Gran Turismo 5 for PlayStation 3

Hello again PS fans and welcome back to another edition of PlayStation GameZown Mini Reviews, where we take a look into PlayStation 3s Multiplatform, and Exclusive games (Now in Real HD). This time we take a look at a game many have been waiting years for. A game that sets the standard for racing sims each time a new sequel comes out. That game being none other than the incredible Gran Turismo 5.

Gran Turismo 5 is the mother of all racing sims for any console boasting over 1,000 detailed cars that you can customize, upgrade, and race including Rally, Nascar, Kart, and Drift. You race on 20+ tracks with 70+ layouts, or you can create your own tracks with a course maker! All this is delivered in crisp 1080p running at 60 frames per second! It seems the long wait is over and was worth it after all.

In GT5 there are the normal modes you've come to love and expect from the series like A-Spec and B-Spec modes with your Career and Arcade modes. And there are plenty of new things in GT5 being introduced for the first time like real-time car damage, dynamic weather effects, kart racing, NASCAR racing, a Course Maker, online mode, and a beautiful stereoscopic 3D mode as icing on the cake. To sum things up, the game has everything a Gran Turismo fan would expect, and more.

The graphics in GT5 are absolutely beautiful, with 200 premium cars that have more attention and detail done to them than any racing sim on any console, and the new environmental effects like rain, snow and dirt look astonishing to race through! The lighting effects in this game are also jaw dropping with incredible details to everything around you. The few blemishes the game has are found in shadows. Quite a few shadows inside the cars or on the track can be jaggy and distracting from time to time, and I should mention the cars that are not "premium" cars do not have a cockpit view and lack the same detail as the ones that are indeed "premium" cars. However small issues like this are easily overlooked when looking at the grand scale of things that this game offers in the graphics dept, and this game is just an incredible graphical masterpiece to behold for a console racing simulator, especially when viewed in stereoscopic 3D. There just is no comparison.

The soundtrack for GT5 is pretty much top notch, at least in my opinion. I have listened to every track in the game and there weren't very many I didn't like. I'm sure there might have been a few but not many. You can hear a few of the tunes in the game from this video and decide for yourself. GT5 has a pretty wide selection of Jazz, Rock, Alternative, and Techno style music. If you just can't stand ANY of the music in the game, fear not as the game features Custom Soundtracks support!

The sound effects in GT5 are really incredible! From the screeching of the tires as you tear around a corner, to the sound of the engine as you roar down the road. Everything comes together just right and I would give it a perfect score if it weren't for the sound the game has when you collide with another car. That just sounds off to me and I can't get past it. Otherwise it's just perfect for a racing simulator.

The controls in Gran Turismo 5 are some of the most realistic in its league. Hook up a steering wheel to your PS3 and find out what racing is all about. The controls are just perfect in GT5 and you will not find anything that beats it on any console at this point in time. It's simply racing taken to the next level of realism, and at times feels true to life. It might not be for those looking for a Ridge Racer experience, but those who love racing sims and those whom are used to the GT series will feel right at home the second you fire this game up and start to play.

About the video: This video has music "My Chemical Romance" which is owned by WMG, so to make a long story short, enjoy the video until its taken down. :P Lets hope never eh?

Bottom line: GT5 is simply put, a masterpiece for console racing sims and outdoes every other racing sim to date. It features more cars, more tracks, the most realistic weather effects and quite honestly the most realistic driving experience available on any home console. While it is true it has a few blemishes like not having customization of brakes for example, the rest of the game is so massive and incredible that it sets the bar ridiculously high in nearly every other category. It's racing sim heaven and all owners of a PlayStation 3 should be completely satisfied with the game. Fans of the GT series will love the additions and those new to the series will find out for the first time how incredible the Gran Turismo series really is. So sit down, buckle up and put the pedal to the metal. Gran Turismo 5 is finally here!

This game is in 1080p native, has Dual Shock 3 support, Trophy support, Custom Soundtracks, 3D Support, and DTS Surround Sound.