Well, I sat down and played a couple of hours last night. It was my first real chance to play (alone). The holidays were busy and other people were fooling around in arcade mode. I managed to gold all the B and A License tests. I also got through the intermediate classes in both karting and nascar. I really have enjoyed both of those modes thus far. Nascar is a blast because it feels so hectic. It sounds strange to say, but I'm really looking forward to some long, tough, oval races. I'm nearly complete with the Beginner Races in A-Spec. This has been the least exciting thus far but I am sure it will perk up.
I have been fooling around with head tracking and I can't say that I am happy with it yet. I'm not sure if it is my setup or not. I have a G27 coupled with a WheelStandPro and I have mounted the playstation eye on the top of the gear shift to the right of the steering wheel. Looking left is very responsive and is enjoyable. However; looking right is not as responsive and I'm beginning to think the EYE needs to be dead 12 O'clock to be most effective. Even if I do managed to concoct some sort of mount at 12 o'clock, I'm not sure if I want that bright blue and red light messing with my "racer vision". As of right now, the EYE is about 2.5 feet away from my head and about 30 degrees from center in case anyone is concerned about a PS Eye mount.
My first real taste of the GT series was GT5P and I while I enjoyed it, it felt so limited that I got bored and quit playing. The online was terrible and there were 5 tracks. Cars are cool, but variety and choices are cooler. GT5, imo, completely eliminates that feeling this go round. There is always something new to go do which is going to make this game a lot of fun for a long time. In fact, I really wish I was home playing right now instead of working.
On the other hand, I'm a little underwhelmed by the graphics. I was sort expecting an upgrade from GT5P and I would most consider GT5 a downgrade in a lot of areas. The shadows are worse, the screen tearing is worse, and the courses look plasticky. The cars look great and I really enjoy all of the weather effects (even the rain) and even the grass effects when running off the road look good. Those I would consider and upgrade. Things like no falling leaves on Autumn Ring is kind of lame. I mean, the PS3 should be able to do this stuff. Petty- I know, but this game took a long time to make and autumn leaves do actually fall. I know it isn't a tree simulator but it is very irritating. I remember a Colin McCrae Xbox game that had fallling leaves and it really polished the course. Sometimes I just question whether they had enough people working on the less important stuff in the game (crowd detail, leaves, etc).
Lastly, the sound is incredible. I'm not sure what type of sound system you guys are using but there are quite a few options available for sounds. I initially thought it was a little absent for a LPCM 7.1 system but then I went and tweaked the setting to a Small Home Theater and 7.1 and then the game started rumbling. It is really cool hearing another car's engine come in from its own discreet channel and gradually make harmony with your own engine. This really the first time I've noticeably made use of my 7.1 setup and it is impressive.
[quote name='iwannadie']I had a hard time with the VW bus race I was getting frustrated but kept at it and eventually got my passing zones down. I was able to brake late and slide right past 1 or 2 at a time in certain spots.[/QUOTE]
I just tried this race once last night and as soon as I saw those cones, I was like
- this is gonna take a while. These things are slow and big.
I'm not enjoying getting used to racing bump free and cone free but I know that in the long run, I will be a lot better racer because of it. This also was a detractor from GT5P; not really learning how to drive. In hindsight; GT5P was probably the worst GT to start with. Oh well. GT5 is here and it is a lot of fun. If anyone wants to add me, my PSN tag is Jugsta. I'm pretty noob but I have a wheel and like to race clean. Thanks for reading this rant.
I have been fooling around with head tracking and I can't say that I am happy with it yet. I'm not sure if it is my setup or not. I have a G27 coupled with a WheelStandPro and I have mounted the playstation eye on the top of the gear shift to the right of the steering wheel. Looking left is very responsive and is enjoyable. However; looking right is not as responsive and I'm beginning to think the EYE needs to be dead 12 O'clock to be most effective. Even if I do managed to concoct some sort of mount at 12 o'clock, I'm not sure if I want that bright blue and red light messing with my "racer vision". As of right now, the EYE is about 2.5 feet away from my head and about 30 degrees from center in case anyone is concerned about a PS Eye mount.
My first real taste of the GT series was GT5P and I while I enjoyed it, it felt so limited that I got bored and quit playing. The online was terrible and there were 5 tracks. Cars are cool, but variety and choices are cooler. GT5, imo, completely eliminates that feeling this go round. There is always something new to go do which is going to make this game a lot of fun for a long time. In fact, I really wish I was home playing right now instead of working.
On the other hand, I'm a little underwhelmed by the graphics. I was sort expecting an upgrade from GT5P and I would most consider GT5 a downgrade in a lot of areas. The shadows are worse, the screen tearing is worse, and the courses look plasticky. The cars look great and I really enjoy all of the weather effects (even the rain) and even the grass effects when running off the road look good. Those I would consider and upgrade. Things like no falling leaves on Autumn Ring is kind of lame. I mean, the PS3 should be able to do this stuff. Petty- I know, but this game took a long time to make and autumn leaves do actually fall. I know it isn't a tree simulator but it is very irritating. I remember a Colin McCrae Xbox game that had fallling leaves and it really polished the course. Sometimes I just question whether they had enough people working on the less important stuff in the game (crowd detail, leaves, etc).
Lastly, the sound is incredible. I'm not sure what type of sound system you guys are using but there are quite a few options available for sounds. I initially thought it was a little absent for a LPCM 7.1 system but then I went and tweaked the setting to a Small Home Theater and 7.1 and then the game started rumbling. It is really cool hearing another car's engine come in from its own discreet channel and gradually make harmony with your own engine. This really the first time I've noticeably made use of my 7.1 setup and it is impressive.
[quote name='iwannadie']I had a hard time with the VW bus race I was getting frustrated but kept at it and eventually got my passing zones down. I was able to brake late and slide right past 1 or 2 at a time in certain spots.[/QUOTE]
I just tried this race once last night and as soon as I saw those cones, I was like

I'm not enjoying getting used to racing bump free and cone free but I know that in the long run, I will be a lot better racer because of it. This also was a detractor from GT5P; not really learning how to drive. In hindsight; GT5P was probably the worst GT to start with. Oh well. GT5 is here and it is a lot of fun. If anyone wants to add me, my PSN tag is Jugsta. I'm pretty noob but I have a wheel and like to race clean. Thanks for reading this rant.