Gran Turismo PSP

[Lazlow]

Well its getting reviewed and its apparently average. Visually its "very good", but not the best seen on the system, which for something that's supposedly been in development as long as it has, is rather disappointing. The lack of analog inputs for accelerator and brake appears to be compensated by some sort of assist system;

The analog controls from the consoles, particularly for the acceleration and brakes, have been nicely transferred over to the PSP. In many cases, were you to slam on the gas in any of the console releases, you'd get a taste of excessive amounts of wheel spin and fishtailing, while slamming your foot (or finger, as it were) down on the brakes at the wrong time could give you similar results. In both of these cases, Gran Turismo subtly compensates for this and gives you just enough assistance to keep the digital inputs from ruining your race. It's a rather transparent difference in that I had to actually sit back and think about how it compares to the console variants, which I think is great.

The AI is the usual stiff GT competition, with them sticking to the line and going about their own business. Only 4 cars on track at at time, which also carries over into the Ad-hoc multiplayer. No online options at all.

But the one thing that really kills the game apparently, is the lack of purpose. Once you complete an introductory set of trials (usual license test shit), that's it;

There's no career mode to speak of. just Single Race, Time Trial and Drift Trial options, for which you pick a car and a track and then have at it, without any structured progression or notable unlocks...

I wasn't keen on this game to begin with, and nothing so far has convinced me to give it even half a go.

[Blue]

I'd say that the long development time has probably contributed to the lacklustre (by GT standards) graphics, thanks to a dated engine.

[Stevorooni]

In a way I'm glad it's average, I'll probably still buy it one day but now I have an excuse to wait until it's in the bargain pile.

[Ezri]

I grabbed it today - despite the average reviews. GAME had it on special for $49, and I traded in some games on it so it essentially cost me nothing anyway.

I was initially pretty pissed off about the lack of a career mode, but I have kind of realised that I don't care so much. At the end of the day, the PSP is a handheld system that I can just pick up and play, have some fun with and put away whenever necessary. So I can overlook this one (albeit pretty BIG) oversight and enjoy what the game has to offer.

The physics appear pretty spot on (well, as spot on as possible with digital controls). Sony says it uses the GT5 engine, but honestly, it feels more like a refined (perhaps slightly simplified) GT4 engine. Plenty of cars, plenty of tracks (some odd musical selection however) and I've been enjoying just buying a car and racing it - and the driving challenges are always there for some sense of completion when I feel like it.

If I want a fully fledged Gran Turismo title, I will play GT4 or wait for GT5 to come out - or more accurately, play Forza 2 because it's just better.

As is it, GT PSP will be a good way to pass the hours on my interminably long and dull weekend shifts. It's not the be all, end all handheld racing sim (although, what competition does it have) - but as I said, who cares? Do we really want a Forza 2/GT5 level of detail in a handheld racer?

It doesn't do a lot, but what it does do, it does very well.

[Lazlow]

Do we really want a Forza 2/GT5 level of detail in a handheld racer?

If the system is capable of providing accurate control over the car, then yes.

[Ezri]

If the system is capable of providing accurate control over the car, then yes.

Well, I would argue that the PSP's largely digital control interface and analogue nub-stick are never going to provide that.

Also, I would rather play a proper racing sim with a decent control method (e.g. my Logitech G25 wheel) on my high def 32" LCD screen.

The PSP cannot provide this, so a cut down experience is both suitable and welcome to me on a handheld.

If I have got time to sit down with a game, it's not going to be on a handheld system, it's going to be in front of the TV.

[Lazlow]

Diff'rent strokes....

[Ezri]

'tis true!

[Rypien GT]

Ezri wrote -
"Also, I would rather play a proper racing sim with a decent control method (e.g. my Logitech G25 wheel) on my high def 32" LCD screen."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0FRTsCCA7w&feature=player_embedded
Bit of a gimmick, but its cool that someone has done it :)

I think PD really pushed the PSP version as a bit of an Ad-hoc thing. Something to pick up and play for a bit of simple fun. When the PSP gets cheaper i will probably pick one up.

[SOX]

I think PD really pushed the PSP version as a bit of an Ad-hoc thing. Something to pick up and play for a bit of simple fun. When the PSP gets cheaper i will probably pick one up.

Yeah I saw some video on IGN where one of the guys from PD was pushing that aspect of it. But in the whole time I've had my PSP not once had I ever played ad-hoc with anyone...

Just the idea of it being convenient, baffles me. You gotta organise to meet up with a mate with a PSP (my first hurdle) and then you both have to have copies of it. It's just not something that happens :/

[Rypien GT]

Yeah, i suppose. Would be a bit of a hassle having to line up 4 guys all with PSP's and 4 copies of the game. Probably easier to get a full blown LAN up and running if you had the need to play with mates.

Does the PSP support any sort of online matchmaking?

[FX-GTZ]

Bought GT today for $54, its handling is pretty good when your using d-pad, but i do have one complaint about the cars themselves, the windows are blocky and arent very smooth compared to how you normally see it, Ridge Racer 2 and Colin Mcrae Rally Plus+ even have better windows, but thats the only thing i dislike about GT so far, the racing is good, sucks how there is no career mode, even though they tried to make it feel like it was intergrated into the main menu selection.

[Ezri]

I found Colin McRae Rally on the PSP an amazing technical achievement but it was wholly unplayable on the PSP due to the analogue nub - and the d-pad just didn't cut it either.

It's like they developed the game with a regular dual-shock joystick in mind and then just straight mapped it to the PSP's nub.

Ridge Racer is imo how you do a racer on the PSP (although I never picked up 2 as it seem practically identical to the first).

[MacGuyver]

I got this recently and although I think it's a pretty good game so far I really don't like the random car dealerships. I never know whether to hold out for a car that I'd really like or just to buy something that's on offer at the time which I might be somewhat interested in. And what if that car I've been really after turns up, but I don't have the coin for it at the time?

Also there seems to be a few odd omissions in the car selection list, like Mitsubishi Evo X, 370Z or the new Camaro.

[Space_Monkey]

What on earth was the logic behind the rotating car manufactors?

I can't see how it's realistic and it seems like a pain in the ass.

Is it possible to cheat and speed up in the PSPs interal clock to make the game think a day has passed? Or is it based on an in game clock?

[MacGuyver]

I haven't figured that out yet, but it would be cool if you could do that! I seemed to think though that the cars on offer changed after every race or so. I guess if this is true you could do a race, quit out, have a look at the cars and if you don't like what you see then race again!

I also don't know yet if the line up of cars within each manufacturer can change but I'm guessing they do as I've noticed cars being absent from certain manufacturers offerings even though I know they're in the game. Kind of like how GT1 and GT2 had a constantly changing second hand car listing.

Something that I did think was cool about this game was how it displays the time from the PSP's internal clock on the HUD in game. That way I can easily keep an eye on the real time while I'm racing!

[Space_Monkey]

Alright here's my list of issues with Gran Turismo on the PSP.

My biggest beef is that the loading times are excruciatingly long, there seems to be a loading screen between everything and the disc really churns and whines whilst the GT symbol shines silver. For a game that's been touted for it's pick up and play abilities, it's a shame. Considering how I've been spoilt with smooth menus and loading times this gen it really feels archaic.

The graphics took more than a little getting used to, having pumped days into Gran Turismo 4 and GT5: Prologue they are really below par. Sure it's the limitations of the system but Gran Turismo has always wowed in the graphics department and it's a major let down to see so many jaggy edges and poor lighting effects.

The rotating manufactures is dumb, unnecessary and irritating.

Overall it feels like a watered down Gran Turismo port rather than a fully fledged entry in the series. It's not close to being in the same league as GT4 and its not a good look considering that was out around four years ago and now is $25 cheaper than GT: PSP.

Despite all of the above I'm enjoying Gran Turismo PSP simply because A. it's Gran Turismo and B. it's on a handheld.

The good cars/tracks/engine sounds/physics and driving mechanics are Gran Turismo spot on and you can play it on the train or under the sheets or on the couch.

Joy! :)

[Creedy]

Guess you could say as a bonus any car you have in GT PSP can be transferred to GT5.

[Space_Monkey]

Guess you could say as a bonus any car you have in GT PSP can be transferred to GT5.

That's a real plus.

[Lazlow]

Overall it feels like a watered down Gran Turismo port rather than a fully fledged entry in the series.

I'm surprised people thought it would be anything more. >_>

[Space_Monkey]

Maybe I'm a bit of car noob but is there any reason for lowering your cars BHP and raising its weight?

Surely more power and less weight equals a faster car meaning a better racing car.

Enjoying the Rally Stages at the moment easily the best track visually is the canyon track, pretty incredible for a handheld.

[Revoltix]

Maybe I'm a bit of car noob but is there any reason for lowering your cars BHP and raising its weight?

Surely more power and less weight equals a faster car meaning a better racing car.

Enjoying the Rally Stages at the moment easily the best track visually is the canyon track, pretty incredible for a handheld.

I'm not sure where you're getting your info from, but usually you increase your BHP and lower the weight of your car. Increase your power to weight ratio!