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Gran Turismo 5 Prologue launches at a very turbulent time for
our industry, and brings with it many questions for the videogame
consumer. Available both on disc and in download format, and being
only a precursor to SONY and Polyphony Digital’s highly
 anticipated
Gran Turismo 5 – due in 2009 – the title asks not only how
the consumer would prefer to digest such a product, but also,
exactly how much the consumer is willing to pay for how much
content?
The title begins with an annoyance born into console gaming with the
PLAYSTATION3; the Installation of the software is expected – the
length of the process, however, would easily put many bystanders off
before any actually gameplay has been sampled. Once in, the game
asks you to purchase your first car before immediately handing you
several options. It’s unusual for the series to provide such space
when beginning; yet Car Class races, Arcade Mode and even online
play are available from the very start.
Saying that
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue’s content is limited is a
byway of addressing the fact that it’s technically only a taster of
the real game. However, featuring over seventy fully-modelled cars,
six beautifully detailed tracks and full online play, the title is
easily comparable to its peers – including the earlier releases in
the series. The car handling is on par with
Forza Motorsport 2. A highly-acclaimed stake with which any
Gran Turismo release did really have to accomplish in order
to be recognised by the critics, but one which every previous
showcase of the Gran Turismo franchise on PLAYSTATION3 has
failed to achieve. The tracks are limited, with one in particular
being a not-all-too-refreshing Test Track; but none-the-less offer
enough variety and pleasant views to warrant a comparison with many
other already released Racing games.
The online aspect is comparable to Nintendo’s recent offering on Wii
such as Mario Kart Wii. Although fairly anonymous, (unless
you already know someone with game) the title remains fluid and
completely without latency issues. Thrillingly tight and competitive
races can be found frequently, and the online rewards too are great.
As with
 the promise that Save Data from
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
will be compatible with Gran Turismo 5, Polyphony Digital
have complimented the online aspect of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
by allowing money earned in Multi-Player to be added to you overall
bankroll; a feature that will no doubt extend the title’s online
longevity and reward players from their first Ranked Match to their
last, no matter how new to the game.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a stunning looking game. Even as
just an eye-opener for the full title, the package is slick and
presented with a gloss coat. On par with Forza Motorsport 2 –
one of the Xbox360’s best looking titles – Gran Turismo 5
Prologue help to usher in a new standard for Current-Generation
Racing games. The soundtrack is as flamboyant as fans have become to
expect of the series. Filling it’s loins with SONY Music’s back
catalogue, and doing it with a cheeky grin, simply no game has this
much variety, and there truly is something on here for everyone.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue defies its critics, and
offers a rewarding and outstandingly presented package fit enough to
rival any Racing title released on PLAYSTATION3 thus far.
With the only real competition in the field of direct-driving
simulation on the Current-Generation being the mighty
Forza
Motorsport 2, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue sits snugly in
second place, but the odds are firmly stacked in its’ bigger
brothers’ favour.
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