54
  • 568 comments
  • 38,807 views
G

Gek54

Messages
335
Since Forza got its own thread I thought Enthusia was much more deserving of its own thread on this forum being it is in direct competition on the PS2, running at 60fps with graphics as good as if not better than GT4(dynamic headlamp lighting and tire marks). It is already being touted as being more realistic than GT4 by GT's own US producer, Enthusia looks like it is raising the bar even further in terms of realistic physics. Not only utilizing the 900 degrees of the DFP, Konami plans to release their own 900 degree TFF wheel that seems to come with a much more realistic size wheel that can be switched out your own wheel. Enthusia will have a manual clutch thought I have not seen if their wheel will feature a clutch pedal or not. Enthusia features gravel tracks, snow/ice tracks, Dakar style sand dune tracks and Initial D style mountain tracks and of course real life tracks such as the prized Nurburgring among several others. I can’t seem to find a car list but from all the cars seen in the pics and videos the game doesn’t seem to be lacking.
Enthusia introduces a Visual Gravity System (VGS) that not only displays in what direction and amount of G-forces are being applied to the car but also displays angle of the front tires, the amount of grip by changing color showing you how close they are to maximum grip. There is a shaded frame around the screen that is designed to give the feeling of the drivers view. This frame will bounce when driving over bumps, it will shift downward when braking and up when accelerating, left when turning right and right when turning left. From the videos it seems the engine and tire squealing sounds more accurate than GT4.

vgs_02_thum_01.jpg
vgs_02_thum_02.jpg


Konami interviewed several top auto experts on the authenticity of Enthusia's physics and tracks. I was most impressed with what Hiroshi Ito, Mazda's Chassis Dynamics Development expert, had to say. Check out his and other expert interviews with their English transcripts: HERE

This Mazda real life comparison video is amazing: Miata Comparison

pict0026.jpg

pict0029.jpg

920586_20041221_screen009.jpg
 
sweeeeeeet. that vette's hood looks like its outa a comic book tho :crazy: looks really nice though. i have been begging for a clutch pedal foreverrrr. yay for Enthusia if you have it, otherwise... i hate you Enthusia, i will be a GT4 fanboy forever !! :sly: later-
 
Gek54
It is already being touted as being more realistic than GT4 by GT's own US producer.
Click to expand...

You should have read that a little more carefully.. GT's producer (I forget his name, it wasn't Kaz) was saying that in a negative way. That the Enthusia developers were so obsessed with realism that they're forgetting that they're making a game. There's a fine line between a true simulator and a game, a line that GT treads very lightly, and very successfully. Ever heard people talk about "Flight Simulator"? How it's harder to fly that game than it is to fly a real plane? What if Enthusia is the same way? What if it's SO realistic that it's not even fun anymore?

I'm still waiting to find out if there's anything unique about Enthusia that warrants another fifty bucks tossed at my local GameStop. It has many of the same tracks as GT4 (I think the only non-GT4 tracks are the original fantasy courses.. all the real-life courses are already in GT4). And there are currently NO cars in Enthusia that aren't already available in GT4. So, essentially, the game isn't offering very much at this point. In many ways, it's literally a GT-clone.. same cars, many of the same tracks.. there's really nothing unique about it just yet. Definitely not on my "buy" list until I read some final reviews.. I'm actually not that impressed by the previews so far. And even that video of the Miata doesn't really show me anything.. I'd bet GT4 looks about the same when putting a Miata through those kinds of maneuvers.
 
Jedi2016
What if it's SO realistic that it's not even fun anymore?
Click to expand...

For me personally this point is never reached. I don't care about any 'game' parts. I only care about realism and immersion.
 
Jedi2016
You should have read that a little more carefully.. GT's producer (I forget his name, it wasn't Kaz) was saying that in a negative way. That the Enthusia developers were so obsessed with realism that they're forgetting that they're making a game.
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to agree with this. Too often, game designers become obsessed with having more features than the next guy, whether or not they actually make the game more fun. This doesn't preclude the possibility of Enthusia being a great game, but its greatness won't come from some stupid bobbing camera or hyper-realistic tire squeals. That said, I'll be damn impressed if someone can make a game that is more fun Gran Turismo.
 
The in cockpit veiw looks way to cluttered for my liking. As far as better physics go, as long as they don't make it so getting a car around the track with a good lap time is a chore then they have somthing GT4 is also trying to acheive. Graphics seem to be on par, maybe slightly better. It is really hard to say from screen shots. People say GT4 looks better in person than in screen shots. So anything I see is taken with a grain of salt. They make look better but whos to say a computer hasn't enhanched them? Anyway, GT4 will definatly be getting my $50. Enthusia, maybe depends on what I read here and final reveiws.
 
Enthusia will be $39. All these racing and car experts on Konamis site are putting their credentials on the line and saying it is the most accurate physics they have seen in a game. I have several friends who have a long history of competition racing who have tried Enthusia at TGS, that say it is the most realistic they have experienced though control with the DualShock seemed impossible at the time.
 
Enthusia looks very nice in those (probably touched-up) screenies. The color palette is a lot more convincing than Forza's and on par with, if not better than, GT4 in realism. Personally I prefer simulation to "fun", and I wouldn't mind if GT4 took the simulation element a little further in exchange for newbie playability. I just know that's not likely to happen, with the series as popular as it is. In my opinion GT is a little too user-friendly and a little too shallow in terms of customization elements, but again that's just my take.

Some of the best PC wargames, in my opinion, are sparsely marketed brilliant, deep masterpieces that get little attention and a smaller fanbase. Still, I'll play one of those over a colorful RTS anyday. ;)
 
Jedi2016
You should have read that a little more carefully.. GT's producer (I forget his name, it wasn't Kaz) was saying that in a negative way. That the Enthusia developers were so obsessed with realism that they're forgetting that they're making a game. There's a fine line between a true simulator and a game, a line that GT treads very lightly, and very successfully. Ever heard people talk about "Flight Simulator"? How it's harder to fly that game than it is to fly a real plane? What if Enthusia is the same way? What if it's SO realistic that it's not even fun anymore?
Click to expand...

Yeah in the same way the casual gamers hate Richard Burns Rally becuase its so realistic that most cant even control the car around a single corner and its by far one of the most exhilerating driving experiences I have had, so yes, I am excited to hear GT's producer's cop out that Enthusia is trying to be too realistic. How are you going to pride yourself in calling your creation the "Real Driving Simulator" while saying another game simulates driving too well? I would be curious to know your take on GTR, GPL, and F355?
 
Great thread intro Gek

I really really hope they are not going to dumb it down for the console market. Street Racing Syndicate had promise the same thing but durring development they decided to dumb it down because they said it wasnt fun and too hard. Now they have a none simulation none arcade street racer that doesn't have a fan base from NSFU crowd or the simulation crowd except for the small fan base who took a risk on the game(raising hands up as one of those few).


If everything they promise goes as plan, that is my most anticipated game. Even over GT4 by a slight margin :)
 
newbielives
I really really hope they are not going to dumb it down for the console market. Street Racing Syndicate had promise the same thing but durring development they decided to dumb it down because they said it wasnt fun and too hard. Now they are have a none simulation none arcade street racer that doesn't have a fan base from NSFU crowd or the simulation crowd except for the small fan base who took a risk on the game(raising hands up as one of those few).


If everything they promise goes as plan, that is my most anticipated game. Even over GT4 by a slight margin :)
Click to expand...

Yeah this is a fear of mine too. I sad to hear about SRS, the driving in the demo was mind numbing dull. Any chance the game might have a code to unlock the more realistic handling?

Here is a current list of cars spotted in Enthusia:
1.Honda NSX-R
2.Nissan Skyline GTR (R34)
3.Nissan Pickup Rally Car (DAKAR '04)
4.Nissan Skyline GTR (Xanavi Nismo JGTC)
5.Nissan R390 GT1 Le Mans ('98)
6.Audi R8R Le Mans (Team Goh Japan '04)
7.Audi TT Quattro
8.BMW Z4 3.0i
9.Ford Focus RS Rally Car ('02)
10.Mazda RX-8
11.Mazda RX-7
12.Mazda 787B
13.Mazda MX-5
14.Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 GSR
15.Mitsubishi Pajero
16.Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Rally Car (DAKAR '03)
17.Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Version 8
18.Citroen Xsara Rally Car ('02)
19.Citroen Saxo VTS
20.Peugeot 206 Rally Car ('01)
21.Toyota Celica GT-Four
22.Toyota Supra (ESSO Ultraflo)
23.Toyota Sprinter Trueno (3-door)
24.Toyota GT-One Race Car ('99)
25.Toyota MR-S
26.ASL Garaiya
27.Alpine Renault A110 1600S
28.RUF CTR2
29.RUF 3400S
30.RUF RGT
31.Suzuki Cappuccino
32.Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
33.Aston Martin Vanquish
34.Aston Martin DB4
35.(Mclaren) Mercedes SLR ('03)
36.Mercedes-Benz G500
37.Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM
38.Volkswagon Golf R32
39.Volkswagon Touraeg
40.Mini Cooper S
41.Smart Fortwo
42.Smart Cabrio
43.AC Cobra
44.Lotus Elise 190
45.Land Rover Range Rover
46.Fiat 500F
47.Lancia Stratos Rally Car ('77)
48.Ford GT
49.Ford Mustang GT
 
I'm sorry but there's no way SRS could be seriously taken as a good racing game when picking up hookers and strippers was part of the deal.

Enthusia looks kickass, the first time i saw the miata video, i was glad that the gran turismo series had finally met it's match. It's one of those games where you have to experience with a steering wheel in order to be claimed a true simulator. Which is perfect because i've been in search of that game for a while, and since gtr hasn't arrived yet, i think this is something to hope for as well.
 
Gek54
Yeah this is a fear of mine too. I sad to hear about SRS, the driving in the demo was mind numbing dull. Any chance the game might have a code to unlock the more realistic handling?

Here is a current list of cars spotted in Enthusia:
1.Honda NSX-R
2.Nissan Skyline GTR (R34)
313.Mazda MX-5
14.Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 GSR
15.Mitsubishi Pajero
16.Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Rally Car (DAKAR '03)
17.Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Version 8
18.Citroen Xsara Rally Car ('02)
19.47.Lancia Stratos Rally Car ('77)
48.Ford GT
49.Ford Mustang GT
Click to expand...

How many cars are in it? From an add in PSM it said "hundreds" - so what? like 200?
 
Jedi2016
You should have read that a little more carefully.. GT's producer (I forget his name, it wasn't Kaz) was saying that in a negative way. That the Enthusia developers were so obsessed with realism that they're forgetting that they're making a game. There's a fine line between a true simulator and a game, a line that GT treads very lightly, and very successfully. Ever heard people talk about "Flight Simulator"? How it's harder to fly that game than it is to fly a real plane? What if Enthusia is the same way? What if it's SO realistic that it's not even fun anymore?

I'm still waiting to find out if there's anything unique about Enthusia that warrants another fifty bucks tossed at my local GameStop. It has many of the same tracks as GT4 (I think the only non-GT4 tracks are the original fantasy courses.. all the real-life courses are already in GT4). And there are currently NO cars in Enthusia that aren't already available in GT4. So, essentially, the game isn't offering very much at this point. In many ways, it's literally a GT-clone.. same cars, many of the same tracks.. there's really nothing unique about it just yet. Definitely not on my "buy" list until I read some final reviews.. I'm actually not that impressed by the previews so far. And even that video of the Miata doesn't really show me anything.. I'd bet GT4 looks about the same when putting a Miata through those kinds of maneuvers.
Click to expand...

i have to disagree here, too much realisim won't make a sim less fun.

and while GT4 physics are pretty good, they are still a far cry from being a benchmark in the industry, i can't really vouch for enthusia at this point, but i can't wait to try it... while it's true that GT4 allready has what enthusia has to offer some players might like enthusia more if it has more accurate physics, GT4 made lots of compromises because it pushed the PS2 graphical limits, it made compromises with AI for instance, the AI is just pathetic in GT4, so if Konami gets this right this could be a factor to look out for. same goes for online play, hopefully Konami will realize that when you have such an accurate sim the best way to have fun on it is with other human players.

it won't have as much tuning options... but if the driving experience is good, i really don't care that much. then there's the legacy of GT4... wich i don't know why it has carried it for so long... gameplay quirks, sure they imrpoved the physics engine, but somethings haven't changed at all since gt1, such as:
-no clutch (this is a big one)
-no "real" automatic transmisions.
-no dynamic weather (this was done to accomplish better graphics by using a more photorealistic "fake" lightning, but it's a compromise.)

i could go on. i think the two games will be more different than you think, and by quite a bit. i REALLY hope they get clutch support of some sort.. even if it means pluging a USB clutch into it.

i'll end up playing both, Konami was banking on GT4 having crappy physics, but surprise for them, they are actually pretty decent this time around, but i still think konami will have an edge here, but again, can't tell untill i have played it...

i don't see what the big deal is, if you like both, you buy both and play both, it's that simlpe. you allready own the wheel and the console.
 
I think having more cars in a game is nice but that never makes me buy a game. If NSFU2 had every car ever made I still wouldn't spend more then 20 bucks for it.

Its about physics, tracks and graphics.

Thats all I care about. 👍
 
Gek54
Yeah in the same way the casual gamers hate Richard Burns Rally becuase its so realistic that most cant even control the car around a single corner and its by far one of the most exhilerating driving experiences I have had, so yes, I am excited to hear GT's producer's cop out that Enthusia is trying to be too realistic. How are you going to pride yourself in calling your creation the "Real Driving Simulator" while saying another game simulates driving too well? I would be curious to know your take on GTR, GPL, and F355?
Click to expand...

i completley agree, if it has a simulator tag, there shouldn't be compromise, RBR makes rally in GT4 look like pong.
F355 is great fun too, so is GTR and GPL, doesn't appeal casual gamers? well tough
$hit, fact is GT4 should be this way, and evry new game it's getting closer to a true sim, fact is, this is why GT4 has B-Spec and this is the same reason PD wants to release "gran turismo for boys" because the GT series is finally getting serious about being a sim.
 
I'm looking foward to Enthusia also. i just Hope it has good support for the logitech driving force pro!!
 
SaintKamus
i have to disagree here, too much realisim won't make a sim less fun.

and while GT4 physics are pretty good, they are still a far cry from being a benchmark in the industry, i can't really vouch for enthusia at this point, but i can't wait to try it... while it's true that GT4 allready has what enthusia has to offer some players might like enthusia more if it has more accurate physics, GT4 made lots of compromises because it pushed the PS2 graphical limits, it made compromises with AI for instance, the AI is just pathetic in GT4, so if Konami gets this right this could be a factor to look out for. same goes for online play, hopefully Konami will realize that when you have such an accurate sim the best way to have fun on it is with other human players.

it won't have as much tuning options... but if the driving experience is good, i really don't care that much. then there's the legacy of GT4... wich i don't know why it has carried it for so long... gameplay quirks, sure they imrpoved the physics engine, but somethings haven't changed at all since gt1, such as:
-no clutch (this is a big one)
-no "real" automatic transmisions.
-no dynamic weather (this was done to accomplish better graphics by using a more photorealistic "fake" lightning, but it's a compromise.)

i could go on. i think the two games will be more different than you think, and by quite a bit. i REALLY hope they get clutch support of some sort.. even if it means pluging a USB clutch into it.

i'll end up playing both, Konami was banking on GT4 having crappy physics, but surprise for them, they are actually pretty decent this time around, but i still think konami will have an edge here, but again, can't tell untill i have played it...

i don't see what the big deal is, if you like both, you buy both and play both, it's that simlpe. you allready own the wheel and the console.
Click to expand...


EDIT:
i forgot to add another thing GT4 improved on but not totally... sound, they improved lots of things, such as tyre sound, wind noise and SOME engine noise.. but transmision noise sounds like GT2 (very fake and bad.) and some engine sounds are completley inacurate in some cars, even NFSU2 has better sounds.. so konami can defenetly have an edge in the sound department too. hopefully by GT5 PD will drop the legacy COMPLETLEY and start the game from scratch, it's hard to belive some of the things in GT4 are still exactly the same they were in the PS1.
while it's defenetly a whole new engine, it still carries some legacy in some parts. but at least the driving experience and tracks are completley different this time around.
 

Latest Posts

Back