Poll: The Great Divide

[Mr. Boy]

I'm satisfied. I read all the reviews and impressions before I bought it, so I knew what to expect. And despite all the bugs I'm enjoying myself.

 

[BlueFG2]

I was really hoping they would've kept the online system the way it was in GT5P (PP and all), but just make it bigger with more races and dedicated servers. And then have options for people to set up their own online races, with a plethora of options, like a race moderator, black flags, safety car, etc.

 

[shirakawaa]

Instead of A- and B-spec PD should have created something like Casual and Professional A-spec modes.
In the Casual mode Skid Recovery Force would be enabled by default, physics somewhat easier and more forgiving, tuning settings would be fewer and easier, there wouldn't be race restrictions and in general the game would cater towards mainly casual players, the younger audience ("boys", as in "Gran Turismo for boys"), pad-users, etc. It would be more like an extension of the Arcade-Mode that people would choose for some quick and painless fun.

The Professional mode would be mostly oriented to wheel users (or brave pad users) and racesim fanatics and would have proper race restrictions and regulations (including driving aids), full damage always on (including mechanical wear and tear), complete and extended tuning options, complete driving physics, etc. In general the game would be harder, more realistic, highly competitive, more than the casual mode.

Online lobbies would be divided into these two big categories as well.

The point of all this is that to me, the biggest flaw of GT5 is trying to appeal to all kinds of users at the same time. This ruins both the off- and online experience, because the game is still too hard for many users and yet not challenging or realistic (or complete, as in set-up and tuning options) enough for motorheads. This together with other flaws such as the lack of tracks or the lack of A-spec events made me vote Dissatisfied.

 

[II IVORBIGUN II]

I must disagree with: "Online multiplayer is becoming more and more the focus because of limitless replay value."
While it surely is the focus, and it adds play value, unless it is the focus of the player, it has very limited replay value.

Strongly disagree with that comment.

Only recently I said to my friends that if GT5 had been released 10yrs ago I would of been happy with the gameplay. However playing the likes of Forza on the Xbox 360 has made me expect alot more.

For example suppose A Spec was similiar to Forza 2 career mode. Now each event would have its own leaderboard with an overall leaderboard for all events. Included in this is a friends leaderboard. Now I can you tell you when me and my friends played the career mode on FM2 we replayed the career mode at least 5 times. Now we wasn't doing this for extra credits but were competiting against ourselves and others on the leaderboards. I cannot tell you what great fun it was to try and be consistently fast for x amount of laps aswell as dodging the A.I. On one endurance event which lasted 45mins we we're seperated by less than a second. This certainly cannot be said for A spec because repeating events is a chore without leaderboards.

Also worth mentioning that the leaderboards could of been for other aspects of GT5 single player mode. For example wouldn't it of been excellent if we could of compared our licence test times with our friends and even have a global leaderboard.

Moving on and we then have the travesty of no stock time trial leaderboards like we had on GT5P. All the cars we have on GT5 and all we get is 4 time trials in the seasonal events.

Overall GT5 is outdated and badly designed. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am because after playing GT5P I purchased a wheelstand pro/G25 ready for GT5. I never for one second thought GT5 would have less leaderboards than GT5P. I also miss the matchmaking events because at least you could just jump in a race and away you go. Infact I would say GT5P is a better game than GT5.

At the moment all im left to do is complete the endurance events on A Spec and finish B Spec. However I really cannot find the motivation to do either. However if GT5 had leaderboards for A Spec and stock time trials like GT5P I would never be off the game.

Im sure some will disagree with me but I bet those who do are those who haven't played FM1/2/3 and have been playing GT4/GT5P whilst waiting for GT5. Let me tell you gaming has changed and some of us expect features such as leaderboards but unfortunately Kaz/PD are still living in the past and so are some of the members on here.

 

[Wolfe]

I think the online is great, even at this early stage. If I owned the game, I could certainly get by on it; I only had a chance to try it for a couple hours, but I had a blast once I found a server with some decent players.

GT Life is "meh" and needs more Special Events, but it isn't a huge problem. All of the inconsistent, wacky decisions here and there are neither a surprise nor a hindrance to me, except for the inexcusably long waits and excessive button presses to accomplish simple tasks. However, while GT is hardly a bad game (it's a quite enjoyable drive), it really doesn't bring anything to the table that I can't find elsewhere.

I'll play Live for Speed for free online multiplayer, and pay for Xbox Live if I want to play with licensed cars in Forza 3. If I want licensed cars and realistic physics (FM3 doesn't offer that), I'll play Enthusia. If I want an immersive experience with my Logitech G25, again, there's LFS, with the best physics and FFB effects I've found. If I want to tune up and modify cars, Forza's there for me. For offroad/rally driving, I like FUEL more than anything else. The Top Gear Test Track was already available as a mod for PC sims before GT5 came out. Several of the games I own (eg. Enthusia, FUEL, PGR4) sate my desire for rain/snow driving, and GRID is fine for a time-changing race at the 24h of LeMans.

In the time it took GT5 to release, enough competitors and other games filled the void that there's really no need for it. It's impressive enough that I need all of those games to match the feature list of GT5, but as many of you are well aware, GT5 is more of a jack-of-all-trades than a master of any. If my only console was a PS3, sure I'd buy it, but especially as a 360 owner, GT5 is the alternative, rather than the trendsetter. And I'd need to borrow my sister's PS3 to play anyway.

I voted "Somewhat satisfied." I might get it and play in the future (I'll keep an eye on what updates bring), but for now there's no point.

 

[rileyra]

Err, you mean people actually read what I post? I feel so special

Went with middle option. However for them to have added more content to GT life they would need to rework the progression of it. Having to drive a crappy car only to win very little money and another same or equally crappy car which you probably can't sell is what kills GT life more than anything.

 

[Airrider]

I'm somewhat satisfied. I love the game, I really do, but as I always do with games I find myself wondering if the devs could have done this, that, or the other thing.

It's that kind of thinking that makes sequels for games like the GT series evolutions of one another rather than much-touted quantum leaps. There's more work to be done that perhaps later versions or a sequel (which seems less likely in the immediate future, especially in this kind of environment where updating is an option than in previous console generations where it kind of wasn't) will most likely address.

GT5, for me, is what it is, and while I can dream about the odd tweak here and there, on the whole I can't complain about much. Usually my concerns come down to cars I wish were on the list (early or late 1980s-era F1 cars, the Celica Pikes Peak, some 90s BTCC cars, just to experience what they were like) or tracks I wish were on the list (like the superb touge courses featured in the Forza games) and wishing there were some more Premium cars and more varied events.

What we have, though, is definitely more than enough to tide me over.

 

[crimson_menace]

I voted "Dissatisfied. GT5 should have had a bigger, better single player"

I've been a GT fan for years & I was hoping maybe this once I wouldn't be let down.
I was. The improvements GT5 has over GT4 should have been in GT4 in the first place & then expanded upon in GT5. GT FINALLY HAS A PAINT SHOP/BODY MODS! A decade too late for me. Need for Speed and Forza has had that since the start. I'm gonna be smart for the next GT release & just rent it--in 2021.

 

[kmg43]

Been playing GT5 since 11/24 and have yet to go online. Doubt I will anytime soon. There is enough in the offline game to keep me happy and if PD keeps adding new events I'll stay happy. At my age i don't need to interact with a bunch of teenagers or 20 somethings...

That's me in a nutshell. This is my first GT game and I couldn't be happier with it. I may peek into an online race out of curiosity but for now I love A and B spec too much. I am 37 with a family, professional career and mortgage so the time I get to myself to race is precious enough that I don't want nor need others involved. I do however enjoy the GT planet group. There is real value in this forum for me.

 

[mastretta_mx]

I'm almost satisfied, I miss the maker special events, I think than if the game had gotten those events I'd be completely satisfied in that point

 

[kekke2000]

This poll is a little tweaked... I mean, who doesn't want more events? I love the game and I have played it for many hours! Mostly a-spec but i'm starting to get the hang of b-spec aswell now.

GT5 is to PS3 what GT3 was to PS2. Except they added 800 cars from the old games aswell since they still look pretty decent and actually a little too good to scrape. If all cars from GT2 were in GT3, GT3 would be 2 things, weird looking and totally awesome. GT5 is not weird looking, just awesome!

 

[FLIGHT50]

I rather they focus on online multiplayer. Competing against real people is way more fun than AI. I played GT3 a lot, but back then barely anybody played online games, and the technology was still very new. Now every game pretty much has to have a robust online mode to keep going for a long time.

Unfortunately, for people who spent a lot of time online, you will notice that it got short changed just like the rest of the game. The network environment is extremely unstable, the penalty system needs lots of work, a lot of restrictions are still too simplistic, there really are only 2 modes (one of which called shuffle has very limited selection of cars.)

This is unfair and I hope it won't happen. Not everyone has internet. Some people can't even get updates or even know about the Seasonal Events. I know in this time and age its all about online. But they can't afford to limit the game and just shoot for online. I won't bother with GT6 if thats the case. I play GT to go at my own pace. Not necessarily to compete online. A lot of the times, people play unfairly online anyways.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

This is unfair and I hope it won't happen. Not everyone has internet. Some people can't even get updates or even know about the Seasonal Events. I know in this time and age its all about online. But they can't afford to limit the game and just shoot for online. I won't bother with GT6 if thats the case. I play GT to go at my own pace. Not necessarily to compete online. A lot of the times, people play unfairly online anyways.

I agree, but they should still continue what they traditionally done with SP (even though they dropped the ball for GT5) while continue to expand online. I'm not saying get rid of SP.

 

[GT Pro]

Somewhat satisfied, but for completely different reasons than that provided in the poll choices.

 

[TJ31]

I'm somewhere between Dissatisfied and Somewhat Satisfied.
Everything is great (yes, even standard cars), except the fact that i have nothing to do in SP anymore. It's not short, it's very short.
If i were a 13 years old like i were when i just got GT2, then i guess it would've took me about 3 - 4 days to complete the whole A-spec thing (that includes licenses, a-spec untill 9hr + endurances and special events).
B-spec should've never existed as well. I said it many times and i will say it again... It's not a game, it's something to make an illusion that GT5 is not 50 hours long game. AI racing with other AIs and you don't even need to do anything at all, just press "start the race". Sure, it's so "fun".
So i have the game that i really like, but where i have nothing to do after maybe 120 hours of gameplay... GT4 took me about 1 year to get 98.x%. =(

 

[Eric.]

I'm not voting because the single player isn't my main issue.

 

[Ya Pops]

I just want to know why you can only change weather/time of day and set restrictions in an online lobby..

Why can't I do this offline in arcade/TT?

 

[rennsport27]

While a bigger single player would be nice, I would actually prefer a bigger, better online mode over a single player mode. Online is loads of fun, and I wish that PD has focused more on a better online system. The system is a good start, but other games (COD comes to mind) have much better online play. While I still have lots of fun with it, there are a lot of things that I think could be improved on. I feel like more money for online play would be nice, at least something that takes your level into account, I'd love to be able to use course editor courses on private lobbies, and open lobbies that people can actually access quickly would be great too. Those are the things on the top of my list, if you're listening PD...

 

[B3rni3]

For me I'm somewhat mixed. Slightly leaning towards dissatisfied.

For me it's the little things that annoy me. The UI, lack of fast forward/rewind in replays, short a spec, lack of customisation of time and weather in practice mode.

It's things like that that annoy me most about the game. The game seems rushed.

I still like the game and spend hours drag racing online with mates and driving the ring in countless different cars.

I would have liked a bit more thought put into the game if you get me.

 

[FanBoy08]

I'm somewhat satisfied. I think they should have added a matchmaking button or include more options in the search for online multiplayer. But they should have eliminated the separate B-Spec portion because it's too long and the AI's are really stupid

 

[SuperCobraJet]

I'm not voting because the single player isn't my main issue.

No doubt there are many issues in GT5 which can effect one's satisfaction, or lack of, with the game.

I wasn't trying to cover all of them, just this one apparent fundamental seperation of mindset, reguarding the single player and online perceptions.

 

[Bigbazz]

I didnt vote in the poll, because none of the choices made sense. I like GT5 but there are some very small things missing that spoil it for me as an evolution over GT4. I'm certaintly not dissatisfied with it though.

 

[RikkiGT-R]

Satisfied, but feel A-spec could have been so much better (more races/laps etc), and B-spec is nonsense.
The driving itself is still second to none.

 

[hyyperactive]

I simply expected gt5 to have tons of different a-spec races. More races, better balanced and better defined. Before GT5 I played gt5p and fm3 and I expected gt5 to be a similar massive time consumer. Not similar as fm3 as a gaming experience but similar in terms of challenge and size. And at least better and more complete than gt5p.

Just like with earlier gt games I thought it would take a long while to finish it. Took less than 30 days to gold 99% of the a-spec, lisences and specials. Only things I need to do is the longer endu races and the vettel challenge. I didn't really play all that much either

I bought the game expecting a good car game. Driving is fun, online is fun but a-spec is something I feel sad about. I'm really disappointed with a-spec. It's just too short, too carbon copy of gran turismo 1 and gaming wise it is very poor experience.

The seasonal events 1 and 2 were the kind of gameplay I expected the basic a-spec races to be. Good prizes, lots of challenge in some events while some being easier.

Sure, online play can save a game like gt5 but pd needs to make it work. All the way from choosing different sets of cars (dmt, jgtc, pre-'90 lemans, ...) to fixing the bugs and adding qualifying sessions.

 

[JuiceMcGoose]

I don't play online. I don't get B spec. For me it's all about leaderboards. So, other than timed seasonal, I'm still waiting for the game to start.

 

[Ken Nitr0]

I couldn't give a hoot about single player, for me it's just a way to grind for some credits to buy cars/upgrades.

Give me the leaderboards w/ghost downloads back and I'd be perfectly happy until GT6. I'm probably in the minority, but all I want is one car I like the handling of, a couple good tracks, somebodies time/score to beat so I always have something to strive for, and I could play that all day long, happy as pig in poop. Best of both worlds, fierce competition and no griefers to deal with.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

I do not see any options for multiplayer and since multiplayer is where it is at I see the poll as meaningless.

The game was not intended to be a single player game so those who expect it to be will be disappointed.

 

[JackC8]

Somewhat satisfied. Great game, but very comparable to other racing game I've played this generation. Considering that GT5 had as much time and money put into it as all the other racing games I've played this generation - combined - that's pretty weak.

 

[SuperCobraJet]

I couldn't give a hoot about single player, for me it's just a way to grind for some credits to buy cars/upgrades.

Another ill concieved contribution (level system) to the destruction of A-spec single player.

The game was not intended to be a single player game so those who expect it to be will be disappointed.

You certainly got that right.

 

[kdryan]

I think they should have finished the game and worked about 3/4 of the major bugs (have to get a patch to go online?) out of it before they released it instead of worrying about how much money they were going to lose by missing the Christmas rush...