Released: 20010710 Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Developer: Polyphony Digital Genre: Racing

Review by: King_Mightystud

For over a year the powers that be at Sony (blessing be with them) have prophesied this outstanding racing game. It was said that when it was launched it would outperform and overshadow all previous games of its kind. The common people were abuzz, and had been talking enthusiastically (even religiously) about this game at work places, schools and on Internet message boards. Now it has arrived, and the hype is justified.



I have to admit that I was skeptical about this game. After all, how could any game possibly live up to all the hype Gran Turismo 3 got? Well, I’ll tell you how. The developer started off with some of the greatest racing tracks and locations I’ve ever seen. Then they added 150 different cars. Finally, they polished and tweaked the game to such a point that it boggles one’s mind.



Like GT 1 and 2, there is a simulation mode, and an arcade mode (self explanatory). In the simulation mode you use your starting cash to buy a cheaper car, which you then race. There are dozens of races to compete in, and depending on the difficulty, you will be rewarded with a certain amount of money. This money is essential to upgrading your car, and ultimately buying the best cars in the game. There are specialty races for front engine cars, rear/mid cars, four wheel drive cars, and more.



There are five different racing leagues--beginner, amateur, professional, rally, and endurance--and each is made up of anywhere from 20 to 25 racing events. You must meet the licensing requirements before entering a certain league, and believe me, getting the "S" license is no easy task.



The A.I. in this game is increasable. It’s been adjusted in such a way that races are always close (unless you really screw up). Opponents drive realistically, making the game always exciting, and never boring. When you drive at 400 mph it feels like 400 mph. The scenery just zooms by, and control of your vehicle acts accordingly (though control is still possible). There’s no feeling like it!



From the realistic reflections on the shiny surfaces, to the dust trails on a hot desert road, to the headlight glare at night, this game has it all, and then some. In addition to the increasable graphics, special effects, FMV, and outstanding physics engine this game has a killer sound track, which includes hits by Papa Roach, Motley Crue, Jimi Hendrix, Judas Priest, Lenny Kravitz, Raekwon, and Snoop Dogg (who composed a brand-new track specifically for this game called "Dogg’s Turismo 3"). Sound effects, such as screeching tires, engines revving and cars crashing together is also very well done.



No detail went unnoticed. A car will handle differently depending on its weight, tire type, the type of surface you are driving on, your speed, and even wind (yes, wind!). The handling of these cars is just beautiful, and every new racing track you unlock is a truly magnificent feast for the eyes. Once you get the more powerful cars, some of which have 1000 hp and more, these scenes just fly by, as you desperately try and gain a lead over your opponents.



Unlike certain poor quality driving Sims, you certainly can’t just hold down the gas pedal and hope for the best! Every turn must be taken with a delicate touch of the brakes, or a slight feathering of the gas pedal. This is especially true for driving on less than ideal surfaces or with a hopped up car. Truly mastering these turns is an art form, as is the entire game. Proper power sliding can take dozens of hours to halfway master.



At first you will have access only to the cheaper cars, but when you start winning races, you’ll be able to afford upgrades and buy, win, or unlock new cars. For those who aren’t into total racing simulation, there’s the arcade mode, which is just straight driving. This allows for anyone to get into the game right away. There are three modes of difficulty in arcade mode. This game will appeal to all gamers, regardless of skill level.



With Gran Turismo 3: A Spec you can play either the normal split screen mode or link up to six PS2 consoles with the iLink cable. I’ve never done this, and to do it you’d need six PS2s, six TVs, and six copies of GT3, but if anyone can get that stuff together it would be the second most awesome racing experience ever (well actually the game is anyway), short of actually taking part in a real F1 race, with a real car.



The game offers many extra’s, like being able to replay your race in slow motion, running various tests and upgrades on your car, buying from a huge selection of assorted parts, and getting detailed charts on your performance. While most of this stuff has been offered in a racing game before, it has never been offered so well. Details like changing your oil after every race are essential.



It’s true that Gran Turismo 2 had over 4 times more cars, and two of the biggest names in racing, Porsche and Ferrari are missing, but I don’t see this as a huge loss for GT3 (though for some people it is). 150 cars are plenty, and this time around they’ve weeded out a lot of the lower end cars, and now offer more high-end cars. I heard that the reason for the reduced number of cars was due to a licensing problem with the car manufacturers, but it doesn’t matter.



One thing that’s not realistic about this game is the ability to use a collision with another car to help you. That would never work in the real world, but I’ve used this tactic since GT1. In a tight turn, don’t brake, just make sure you use your excess inertia, which would normally send you off the road, to slam in to another car from the side, slowing you both down and giving you a lead over that car. However, this is not always a good substitute for good braking and "drifting" techniques.



Control with the analog is excellent, but I prefer the Logitech steering wheel (any good quality wheel will do). You don’t need it, but I think it adds an extra 10% to an already 120% experience. Everything in this game is so realistic, and smooth. When I play the game for a few hours I get so immersed in it that I lose track of time. When the sun glares on the hood of my Skyline GTR R34 V-specII, I can almost feel it. When tires screech I can almost smell it. After a particularly grueling race I can feel my heart pounding and my palms sweating. This is what I live for as a gamer! You must get this game!



So hear me well all ye faithful racing fans. Get thee themselves to thy nearest video games retailers. Locate this masterpiece, and hold it carefully as you make the pilgrimage to the holy person standing at the alter (also known as the sales person at the cash register). Hand him thy donation, and rejoice, for you may now journey home with the light of excellence.



So it was prophesied, so it is written, and so it shall be done. Amen.

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