The PlayStation 3-exclusive Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is available at either retail stores or available for purchase and a 1.87GB download at the PlayStation Store for a price of $39.99 / £24.99 / €39.99. The download is so much smaller than the retail version, because you won’t be loading any cinematics until you choose to play them in-game via the GT TV, once you do they’ll be downloaded from the server. The Blu-Ray disc version however will give gamers some extra incentives including a behind-the-scenes High Definition video feature called “Beyond the Apex”.
System: PS3
Genre: Racing
Release dates: December 13th 2007 (JPN), March 27th 2008 (AUS), March 28th 2008 (EURO), April 17th 2008 (USA)
Players: 1-2 (2-16 online)
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer: Kazunori Yamauchi
Origin: Japan
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, is the precursor to Gran Turismo 5 and features over 70 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Audi, Lotus, Mitsubishi and Nissan. You’ll experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. There’s also all-new driving physics for the most lifelike driving experience ever and new, improved opponent artificial intelligence for a tougher race challenge, even if they rarely go away from the ideal driving line to take you on.
Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online — at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway and a London City track. It comes with crisp, realistic lighting effects (replays rendered in 1080p at 30fps).
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue also features various innovative modes to harness PS3 system’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community. Among them is Gran Turismo TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from the Playstation Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support online racing events to foster community competition. A new in-cockpit view
will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges (speedometers and odometers) and human animations (including casting of the driver’s shadows) that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle. To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DualShock 3 controller, which has vibration functionality.
Watch the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue intro.
Click on the bottom-right corner arrow to view it fullscreen.
What are Gran Turismo 5 Prologue’s main features?
* The first ever Gran Turismo title with online racing: drive online against up to 16 other Gran Turismo aces.
* Race a total of over 40 stunning, high-performance cars.
* Race on seriously realistic, real life tracks including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka – then race them in reverse and with alternative routes.
* All-new physics engine means true next-generation vehicle handling.
* All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting race experience.
* Access to Gran Turismo TV: a world of great motoring TV programming online.
* Online Dealership: Access to car manufacturers online.
* My Garage – a personalized homepage feature with friends, chat and personal game records.
* Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tyres, suspension and more.
* All in stunning High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps).
Additional content included with the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Spec II version/patch:
* 1 circuit (High Speed Ring available in Normal and Reverse layout).
* 4 automakers (Aston Martin, Citroën, Jaguar, MINI).
* 5 tuners (Amuse, Art Morrison, Blitz, Mine’s and Polyphony Digital as “Concept by Gran Turismo”).
* 22 stock cars.
* 12 Tuned cars.
* 8 Event Races (2 per class).
* 2P Battle mode (offline splitscreen).
* Drift Trial mode (returning from Gran Turismo HD Concept).
* Free Run mode.
* Driving Line feature.
* Quick Tune feature.
* Performance Point (PP) system.
* Real time adjustment (4WD, ABS, ASM, Brake balance and TCS).
* 1 GT-TV video (“Top Gear” series 6 episode 1).
Already announced updates coming later in 2008:
* Vehicle deformation (damage modeling) will be added.
* In-game voice chat between players to build community.
* More cars and courses, so that by the time Gran Turismo 5 is out, Prologue will have equal content.
Watch Gran Turismo 5 Prologue’s multiplayer online gameplay.
As a conclusion let’s rate Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on its fun-basis.
FUN FACTOR – 8.0
While this racing simulator may be the Prologue to Gran Turismo 5, the Spec II version comes feature-packed with 16-player online races, over 70 cars (including tuned cars), 6 tracks, 12 layouts, 60fps (during races), 30fps (during replays), full HD 1080p and LPCM 7.1 channel high definition sound. CPU opponents respond well to your presence in the single players events and quick arcade races. Local- and online multiplayer adds a lot of challenge (global online rankings anyone?) and replay value to the package. The dedicated online channel Gran Turismo TV is another fun addition to a game already completely geared at car fanatics. And let’s be honest if you are one of those car fans, you don’t need any review to tell you this Prologue will look, sound and control every bit as fantastic as the previous games in the series. But if you do, well it’s better actually.
Graphics – 9.5
It’s the most beautiful driving simulator you’ve ever seen on a 1080p HD TV. The amount of detail put into each car is insane. The vehicle models, the tracks and the lighting on them create extremely realistic visuals that are the game’s strong points. The new cockpit view brings out even more graphic detail and the camera angels during replays are the icing on a delicious cake.
Audio – 8.5
The soundtrack is does a great job of immersing you in the moment, and of course includes the famous “Moon Over The Castle” theme song from the Gran Turismo series. Sound effects like those of the engines are superb, very realistic sounding for each car, especially with a dolby surround set. The engine also sounds different according to which view is selected among the available four. In short, you’ll be in car-heaven.
Ingenuity – 8.5
While Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is compatible with the DualShock 3 controller for rumble feedback, there’s no Sixaxis motion sensor option included to control your cars with like a steering while. It’s a shame, because this would’ve been a great addition, but now you’re forced to buy and hook up a (GT Force) Racing Wheel to get that full drivers feeling, especially in the cockpit. Still, the standard PS3 controllers give access to the ultimate driving simulation experience available on the market right now. The lack of damage on the cars should be corrected later in 2008. Hopefully the creators will also patch the lack of slowdown after cars hit the metal sides of the track or another car, as right now you’ll find some online players abusing this ‘bouncing off’ bug to speed past you on the time trail scoreboards. In the end you can’t resist the challenge Prologue offers with its choice between standard and professional physics handling and the way the races are incredibly fine-tuned. While I’ve never driven any of these fancy cars (which I suppose is the point of me getting the game) it comes off as having extremely realistic gameplay. Well done Polyphony Digital.
Replay Value – 7.5
If you’re into Gran Turismo you’ll love what the game has to offer no matter what anyone says. Expect the single player (the meat of the game) to take you about eight hours of racing through all 30 A-C class events, after which you’ll unlock the ability to tune cars and drive them on 10 more S-class races. Sadly the event requirements are up and down and will often lead you to a dead end, meaning you’ll be buying a car to complete an event, only to find out you bought the wrong version of the car. This is a result of the old-fashioned menu structure. So don’t make that mistake and go through all the sub-menus before spending your credits. I’m also not too pleased about there being only six tracks throughout that experience, even if you can play them in reverse as well. With that said, I’ve been playing it for over two weeks now and I’d expect the average fan to get many more weeks of fun out of the title thanks to the addition of online multiplayer.
As for multiplayer, even without the cockpit mode in the offline splitscreen battle mode you’ll still find yourself enjoying a race against a friend. If you’ve got a broadband connection, another great addition is the online multiplayer for up to 16 players to go head-to-head on some of the world’s best racetracks. It’s a shame online multiplayer is held back by the lack of friend list, match making, custom race support, photo mode and the long loading times. Aside from the Online Dealership option to play with, the Global Online Rankings and the My Garage homepage features will leave the world in no doubt as to just who is the best at Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, at least until Gran Turismo 5 drifts around the corner.