GT5 First Impressions

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I hate when people exaggerate things. The standard cars look better than most of all the other cars for any racing game for the PS3.(besides prologue)

Is it really that insane to expect graphics that are at least not worse than the prologue to this game, which came out, what, 3 years ago? I'm NOT talking about the standard cars, these are good enough for me, the shadows on the otherhand (on premium and standard cars) Maybe it will get patched though.
 
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I'm new to the series and I love it!!! If your new, you need to get a DFGT to make the most of this game!!! Just fallen in love with my Evo!! Its a beauty!!!

Just wish the exhaust sounds were more crisp and cracky!!
 
Is it really that insane to expect graphics that are at least not worse than the prologue to this game, which came out, what, 3 years ago? I'm NOT talking about the standard cars, these are good enough for me, the shadows on the otherhand (on premium and standard cars) Maybe it will get patched though.

Smh...yea I hope so. That's the most flawed detail of the game beside the same old generic GT4 spoilers and "1 millimeter barely noticeble front carbon diffuser or whatever the hell that piece of crap is". Other than that im loving the game.
 
Seems a bit buggy for me. Its frozen a handful of times. Sometimes it takes 2 minutes to load main menu after coming out of gt mode.(I did full install). But load times are quick, most tracks loading in 30 seconds. I think the game actually handles great, very enjoyable. No time trial leaderboards annoyed me, but the shadows are atrocious. Seriously. With all of PD's perfectionist excuses as to the time it took to make the game, the shadows are absolutly awful. Very choppy. Sometimes they look like black strobe lights.
 
My general opinion of this game is that it's actually two games that have been smushed into one to save on development cost and time. I think it's pretty clear that PD spent a ridiculous amount of time modeling cars and physics and not enough time to make all of the tracks look consistent. There are some UGLY textures on the tracks. On top of that it's also pretty clear that the AI is pretty much the same thing. I've noticed that there are some improvements but most people won't notice them because unfortunately GT has always encouraged using cars that are way too powerful for some races (maybe that's fixed in the higher races I don't know I haven't gotten there yet).

Besides those gripes the new user interface is substantially improved over GT4 my goodness it's a world of difference. But there are some slow load times. Other than that it's impossible to find a more accurate feeling game, and the cars and tracks that are rendered properly are simply phenomenal. Overall probably an 8/10 so far, I definitely will be sinking some time into it after this weekend (terrible release timing Sony, wtf).
 
Great game tarnished with bugs and awful awful awful shadowing.

When cars are in dust/rain their outlines look like NES graphics.

I've had a road turn bright violet (in gameplay and replay), special stage route 5 seems to be a particularly buggy course.

Volume sometimes drops when going in a tunnel (?!)

AI slow at cornering, lightening on the straights.

There are of course good things about it but 8.5 seems about right, if not a bit generous. Although I hope as I play more, my opinion will improve...
 
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO my Gt5 copy was delayed by ups they said because the weather conditions. It was just 30 degrees outside and really sunny thats bull now i have to wait till friday Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh
 
Good Impressions:
-amazing visuals (smoke effects, buildings etc.)
-ton of stuff to do (I don't know where to start!)
-Arcade mode is something I'll be doing quite a bit for once in the GT series
-Cape Ring. Enough said.

Bad Impressions:
-Weird shadows (I know that I'll ignore them eventually. this board has brainwashed me into looking for them)
-smoke and rain effects cause sharp edges on cars
-Long ass install. But thats done so no big deal
 
Really enjoying this so far, glad I picked up the DFGT too as it definitely adds to the experience; doubt I'd be having as much fun with a controller.

This is also the first GT game I've actually played properly - I gave the first one a go when it came out, but that was only briefly in the games shop I was working in. I also own GT3 and GT4 but never sat down with them for more than 5 minutes as I picked up both during the recent period where I was buying a ton of PS2 games, and now they're back in the UK. This is probably a good thing for me as I've heard one or two people being a bit disappointed with the lack of change from GT4/GT5P.

Looking forward to taking it online, but I think I'll save getting destroyed for a little bit longer and stick with offline for now. ;)

Also, maybe I need to be in bigger races/on more complex tracks, but the loading times really haven't bothered me so far. I used to have Forza 3 and the loading times on that irritated me a lot more.

The only thing that I could say negatively right now is that the shadows look godawful, but that's really minor. The driving experience itself is great fun (but I'm always a gameplay over realism type of guy anyway). Yes, the 'bumper cars' effect is a little odd in standard cars too, but I can deal with that.

As a final morsel of thought - I'm not exaggerating when I say I've been smiling almost constantly when playing this game, so that really says something about it.
 
This is supposed to be First Impressions. I have had no problems what so ever. First thing I did was download all my cars, Collector's Edition and Gamestops. Second I did the 133mb install, which took all of about 2-3 min. Third I did the full install of the game, it did take close to an hour. It was well worth it as well, as my load times are minimal. I did everything it asked me too do, set-up wise, I then went to configure my audio which it already detected my 7.1 pcm 48k set up. It says you can jump right in and race or start taking the liscensing test. Which is where I'm at now. It's fun with the DFGT. The graphics are pretty good so far. You do see a little glitches, but it's better then not having a Gran Turismo 5. one thing you can benifit from is taking all the Liscense test to build up your level. Which will entitle you to better cars. So far i'm very happy with it. I give it a 8.9. Also the cars have their own sound, some people have complained about this. I have not heard this to be yet, enjoy everybody.

I agree with all of this (DFGT is truly worth getting for GT5 alone), but I'll add that I love the Photomode (freezing the replay at any point so that you can do a 360 walk around? Heck, who needs to take a photo!)

But that main menu freeze, combined with lack of replay exporting ability (which they promised would be included), brings it down to an 8/10 for me.
 
Played it for more than 12 hours today. I think that's all I really need to say.

It's not perfect (far from it), but I'm having a blast with it.
 
But that main menu freeze, combined with lack of replay exporting ability (which they promised would be included), brings it down to an 8/10 for me.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe they had to go back on that promise for a reason?
 
I just started playing it. Downloaded the cars from the gamestop pre-order...

Man the NASCAR sounds are awesome. I think they nailed that. I'm having trouble figuring out how to drive though. Physics are so much different from Prologue.
 
I put about 6 hours into it. It's good, great at times. The feel of the cars is better than it has been, you can feel the road and the corners more, but I still dont think it feels as good as Forza 3. The cars just feel so alive in that, taking corners is such a joy, and its fine in GT5, just not quite as good.

Lots of graphical glitches and imperfections which is really hard to accept, but maybe they can be patched. Menu system is awful, it's constantly loading, and often times when I try to get back to My Home, the freaking thing freezes up for like a solid munite, maybe even more. Ive seen lots of people complaining about that so its widespread.

I think had this game come out in 2007 people would be a little easier on it, but right now I fail to understand what they've been working on for 6 years. I mean, Forza 3 took 2 years. Seriously.....

This is a fine racing sim, but its pretty much been surpassed in terms of quality, pretty much on almost every level. But like I said, maybe some of these issues will be fixed through patches. PD must be aware the menu system runs like a turd.
 
I've played for about 2 hours. The license tests are fun and bring back memories of the old games.

I then went and ran some laps in arcade mode. This has been said before, but the standard cars really are awful. I almost wish you could check a box that would remove them from the game.

I took the F-40 to a wet Monza track, now I must be spoiled by F1 2010's weather effects, because I think GT5 has been caught by other games. There is no wet reflection coming off of the track, it just looks matte like it would dry.

Anyway, i don't want to make any snap judgments after just a couple of hours playing, but color me disappointed so far. I hope after more time I can see some other things that outweight the disappointing things.
 
Well.... I must say... After reading some of these reviews I have come to a realization.

1. I'm glad I didn't sell my 360 yet with Forza 3.
2. I hope buying ps3 4 days ago wasn't in vain just for this game :D

3. Seeing that about a month ago Sony gave me a brand new 40'' 1080p LCD TV for FREE as well as a $50 sony style gift card, which got me Gran Turismo 5 preorder, I guess it can't be that bad... Right?

I came into the GT series at the release of 3, owned 4 (preordered as well) spending almost two years of playing every day with the DFP and now soon to be 5, I'm really hoping people are over exaggerating some things.

I already know the nasty shadows and expecting long load times, but i got plenty of HDD space to do a full install :) So... We'll see, I guess only time will tell.

Sonystyle still hasn't shipped my copy out and I probably wont be seeing it for about 5 days.
 
I put about 6 hours into it. It's good, great at times. The feel of the cars is better than it has been, you can feel the road and the corners more, but I still dont think it feels as good as Forza 3. The cars just feel so alive in that, taking corners is such a joy, and its fine in GT5, just not quite as good.

Lots of graphical glitches and imperfections which is really hard to accept, but maybe they can be patched. Menu system is awful, it's constantly loading, and often times when I try to get back to My Home, the freaking thing freezes up for like a solid munite, maybe even more. Ive seen lots of people complaining about that so its widespread.

I think had this game come out in 2007 people would be a little easier on it, but right now I fail to understand what they've been working on for 6 years. I mean, Forza 3 took 2 years. Seriously.....

This is a fine racing sim, but its pretty much been surpassed in terms of quality, pretty much on almost every level. But like I said, maybe some of these issues will be fixed through patches. PD must be aware the menu system runs like a turd.

Could not have said it better. It is a great game but I don't see 6 years worth.....
 
I did a quick arcade mode race to hold me over until the kids are asleep. Menus are fresh, great intro. I chose a Volvo hatch to spin around Grand Valley, it FELT good, but the replays (normally the best part) flickered... badly. And when I say badly, I mean it was distracting... VERY distracting. I really hope that the GT Life mode is engaging enough to make up for the poor quality graphics. Fingers crossed that this two minute eval isn´t foreshadowing a dreadful experience.

AM update: So I spent some time last night hammering thru B-License (all silver woot) and the early A-Spec challenges. I chose a 02 Mazda Protege as my first car and I think the modeling isn´t too bad. Its like a GT4 version w/a bit more polish. In fact it never flickers or pixelates during the replay. Which leads me to believe that perhaps the Standard models are a more visually satisfying choice when watching replays?! The premium Volvo I mentioned above was like watching a strobe light, blinking and shading down the straightaway. Ultimately, IMHO, this feels like a polished GT4 with a crazy awesome photomode.
 
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I think you will find many varying opinions.

To summarize I would say the game is pretty decent but the main point I would make is that the game has not met the majority of people's expectations, and if any hardcore GT Fans read this, deep down they will agree with me.

Ive only played for 1 hour so Im not even going to give an opinion yet.

Hardcore GT fan and hate to say it but it wasn't worth 6 years. Played it all day today (6 hours playing and 6 hours waiting to load tracks, main menu, etc...)
 
played for about 4 hours today, didnt have any poor menu loading times, but I did turn off internet as I had been reading about some of the speed issues and that fixed it.

I think it is a great game, have not been following the progress of the game like I'm sure some here have but did see a few things that people are complaining about and honestly I do not think it as big of a deal as people make it out to be. For example the shadows, only bad part I have seen is basically the shadows dont have anti-alising so they are jaggy, I can see why people may be complaining about that, but I think that can probably be fixed in a patch, if not then they may have done it for performance, which is OK with me.

As for the good, karting is great, nascar is great, although the speed may be a little exaggerated. Have only done 1 night race and no races with weather, just barely scratching the surface of the game, and have to say so far this is by far hands down the best most well rounded racing game I've seen or played. Yes there may be some minor issues here and there, shadows, damage not living up to the hype and pretty much being non existent, but other than those few negatives this is a great game and I know that I am going to be enjoying this for a long time to come.
 
All I can say is that I'm really loving these physics.
 
Hate to post another reply about my first impressions, but after playing all day (1/4 of time was waiting on game to load or unfreeze when going back to home page), I was a little let down. The game is "good" but waiting 6 years, the game should be "great".

Also, I know this goes into the car list, but who actually drives some of the cars they have in the game. Example, the beginner races, I won a Honda something or the other that had 44hp. The other one was the VW that I think I saw in Inglorious Bastards (won it for something). Guess Kaz saw the movie and wanted to put it in the game? Also the VW "hippie" bus for the Top Gear special. After playing for 30 seconds, I gave up for the fact that at 40mph, I would still be racing as I speak.

The rain on the windshield does not look as good as I thought it would (don't get me wrong, it looks o.k.) and the graphics are not as good as I thought they would be. I guess I was hoping that it would be a step up from GT5P, but looks the same (if not a little worse - especially the standard cars which is 80% of the game).

Lastly, no actual support for G25 or G27???? Really! I really guess Kaz and PD want you to buy the DFGT wheel. Shame on me for buying something other that the DFGT.

Oh well, at least they can't delay it again.........
 
I havent even touched the game yet, these reviews are depressing.

After reading a few online reviews, BOY do I feel bad for all the people that bought the GT5 PS3 special edition bundle!!!!

Wow..
 
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Hi Guys,
Yesterday 24 NOV, 7pm in Singapore i finally bought the GT5 Region3, one copy for myself and another for my buddy to encourage him to appreciate GT...which I told him will be the best driving games..as he is impressed with GTP at my place before.

i was horrified when i see the gameplay graphic..it looks like few yrs ago technology and the graphic style is now filmlike..not crisp sharp and not HD looks as per GTP.. what a huge sacrifice PD make inorder to achieve great physics.. At first i thought i am using standard cars thats why... then i realise i have the cockpit on. Both the interior view and the track details is only 60% of GTP quality...Somehow I feel the previews on youtube don't live up to the actual stuff we get now.. DO you all think a patch can improve graphics? i really doubt so.....but pray hard it will one day pls.

I was thinking for forza III most said that its graphic is superb but negative on the driving physics and most would rather have the 2nd.. Shockingly now GT5 is the case at this moment..I played 5 hours so far.. the plus points are physics, G27 feedback definitely better than GTP, engine sound. Cheers
 
Loving it, but they need to ditch that stupid levels system. Ive got a million credits and lvl12! WTF?
 
Hate to post another reply about my first impressions, but after playing all day (1/4 of time was waiting on game to load or unfreeze when going back to home page), I was a little let down. The game is "good" but waiting 6 years, the game should be "great"..

The delay in the menu's is due to problems they are having with online. There is a news item about it in the upper right hand corner of the main GT menu. Basically, disconnect your ethernet cable or disable networking in the network options until they fix the issue.
 
You know, I thought that premium vs standard would not concern me, but boy do they look awful compared to the premiums, I just wish I too could uncheck a box and make them disappear. I don't want to look at them, I don't want to think about what I can or can't customize, and they are an eye sore when parked next to a premium. Besides, if we counted unique cars we would only have about 400 cars... who needs 50 different skylines, 50 different civics, 50 miatas, 50 rx7s, ... exaggeration, but you get my point. I'd rather have 300 beautiful cars with a complete GT series track list, and everything that we loved about GT4 + Online. In GT4 I loved the fact that I could race in the same race/swich with b spec, I loved how the menu was organised, there was more to do, minus the online... I could rant on forever, but what's the point, they already released the game and I will enjoy it until GT6 comes out on PS4. And hopefully, they will address these issues.

This said, I do want to give it credit where it's due. Physics are phenomenal, customisation options are good, premiums are beautiful, the game is a work or art in progress... I understand why it took so long to make it but if they didn't release it PS3 would have been left with out a Gran Turismo. I am looking forward to GT6 on PS4. PD and Sony, I know that you know the shortcomings of both the game and the console, you can make it right the next time around.

EDIT: Now i just sell standards I win for $$$ for proper cars made for PS3 and GT5.
 
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I only played for an hour or so last night but I am really dissapointed with how bad the textures are at Monza and Nurburgring.

Its just plain ugly, the trees in some areas are pretty bad and seem to have some kind of weird mesh effect going on

Its a real poor effort in my opinion that the graphics at these tracks look so dated. (i have heard however that some tracks are stunning).

On the plus side, my initial impression of the physics are very positive indeed.

Time will tell but i must admit visually im underwhelmed.
 
In my opinion GT5 was worth the waiting (3yrs.or so). I've driven GT for about 17 years now. Every following part was the best race game in that time. And now it is still the truth. The sound and graphics are amazing and race experinece is great. Can't wait to drive when i get back from work this evening. But online is not working steady, November 24 in the morning and afternoon was ok. I 've raced online, no probs there. After 1500hr there was a crash on my ps3. There will be probably a patch to download soon. RDR was also giving problems online since the release of GT5, its the same server/engine. Too many people on Playstation network is my thought.
Anyway singleplayer Rules.
Its hard to stay on the track and the clashes causes it hard to drive. Like in a real car.
I'like it.
 
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