 Preview By: Andrew Joy |
Developer: | Polyphony Digital |
| Publisher: | SCEA | |
| Genre: | Demo | |
| ESRB: | Everyone | |
| # Of Players: | 1 | |
| Online Play: | No | |
| Accessories: | Limited time demo from PS Store | |
| Estimated Release: | Winter 2007 |
[Since this preview was originally published, we first learned that two Gran Turismo titles would be released: micro-transaction heavy Gran Turismo HD and Gran Turismo 5. Then Sony's planned changed again, essentially cancelling the former in favor of Gran Turismo HD Concept - a tech demo for Gran Turismo 5 released on 12/24/06.]
For long-time PlayStation owners and fans (the kind that own the original PlayStation, the PS2, the PSP and have every intention of buying the PS3), a series like Gran Turismo needs no introduction...so I offer none.
However, there is only so much originality to be had in racing games, and of course we are talking about a genre that has sequels coming out the tailpipe. That said, I think it is worth mentioning that, in a genre where if you've played one, you've played almost all, the original Gran Turismo became the best selling PlayStation game ever made primarily on it's realistic approach to racing. In fact, reality has always been a large part of the Gran Turismo series. Apart from the ability to performance-tune your vehicles and the ever-improving graphics, GT2 had close to 650 licensed cars, while in GT3 your cars' performance degraded without regular maintenance. Vision Gran Turismo is aiming to be, by far, the pinnacle of the series, offering around 700 vehicles, over 50 tracks, improved graphics, physics, etc.
Naturally, being a next-gen game, the fifth installment in the series is expected to have a variety of improvements befitting the technology and, of course, Sony's vision of the future. As you can see from the "target" screenshots, we are already seeing great strides towards the photo-realistic graphics promised of the HD-era. Improvements to the physics of the series are also expected, with Polyphony Digital president Kazunori Yamauchi prophesizing lifelike real-time damage to the cars. With online play becoming a larger part of the next generation of video gaming, Vision Gran Turismo should be the first in the series to offer online play as well.
While early signs, including a list of potential launch titles on Sony Japan's website (which was later pulled), have indicated that Vision Gran Turismo may be a PS3 launch title, this one has a good chance of becoming another Sony success story no matter when it is released. For the latest of Vision Gran Turismo, including screenshots and developing details, be sure to check back at Video Game Generation often.
Posted: 2006-02-02 12:25:04PST