TGS 06: Gran Turismo HD Updated Hands-On
We sit down with the premier PS3 racing sim and take it for a few laps.
By Brian Ekberg, GameSpot
Posted Sep 22, 2006 5:32 am GMT
TOKYO--There are two ways to play the latest build of Gran Turismo HD for the PlayStation 3 on the floor of the Tokyo Game Show. You can either stand and play the game with the dual shock analog control, or you can wait in a slightly longer line and experience the game as the Motosports Gods intended you to: sitting in a form-fitting Sparco racing seat setup complete with rollbars, a Logitech GT wheel and pedal system, full surround-sound speakers, and a 37" Sony display to experience the true 1080p high definition quality of the game. Needless to say, when it came to our first hands-on look at GT HD since the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo, we chose the latter.
It was a fine choice, too. Sitting in the snug seat, fighting the force feedback controls on the wheel, and generally enjoying the full-sounding car engine and squeal of the tires in a relatively private and enclosed space just feels right and really captures the sense of "you and the road" that makes the GT series so compelling. It helps to that the "road" part of this equation is an entirely new track as well. Dubbed "The Eiger Nordarnd", it's a long, hilly course vaguely reminiscent in shape of the Yellowstone track in Gran Turismo 4.
While the two tracks might be similar in general layout, they couldn't be more different in terms of visuals. This mountainous, treacherous road features plenty of elevation changes, challenging switchbacks and a few long straights so you can really open up the car. The layout of the track is certainly a challenge, made all the more difficult by the beauty of your surroundings. The imposing snow-peaked Swiss Alps form the backdrop of your race and, on the beginning leg of the lap, you'll get a peak over the perilous cliffs below. The sense of depth to the environments is simply astonishing in GT HD--the mountains feel distant, yet are rendered with such detail that you will likely lose a few seconds off your first lap just gawking at the scenery. Objects closer to the car are no less impressive--including loads of spectators lining the track waving Swiss flags, hang gliders flying through the air, it is truly an impressive spectacle. The game's frame rate hung together for most of the demo, only dipping during the tightest corners in the game.
We tackled the course in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, one of the ten selectable rides available (other drives included the Mazda Eunos Roadster, Toyota Celica GT-Four, Suzuku Cappuccino, and the ubiquitous Subaru Impreza WRX), and, by the second lap, we were sliding our way around the course with the best of them. If you've spent any time in a GT game, you'll feel right at home with GT HD's driving model. The Mitsubishi felt heavy under acceleration and twitchy under braking (in good ways, mind you) and sliding the tail end of the car around corners became more or less second nature by the second lap.
Unfortunately, we were only allowed two laps on the Eiger course in the slick little racing setup, and it's left us with the hunger to try another few laps with the game. We hope to learn more about Gran Turismo HD in the coming days during TGS 2006, so be sure and check back soon.
