The transformation of Special Stage Route 5

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I just came across the following video on YouTube and I immediately noticed why I don't really feel Clubman Stage and Special Stage anymore.


In GT4 the track is full of life with flashing signs above the track, spectator stands etc. They generally added some visual spice to the track with every title since the first Gran Turismo game. However, GT5's version feels more like a toned down version of what we first saw in the original Gran Turismo.

Just see how much stuff there is going on through the hairpin in the middle of the track (1:10 in the video). The whole atmosphere is a little cheesy but that's what makes it "Special" compared to other tracks and the sleeping city we got in GT5. The beforementioned hairpin is almost depressing in GT5. A building with a huge GT logo and a few christmas trees are as wild as it gets in GT5. Did they have to trade all this for graphical detail while ensuring stable performance or what could the reason be? Check the video below for a GT5 comparison and let me hear which setting you prefer.

 
I truly know where you and many other people are coming from, but I prefer GT5's calm and not cheesy attitude. It's about preference in what you want to see in a track, and I feel that something that's more simplistic and smooth is what fits GT5's SSR5 to my liking. But coming from somebody that doesn't mind all too much about the style (I just mainly care that the track is there) I would have chosen for PD to have made the old style of SSR5, especially because it's what the majority prefers.

SSR5 is definitely more night time dark as well so I really do prefer the new style to the old. If only more people agreed.
 
I prefer the new SSR5 because of the more realistic tone the lack of spectators gives. It simulates cruising/racing on a highway:tup:.

The old sort of simulates what the Tokyo GP would be like if there were no Suzuka, and there were F1 night races:dunce:
 
I think the sky and the background scenery contributed much to the atmosphere in the older version of SSR5. The newer one feels and looks dull. According to info in the online track selection, the track is run at 21:40, so not that late in the night. Grandstands in the newer version are still there (even in the hairpint) but are empty and not illuminated. I'm ok with no spectators, but the track feels ghostly.

Perhaps there will be another version in the future with a more "GP-like" feel, or some more hints of life on the trackside.
By the way, have you also noticed that Special Stage tracks in GT5 have a " / NIGHT" suffix? Hint for future versions at other times of the day?
 
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I really liked the sunset you could see in GT4. It also had those cranes, and buildings in the background. In GT5 it feels like you're on a very small island in the middle of nowhere...


But nothing will ever top GT3-era SSR11's ferris wheel, that thing would be awesome in HD.
 
GfxJG
Wait, that's the same hairpin?
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For sure, it is. Just no stripes of course.

Midnight Snacks
I really liked the sunset you could see in GT4. It also had those cranes, and buildings in the background. In GT5 it feels like you're on a very small island in the middle of nowhere...


But nothing will ever top GT3-era SSR11's ferris wheel, that thing would be awesome in HD.
Click to expand...
I really agree with that. The sunset in GT4 looks pretty I should say without sounding too feminine. It looks amazing considering it's PS2 graphics, kind of like the graphics of Final Fantasy 8 on the PS1. They made them graphics stay still/idle, but really realistic. I hope people know what I mean if they haven't played FF8.
I always looked at the cranes when I drove on the old version. It was so unique at the time.

SHIRAKAWA Akira
By the way, have you also noticed that Special Stage tracks in GT5 have a " / NIGHT" suffix? Hint for future versions at other times of the day?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't believe so. Reverse tracks have that as well, since they're considered to be a separate or different track to the original tracks that they are. I think this is one of those time where we're hoping too hard.

Just like I'm hoping for cockpit view in standards since the windows have been clearer recently. An explanation I've heard is an obvious one. The windows are clearer because of the suits and helmets. I'm really optimistic though :dopey: haha

Didn't mean to double post. I'll go to my corner now.
 
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The GT4 track is like a street course while the GT5 track is just a bunch of roads. That's what I think. Lots of tracks, GT tracks and world famous ones have a famous hairpin which is where a lot of fans gather. In GT4, Special Stage Route 5 had it, now they don't.:(
 
This sure brings back many fond memories. I like Special Stage 5 but honestly in GT5 it just seems dead and boring compared to the way it looked in GT4. Honestly the game is fantastic but they did mess SS5 up especially when you see a comparison like that.
 
Considering I was very young when GT4 was popular I don't remember that track being like that but I would have to agree with you. 👍
 
The track in GT4 and previous games may have been more well lit, with more visual elements, but i like the GT5 track better it seems more realistic to me. It has sharper turns, better lighting and for me it's more fun to drive on the GT5 track

Nielsen you should add a poll so that we can see which version of the track everyone likes better
 
I just noticed that.. All the special stage routes are supposed to be a highway somewhere in Japan right? Maybe when they were rendering the track for GT4(if it is supposed to be real) ,the highway and all the surrounding area and buildings were still under construction(hence the cranes and buildings) and when they finally rendered it for GT5, all the construction was complete, which is why there is less "scenery" in GT5's version. Just my theory.
 
I prefer the overall finish of the older one. If they could implement the "change time" feature to the current one I think we could all be happier, to actually see a sky there would be kinda nice.

I know I'll get blasted for this comment, but here goes anyway - GT4 was the last time PD gave a damn about making an effort, to fulfil their aim of being "the ultimate driving simulator". It seems with GT5 they just rested on the laurels of their previous success, safe in the knowledge that us true fans of the series would buy it on blind faith, just because it was a Gran Turismo release.
I count myself as a real fan of the series, and own all the major releases, which up to now have all bested their previous outings, but GT5 has taken a step backwards. PS2 (and in some cases PSP) visuals on a PS3?! Unacceptably lazy, would you expect to see Quake 2 guns, without any cleaning up of the graphics, in Call Of Duty!?
 
machate-man
I prefer the new SSR5 because of the more realistic tone the lack of spectators gives. It simulates cruising/racing on a highway:tup:.

The old sort of simulates what the Tokyo GP would be like if there were no Suzuka, and there were F1 night races:dunce:
Click to expand...

There are F1 night races. -Singaporeeeeeeeee-
 

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