Gran Turismo 3

The PlayStation2 takes the Gran Turismo franchise to new heights in the third edition of the venerable racing series. The graphics are sure to grab you--the cars and tracks are awe inspiring, and there are some incredible lighting effects. This game is much more than eye candy, though.

The gameplay in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is the same as its predecessors; fans of the previous games will feel right at home, while newcomers will be able to pick things up easily. There are more than 150 cars from which to choose, and plenty of tracks upon which to race them. Arcade mode works well for a quick fix, while simulation mode provides outstanding replay value. The sound effects are impressive--each engine has a unique sound, and tire screeches from different cars sound noticeably different. The soundtrack is a good mix of original compositions and a wide variety of recording artists, including Motley Crue, Raekwon, Jimi Hendrix, and Snoop Dogg.

One minor flaw with the game is its relatively predictable artificial intelligence. Computer-controlled cars follow distinct lines, and you'll be able to pick up the patterns after a few races. Considering how far the graphics have come since the original Gran Turismo, it's disappointing that the AI hasn't progressed similarly. Despite this, GT3 remains an outstanding game. Few games offer its combination of high quality and immense variety. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Incredible graphics
• Excellent physics and controls
• Great soundtrack

Cons:

• Predictable AI
• No Porsche or Ferrari licenses

The third title of the Gran Turismo series takes full advantage of the new PlayStation2 game engine, which is capable of rendering about 20 million polygons per second--roughly 10 times the number of total polygons of the series' previous installment, Gran Turismo 2. Real-time lighting forces your eyes to adjust to changing conditions, such as when a car rounds a turn and the sun comes out from behind a building to cause glare on the windshield. This makes the game harder, but more realistic. Heat rises off the ground and mist swirls around vehicles as they make their way across the racetrack.

Gran Turismo 3 also features more than 100 distinct cars, each with different statistics, including the Subaru Impreza Rally, Dodge Viper GTS-R, and Mazda's RX-7 RS. Computer-controlled opponents benefit from enhanced artificial intelligence; they don't act like baby ducks following their mother, but instead respond to other cars, the course, and the conditions in much the same way that real drivers would. Pressure a car, and it will pressure you back; cut one off in the early part of the race, and expect to receive similar treatment down the course. They don't drive perfectly, either; some will spin out and make other mistakes over the course of a race.

Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series, told the assembled media at the June 2000 E3 conference that his goal for the game's first two installments was to build a real racing simulator experience, as opposed to just static racing titles, but he lacked the necessary hardware power in the original PlayStation to realize his intentions fully.

With the PlayStation2 hardware, however, his team was able to create a game engine that was capable of rendering 20 million polygons per second. Each car in Gran Turismo 3 is made up of 4,000 polygons--roughly 10 times the number that made up the cars in Gran Turismo 2.

After having gotten a chance to take the game for a test drive, it's apparent that Yamauchi's dream has been realized. Aside from the startling graphics, the cars race around the track realistically, and the game runs at an impressive 60 frames per second.

One example of Gran Turismo 3's advancements is its variable acceleration. The harder you press on the gas with the Dual Shock 2 controller, the faster your car will go--similar to driving an actual car. Also, computer-controlled drivers now are much smarter than in the past two versions. The more pressure you apply on them, the harder it is to pass. If you drive carelessly and cut off your opponents or crowd them, they'll return the favor at some point during the race.

This functionality adds to the overall enjoyment and real-world racing feel of Gran Turismo 3. The control setup on the Dual Shock 2 will be familiar immediately to anyone who has played either Gran Turismo or Gran Turismo 2 for the PlayStation.

The finished game will have over 150 cars from which to choose, including the Toyota MR-S Apex, Audi TT 1.8T Quattro, Nissan Silvia K's, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR (Tommi Makinen edition), and Mazda RX-7 RS, to name but a few. --Todd Mowatt

When the PlayStation2 was announced, the first title Sony officially mentioned for the system was Gran Turismo 3. If you have played Gran Turismo 2, then you already know what to expect from the gameplay, since GT3 is basically an enhanced version of it at this point.

Graphically, Gran Turismo 3 is turning out to be stunning. In the latest playable version, high-resolution textures are starting to be implemented, but some areas still need work (for example, the crowds). The smoke effects caused by skidding now appear to be finished, and they add a nice sense of realism to the game. Lighting in the game is also coming along real nice. Shadows caused by buildings blocking the sunlight (which is a nice effect in itself) allow for a completely different driving experience, compared with Gran Turismo 3. As you move in and out of the sunlight's path as you race by buildings, your eyes are forced to quickly adjust to the lighting - just as in real life driving - making the game more difficult.

The replays in the game are unlike anything ever seen before. It's breathtaking to see the heat rising off the road as a pack of cars comes from the edge of the horizon and zooms past you. As for the physics, what you found in Gran Turismo 2 is basically what you find in Gran Turismo 3. If there is any difference to be mentioned, the cars appear to be a bit more "springy."

Of particular note is that the game will benefit from the Dual Shock 2's analog-sensitive buttons. Take acceleration, for example: The harder you press the gas button, the faster the car will go similar to the way a real gas pedal behaves, or like the shoulder buttons on Namco's neGcon controller. Needless to say, this is extremely cool, especially considering the fact that the buttons don't feel any different to the touch from the buttons on the standard Dual Shock controller.

Sony has said that Gran Turismo 3 won't just be a graphically improved version of GT2, so it will be interesting to see what the company adds to the game before it's released to make good on that statement.--Dave Toole--Copyright © 2000 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Grand Turismo 2000 -- the game that needs no introduction is ready to pop into fifth gear and roar into your PlayStation 2. A top-notch game in its genre makes its mark on video gaming history! This is the Grand Turismo that was always meant to be and could only be accomplished with the power of the PlayStation 2. Step on the clutch, pop it into gear, and let the good times roll!

Grand Turismo 2000 -- the game that needs no introduction is ready to pop into fifth gear and roar into your PlayStation 2. A top-notch game in its genre makes its mark on video gaming history! This is the Grand Turismo that was always meant to be and could only be accomplished with the power of the PlayStation 2. Step on the clutch, pop it into gear, and let the good times roll!