Digital Foundry pops the hood on Gran Turismo 5

by David Hinkle on Nov 29th 2010 8:45PM

Interested in pages of thorough analysis on the technical proficiency of Gran Turismo 5? Of course you are! We all want to see how GT5 compares to previous entries of the franchise and learn about the game's other neat features -- including 3D integration and head-tracking through PlayStation Eye.

DigitalFoundry once again did its due diligence and broke down Polyphony Digital's latest in the only way it knows how: through extensive testing. While the massive tech report is best left read in full, we will offer a brief summary for all of you aspiring turismoers out there: basically, Gran Turismo 5 is quite the feat ... but you already knew that, right?

Source: DigitalFoundry

Tags: digital-foundry, digitalfoundry, Gran-Turismo-5, playstation, polyphony-digital, ps3, sony

Reader Comments (39)

Gran Turismo 5 looks great. but it's not as good as GT4 was on the PS2. What I mean is that it definitely isn't pushing the PS3 as far as GT4 pushed the PS2.

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

It's amazing how good GT4 was, considering the hardware. It still looks better than many racers sold today.

GT5 looks much better, but you're probably right.

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

I feel that even though this game is the culmination of six years of development, it is still very much the "launch" GT.

Like GT 3 and 1 before it, I think that the next iteration on the PS3 is gonna be more refined, and delicious. If GT5, 3, and 1 were the revolutionary games, the amazing GT4 and 2 (and soon enough, 6) are the natural evolutionary games that define real driving simulator and elevate the series in our hearts.

I'm not sure how the cars and tracks could look any MORE realistic!
The character animation on the other hand... *throws up*

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2
You clearly don't have a FullHD capable set.

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

there is a reason for that.....GT6 will do that...and it will be out by 2012 or 2013....which is still going to be PS3 gen....

they HAD to leave room for improvement...

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

So you do not think that the game is as good as GT4 because it does not push the PS3 to its limits? That's not really a good reason to say the game is not good. So far I am loving it. Can I tell that it is or is not pushing the limits of the PS3, no. Do I care....No.

@theangryheretic

Did I say anything close to that? I'm just talking about graphics.

@Indefinite Implosion

"The character animation on the other hand... *throws up* "

LOL

It doesn't look bad at all in the cars, but I know what you're talking about. Jeff Gordon's school of Nascar would be a lot better if he was wearing a helmet covering his lame facial animation.

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

I respect your opinion but I disagree.

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

Dude. If they had to leave room for improvement, wouldn't the game run at a perfect 60fps?

They will learn how how to make things appear to look better. They want to keep the high res, high framerate and have 16 cars on screen.

Also the game has to render the shadows realtime in 16ms, which explains the blocky shadows, 30fps games can render that at twice the time.

I've been too busy playing this game to read reviews, but what's shocked me is how relentless it is.

I love this game, but it's not catering to those who want to see the entire game in less than dozens of hours of gameplay . I imagine lots of gamers have realized they really prefer something much easier to access.

The game's drawing me back... I suspect whatever flamewars there are about this game will be very one sided because people who do have a taste for this game are going to be obsessing over it rather than debating.

I think this game still looks fantastic. Spent many hours playing it, and will spend many more hours playing it.

@TheKevinButler

You also spent a lot of time stealing that SLS AMG.

You can race Priuses in this game? That's pretty insane.

@DBuckEye

Ya you can even see them getting built in the beginning video :)

@TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2

I feel that even though this game is the culmination of six years of development, it is still very much the "launch" GT.

Like GT 3 and 1 before it, I think that the next iteration on the PS3 is gonna be more refined, and delicious. If GT5, 3, and 1 were the revolutionary games, the amazing GT4 and 2 (and soon enough, 6) are the natural evolutionary games that define real driving simulator and elevate the series in our hearts.

someone please tell me that those are not ingame graphics? that looks like real life....

@(Unverified)

GT5 doesn't always look truly photo realistic, but it's amazing sometimes.

i think i was playing it wrong...
it seems like you constantly need to buy new cars that arn't avaiable (can't buy new,and you cant find them used, or at least the one you want).
and certain races, like the yaris one, you can't win unless you've got the fastest model, otherwise they catch you on the straights.

Im hoping im wrong

@AMH

I'm also getting a similar vibe like for instance the Italian cup, or the 70's - 80's Japanese Cup, which after checking the new and used dealers could not find a car that could compete.
About the Yaris/Vitz Cup, I used one that I got as a reward from another cup with small mods (flywheel/exhaust, etc) and was able to make it by passing on the corners.

Loving the game so far! >:D

@bunnyraven

how do you mod?
yes Im new to GT
but I couldn't find anything that would allow me to do such a thing. the garage said i couldn't update it, and i couldn't tune anything.
I really feel like Im missing something, it could be a good game, but its a pain in the ass too.

@DigitalFortress
Actually they were too busy playing the game to care about some article. Joystiq did them a favor since right now is probably when they are taking their first refreshment break.

OH, the tuning shop is different from tune car.
thats clear as mud.
shit why can't this all be in the garage..

@AMH

It's really not that complicated. My 8 year old niece has been configuring my M coupe. There are a few paces you have to become familiar with for various tuning, but after a few times, it's easy to remember. I'm not sure why GT Auto and the upgrade store are separated, but it's not a major flaw.

If you can't buy the car you want yet, you need to level up. I think one of the easiest ways to do that is to get licenses (beyond the bronze level). The game isn't easy.

GT5 is like the Demon's Souls of racers.

BTW, there are several races you can win even though you aren't the fastest car on the straights. Just keep working at it. Abandon some races if you can't compete in them yet... you can just come back later and it's not like there's a shortage of other races. After a few months, you'll probably be much more capable and enjoy your development.

@DigitalFortress

Not me, first I've read of it. I've been too busy actually playing the game to read something telling me about what it looks like.

Looks good. AI still dumber than bottom of my shoes. I can't convince myself to get this game and I ended up buying Fallout 3 New Vegas and Red Dead Redemption.

@huffhuffhuff

You are judging a game that you don't even own? Hmm... GT5 is amazing. You are missing out.

Nice pick up on Red Dead though.

@golfs4panzys I've seen a BUNCH of game footage plus read numerous reviews that point out how lifeless the Ai cars move about the track. Not to mention the infamous GT "Bounce" For the win...

Um, it's 2010.

@huffhuffhuff

As you get more experience in the game the AI gets tougher and more challenging. Play the game, get to a high level 30-40, and let's talk again.

@huffhuffhuff

The AI in GT5 is awesome.

You're just repeating a meme. In B-Spec you can actually monitor the AI in other cars. You can see the changing mental fatigue, physical strength, and attitude. There are several other factors to each AI.

As the other guy said, you have to level up before you face brilliant AI competitors, but it's very good even from the beginning. This is realistic. You're not going to find Mario Andretti and Michael Schumacher on the beginner level Sunday cup driving a Honda Civic.

Other racers do not bother to go into this kind of detail and use cheap tricks for AI, but GT5 really uped its game.

Um, no one sees a problem with unlocking or reaching a certain level to get full vehicle damage??

Wow.

Racing Priuses at a top sped of 112mph??

Wow.

Yeah, I think I'll stop there.

@StarcasM

The Prius, for a car with under 100 horsepower, actually can book it pretty well. Don't think that just because most Prius drivers stick in the right lane and drive like grandmas that it's a slouch. It's no MINI S or anything, but I could see how by adding performance parts, and giving it a really good tune it could amount to an interesting race vehicle.

At the very least, you wouldn't have to pit as much...

As far as your other points, it supposed to ease you into the game. The last thing you want to give new drivers who don't understand how to drive these cars properly is a car that'll break apart while they're still in the "using guardrails to go around corners" or "ram your car into another car during a turn to corner" stages.

@StarcasM

It's a challenge. IF you want a game that take a lot of work to excel at, GT5 is for you. If you demand all features open up to you quickly, it is not for you.

This is a matter of taste, but video games have often required a lot of work to unlock something cool and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm loving it.

Priuses don't interest me and I'm not racing them, but if you're really surprised that one can reach that unimpressive speed, you're just a neophyte when it comes to racing.

Great game can't wait to get to lvl 20 then40 ;)

@huffhuffhuff

As you get more experience in the game the AI gets tougher and more challenging. Play the game, get to a high level 30-40, and let's talk again.

I love this game to pieces but the shading effects are so horribly done I couldn't believe they released it as is. You have these beautiful premium model cars that suddenly look like garbage at the starting line because of all these jagged shadows flickering all over them. It would have been less distracting to just not have shadows on them at all, and if you think about it that wouldn't be any less realistic than flickering jagged shadows, which I've never seen in real life either. Hope that's one of the things that can be improved on for GT6.

@davebo

I love the game too, and that's one of my little gripes.

GT5 isn't absolutely perfect by any stretch. It's just an awesome game. For the price, it's freaking excellent.

Gran Turismo 5

Digital Foundry pops the hood on Gran Turismo 5

Reader Comments (39)

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:09PM TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2 said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:19PM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:42PM PreGHz said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:54PM Indefinite Implosion said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:29PM eNriqeu said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:42PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 9:20AM theangryheretic said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 1:44PM TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2 said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 3:28PM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 4:57PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 9:50PM Rauland said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:14PM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:29PM FakeKevinButler said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:50PM SnorlaxTheSerialKiller said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:34PM DBuckEye said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 11:54PM KinseySS said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 11:54PM KinseySS said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:41PM PreGHz said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:42PM HedonisticKai said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:46PM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 9:54PM AMH said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:09PM bunnyraven said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:14PM AMH said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:24PM Dao Jones said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:24PM AMH said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 11:44AM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:25PM Lekko said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 10:44PM huffhuffhuff said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 11:26PM golfs4panzys said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 11:34PM StarcasM said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 4:11AM ptcamn said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 11:47AM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 29th 2010 11:30PM StarcasM said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 1:48AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 11:56AM Dustin F said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 1:58AM Contra48 said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 4:14AM ptcamn said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 11:12AM davebo said

Posted: Nov 30th 2010 12:00PM Dustin F said

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