Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Genre: Driving
Rating: RP (Rating Pending)
Number of Players: 1 (16 Multiplayer)
Expected Release: TBA 2008
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Official Website
Gran Turismo 5 Gallery

Any entry in the Gran Turismo series has been a must have for any Sony enthusiast since the days of PlayStation 1. This realistic driving simulator has always offered incredible visuals that were advanced for its time, as well as the most precise racing physics to date. While many gamers out there complain about how the PS3 has a lack of exclusive titles, the release of Gran Turismo 5 should be more than enough to get naysayers to shut their mouths.

While Gran Turismo 5 is planned to be released sometime this year, a preview version entitled GT5: Prologue is already out in Japan for about $40USD. Obviously this seems like a lot of dough to fork over for a demo, but Prologue is much different than any demo we’ve ever encountered. Although not necessarily representative of the final quality of the game, there’s undoubtedly a lot we can take away from this teaser release.

Right off the bat, we see that Polyphony has revamped the starting screen. Instead of having you choose from a few different game modes right after you pop in the disc; GT5 now begins with "My Page." "My Page" acts as your main hub to access every feature of the game, but to take full advantage of this you need to have an internet connection. If you're plugged in, you'll have access to various feeds such as one describing weather conditions for famous race locations.

Another new feature incorporating online capabilities is GT.TV. As the name suggests, this mode will be fitted with episodes of real-life car shows, such as the popular BBC show, "Top Gear". While there was a lot of content that was included with the purchase of Prologue, there will be a fee to purchase newer episodes upon their release. Unfortunately, background downloading is not currently setup with GT.TV, but a fix for this could easily be seen by the time GT5 is released.

Easily the best of the new online features is the online racing, of course. Gran Turismo 4 was heavily criticized due to its lack of online play, so it was only natural for Polyphony to listen to their fan's requests. From what we've seen so far, the online component is broken up into live race events against other players and time trial races. Specific details and limitations have already been created for each event, outlining the number of laps, maximum players, and car class requirements. Some events have support for up to 16 racers at once, which can make for some intense live races. While it's been said that all 16 racers would need to have high speed internet connections for things to run smoothly, we didn't have any problems once we actually got into the race. The load times can be a tad lengthy online, especially compared to the almost instantaneous loading offline, but considering the experience you're getting it's well worth the wait. In addition, the time trial mode merely has you compete against the clock for the best time, which can then be ranked against top online pros. Chances are the full version will have more extensive online race options, but even a barebones component would be a huge step up from previous Gran Turismo titles.

While the online racing will be a blast, we can't forget how many hundreds of hours we plan on sinking into the simulation mode. GT5 will feature over 700 vehicles. While Lamborghini and Porsche are still nowhere to be found, Ferraris are finally going to make an appearance. In Prologue there are a lot of events that aren't fixed-lap or point-to-point races. Instead there are events with specific objectives such as getting to the lead of the pack at Daytona in only one lap. While it's almost certain that the license testing will be back (and as harsh as ever), the developers are working on new ways to keep the career aspect fresh.

Aside from having top-notch physics and all the other accurate detail we've known to grow and love, Gran Turismo 5 still raised the bar this time around. For starters, a new in-car camera has been added if you want to see the race exactly as if you were the driver. The engine sounds will obviously sound different from inside the cockpit, and you can rest assured knowing that the interior of the car will be perfectly detailed down to the door handle. The rear view and side mirrors will be fully functional, and you can also use the D-pad to observe your surroundings.

Ultimately, it’s Polyphony’s incredible attention to detail that has made this series so successful. While 1080p support with smooth frame rates will make almost any game look great, Gran Turismo 5 will be much more than a pretty racing game. The level of competition brought about in any Gran Turismo 5 has always been huge, so you can expect to see millions of gamers burning rubber in their entertainment rooms later this year.