Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Best in series"

First off a bit of background. This game is a RACING SIMULATOR. Not an urban street racing, drug induced adrenaline fix. That being said it is the preview to the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 due in 2009.

It is made by Polyphony Digital (check out previous GT titles and TT by them). They have always been car fanatics and pride themselves in the details of cars.

The game can be downloaded or bought retail (Blue-ray), both for the same price ($39.95 USD). The disc has some bonus content, but I opted for the D/L version.
You start with 35,000 credits and must buy a car to start. I chose the Mazda RX-8. It has the best power to weight ratio, so I was sold. No upgrades are available (hopefully in the final version), so time to hit the track.
The menu is slick and easy to use. Various categories are displayed (not in order - news, GT-TV, events, dealership, online, arcade mode, and options). I will outline each category below
News – just a place PD can provide you with updates to the game (on-line races updated, etc)
GT-TV – area to D/L HD versions of segments (opening, making of GT5P, ending, GT-R on the Autobahn, GT-R on the Nurburgring). These take a bit of time (not sure if it is my connection or SONY, but these are REALLY slow, I was able to D/L the whole game faster than one of these episodes.
EVENTS – The meat of the game. Events start with C class (then B, A, and S). Each class has ten races of varying design. Most are races against a full grid of 16 cars and your objective is to get first. You have to get first second or third to clear the event. You must clear all events to go on to the next class. After finishing the events (clearing) you are awarded a car too. Once A, B, and C are clear S class events are unlocked as well. These are the uber fun events of the game (using tuned cars). Also the quick tune option is now available in most events (change gear ratios, adjust suspension, etc)
Dealership – where you buy cars, also manufacturer events are located here (make and model specific races). None are really hard here (cept the Ferrari race) to get gold, but a good starting point for those that want to get some $$ and experience on other tracks.
ONLINE – well it is finally here, online racing for GT. I can't complain, make sure you have a good connection and whatever you do don't quit the race (you may be the host and if so when you quit everyone else is bumped off). Most people complain over the lack of ability to customize race events and organize their own events, but this is just a prologue version so it is good enough for me.
Arcade mode – great for a quick pick up race, or to try a certain car on a track.
Options – not too much to change here, and if you are reading my review for this section you need help
and stop comparing this to the full versions of other games (that cost more)