OK, it was inevitable that I was getting this for Christmas. I figured
I would post a follow-up to some of my original comments and how this
game compares the GT5 Prologue.

I've been busy due to the holidays, so I've only spent about 2 hours
on the game, spread across the license tests, campaign and arcade
modes. I probably logged 20+ hours in Prologue.

First, everything I said about the AI still seems to be relevant in
the final version. The AI run their race lines and the only time they
even acknowledge your existence is when they try to overtake.
The good thing about this is that they're at least predictable, the
bad is that it tends to make the single player racing feel rather
soul-less.

I played through the A and B spec license tests. Anyone who has played
Live For Speed or many others will find these familiar. They are tasks
like braking and hitting apex's that are also timed events and you get
a bronze, silver or gold cup depending on that time.
They start very simple then keep stacking the tasks to build on them,
usually winding up running a lap against AI. They are quick and fun,
though some seem really hard to get Gold medals on (I'm using regular
PS controller, not a wheel).

In the arcade and campaign modes, I've found that bumping and blocking
is still the order of the day for success. This to me is the main
weakness of the game. You always start mid pack, and the easiest way
to get to the front is to take advantage of the on-rails AI, bump and
squeeze through in the first turn, then block the cars that are faster
than you. Its total arcade tactics. The damage model seems negligible,
despite a 608 meg patch that reportedly adds to it. I didn't play it
before the patch, but all I can say is that there isn't much to it
after.

As much as I'm complaining, I am actually having a decent time with
the game. The sheer number of cars is pretty cool and they have some
varied events to play with them all. There are races for front wheel
drive only, different vintage cars and different vintage and country
or origin. I also gotta say that some of the sound is really cool. I
have it hooked up to my surround system and this game actually used
DTS for my by default. The ambient music, transitions and game itself
all make fantastic use of the rear channels.

The one downer to this is that most of the cars seem to have a very
synthesized engine sound. I read that they recorded a lot of actual
audio for the cars, but its not very evident on the ones I've played
so far.

The setup of my living room really doesn't afford me a place to
reasonably use a wheel/pedals. The one way around this would be to get
one of the metal framed racing seats and sit it there in front of the
TV. The family already have a closet full of plastic drums and
guitars, so storage of one of those just isn't feasible.

I say, if you already have a PS3 and enjoy arcade racers, this is
probably worth a shot. Don't buy a console and wheel just to play it.
The "simulator" hype still far exceeds the reality.

Tim