Totally agree.

"Tim O" > wrote in message
...
>
> 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