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Nearly every gaming publication has named this "the best racing game made"
or the like, and it's true. I have never seen a game look this good or look so
real in my like. Even Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing has nothing on this. It
looks as if the only racer to beat Gran Turismo is a seqel to Gran Turismo.
Screen shots do not do this game justice. You have to see this game in motion to
see how amazing this game looks. Exquisite detail on cars (so good, you can
actually READ the nameplate on the car), gorgeous courses and many special
effects such as lighting and reflections. Speaking of reflections, your car
reflects anything that is passes, not just some generic effect. I've never seen
a game do this (or do it so well).
The courses look wonderful. Even though I've seen most courses in past GT's,
they look so much better that it's like a whole new course this time around.
I can't see any flaws in the graphics except for minimal pop-up, and it only
pops up a building or a sign, not the course. The draw distance is excellent
and much better than GT2. The only real gripe I have is in the textures. Most
look great, but there's some that makes it look like GT3 is still a game (like
a hillside in Midfield Raceway).
The replays, as always, are excellent. Before I've read that replays in GT2
look like it's brodcasted, but i've never felt that way. In GT3, I do. T
he replays make GT3 look so real, that it does actually look like a racing
brodcast on Speed Channel or the like. It's just unbeliveable.
The gameplay has remained much of the same, but there are more varied
competitions this time around, plus there are options to run in single races or
a whole series for some events, which GT2 lacked. The rally mode returns, but I
wish it was more in-depth. Hopefully we'll see it expanded in GT4, but untill
then, I'll wait for V-Rally 3. There is a new mode, however. GT3 introduces
Formula-1 cars to the mix. While it's only one series, the races are 30 laps
each, which could rival that of EA's F-1 series. There is so much variety in
GT3, it's hard to decide on what to do next, provided you have the licences.
Speaking of licences, those tests are back (again). I'm getting rather sick of
this, since I've had to go through the tests provided in GT and GT2.
Why couldn't I transfer my GT2 licence data into GT3? I had the Super Licence,
and I did not want to do it again. The tests are tougher in this version as well.
Not nearly as bad as GT1's IA Licence tests, but the Super tests here are brutal.
I don't know how many times I lost due to missing the mark by .010. It could be
worse, the physics could be like Vanishing Point's.
Once you do get into the races, the game does become fun, but after ahwile,
you're funds become limited. It took a lot of races just to make enough money to
buy a car. If you don't know which car to choose at first, go for the PT Cruiser.
It's the most powerful for beginners. Once you have enough money, go for the
Camaro SS. Once you start making the money, the game gets better, but GT3 is a
slow start, which may lead some gamers to just give up. Later races give more
money, but the laps are longer and starting in the Amatuer leauge, there's tire
wear. That, to me, is unceccessary. Why should my tires recieve damage in 5 lap
races? Save it for the endurance races. This is probably the most aggrivating
aspect of GT3. I haven't even gotten into the arcade mode. It's much like GT2's
arcade mode, where you can unlock cars depending on difficulty, but GT3's arcade
mode doesn't rely on the licence tests to unlock courses.
The sound is great, and each car has their distinct sound. Music is now
random and not repeating, which is good news for longer courses. Also, you have
control on which songs you want to hear, and the song list is pretty big. Too bad
you don't have control over effects and music. This review has gone too long now.
If what I said has not influenced you to go and get GT3, then I feel sorry for
you. You are missing out on one of the greatest games made with unparalled replay
value. I can't wait until Gran Turismo 4!
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