New model or extra spoiler? (Gran Turismo Concept (PS2))

Member Name: pbyron

Product:	Gran Turismo Concept (PS2)
Date:	10/02/03 (575 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Better Graphics, Newer Models, Budget price

Disadvantages: Not that much different

I could have started this review by copying my Gran Turismo 3 review, deleting the detailed description at the beginning and leaving you with the juicy parts, all tarted up and with new words. Why? Well, that basically describes what GT Concept is all about.

History
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First, let me describe the Gran Turismo games. These games started on Sony's first console, the original Playstation, and took the racing game world by storm. Never before had so much detail gone in to the graphics, the handling and the customisation of the cars. It was the first time you could spend hours tinkering with a car for a race, only to buy another one for your garage with the winnings. There were hundreds of badged models to collect and each game was better than the last. Gran Turismo 3, being the first of the series to appear on the PS2, was even more of a graphical dream than the last 2 games.

GT New Concept?
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So where does that leave our newest title in the famous range? Well, GT Concept is almost like a middle ground between Gran Turismo 3 and the next full blown instalment of the series, but don’t let that put you off. The GT games have a pedigree that most Cruft’s winners would be envious of, and the latest game is no exception, using the same basic model as its older brother but changing the rules slightly to give a whole new driving experience.

The game, for those who have never seen or played a GT game before, is all about collecting cars. You start with a selection of cars already picked, which you can race on any number of tracks. This in turn will win you more cars and access to more tracks, both standard circuits and rally tracks, but you can also take ‘licence’ tests which will hone your driving skills and give you a chance to win yet more cars. The best thing about these games is that there are always plenty of cars and tracks to choose from, and racing on them is an absolute dream, s
o expect lots of replay value, even when you have the full set of cars.

So what else is new?
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Concept, as it’s name suggests, showcases over 100 new concept cars from several motor shows. Some of these are pretty way-out, like the Sony-Toyota smart car (which smiles when it is happy, no really!) others you might recognise on the road, such as the new Mini Cooper S. All of these handle differently, with different power ratios, turning etc. There are plenty of tracks to choose from too, with some familiar faces from the PS1 GT games making a welcome re-appearance. The graphics have been given a facelift, with the option of a 60hz mode and some of the best real-time reflections yet seen in a game, there really is very little difference between watching the replays and watching a real race on TV. Each car is represented down to the smallest detail and the tracks are beautiful to look at and to drive. Sound is pretty much the same as in the previous game, with faithful engine sounds and a host of famous (and in house) music artists, such as Feeder, although the track listing will be familiar to anyone that owns GT3.

Driving Lesson
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The tests on GT Concept are pretty easy to start of with, even easier than on GT3. Where it differs though, is that this version has only 2 types of test, Beginner and Expert, the second of which can be rock hard at times. Unlocking the cars may take some time, but this just means that the game will last longer. For those who can only complete the Beginner tests, there are still plenty of cars to unlock and play and you are still getting more cars and tracks for your money than on most other games out there.

Passed the Test?
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Although GT3 is now on the Sony Platinum budget range, the extra cars and tracks and the spiced up graphics alone make this a worthy purchase on top of its older brother.

If you like the GT games and are gagging for mo
re cars, or simply just want one of the best driving games around, then GT Concept is a bargain, especially considering that it has more cars than most other driving games put together and such wonderful graphics, all at a low price of £24.99.

Summary: