When asked to justify their purchase, psp owners would often be at a loss for words attempting to reason why their pocket PS2 had a upper-hand against its exceedingly popular though technically inferior DS competitor. Well they will have this problem no longer as they can simply point their hands at a giant billboard advertising Gran Turismo for psp and nod their heads in satisfaction with the belief that their $170-$250 portable was worth every cent.
Though a far-cry in graphical eye candy ofthe teased Gran Turismo 4 portable a half a decade ago Polyphony's first portable release is impressive never the less.
Pros:
- The graphics are beyond impressive making owners of psp's proud to display their systems on trains, buses and planes around the world. Recalling my own daily commutes on New York City's dimly lit Subway; eyes often peered from left to right trying to catch a glimpse of what I was playing and why it looked oh so good.
- If your tired of portable racing games that feel a lot like your cars on a rail like the also graphically impressive Ridge Racer and the not so impressive Need For Speed series, this game is for you. With a myriad of Control settings expected from a simulation racer like optional Traction Control and ABS, and standard, and simulation physics options.
- 800+ cars available which basically means theirs more cars in this game then you'd ever be able to or want to drive in a timely matter.
Cons:
- Although their are 800+ cars the game limits you to a practically random assortment of 30-ish cars per game day making finding a particular car you want a frustrating game of chance.
- Cars: Check, Road: Check, Trees: Check, Life: uh oh. The background on almost all the tracks in the game is a shoddy mess of low res textures and line tears with the exception being the majestic Grand Canyon course which looks great no matter how lifeless and plain it is (after all its just a bunch of huge rocks). On top of the technical side the fact that their is absolutely no movement in the background really takes you out of the zone and gives rise to a awful feeling that the game background is a cardboard cutout lie (like the cake).
- So why should I play? Their is absolutely no incentive to play this game, no awards, no trophies, not even a time to beat in their time attack mode. Sure winning races and setting track times score you credits but with no means of tracking your progress you simply play for the sake of playing setting your track, car, laps, and settings as if your in a test drive or training mode.
- So we have 4 multiplayer modes but wait its ad-hoc only in 2009!!! The developers decision to not include infrastructure play will ultimately hurt sales and frustrate buyers and fans of the series who are forced to be sociopaths as they are cut off from the interaction of others as the chances of having someone to play with next to them is slim to none.
Polyphony as done some good, and a whole lot of bad in regards to their latest entry into the Turismo-verse however it is without a doubt going to generate sales due to its name and at least buyers will have something to showoff to their friends especially if they have a shiny new PSP Go.
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