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Gran Turismo 3: A-spec
by Jolex Del Pilar
Monday, January 24 2000
Based on the highly successful PSX racer, Gran Turismo 3: A-spec promises to deliver more cars, better visuals, and more tracks than ever before.
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Title:
Gran Turismo 3: A-spec
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Platform:
PS2
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Publisher:
SCEA |
Developer:
SCEA |
#
of Players: 1 - 2 |
Genre:
Racing
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Origin:
Japan
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Expected
Release:
July 2001 |
Grapevine:
However, even with the upgraded roster of cars (Ford finally !), it was obvious that Gran Turismo was in need of a more significant upgrade, in comes Gran Turismo 3 for the Sony Playstation 2. |
I admittedly never played many racing games before I played the original Gran Turismo on the PSX. Yet, I could tell it was a bit more than merely average. It was a fantastic game in many respects. A fine racing engine, solid physics, and all the micromanagement you could stomach for a racing sim. Every conceviable aspect of your car could be modified, from your engines, your transmission, and even the shiny gloss of your roadster. The only thing missing was the oil stains on those nice worn-out overalls.
The game was so successful, a heavily hyped launch of the 2nd installment was met with nearly equal fan appriciation, and also sold well. However, even with the upgraded roster of cars (Ford finally !), it was obvious that Gran Turismo was in need of a more significant upgrade, in comes Gran Turismo 3 for the Sony Playstation 2.
An impressive feature of this installment of the series is the raw amount of vehicles and manufacturers that are represented. Cars from Ford, Honda, Acura, and BMW; 150 cars in all. The demo released by Sony to the press only had 3 operable cars; the S2000, NSX, and Mustang Cobra R. All three cars performed realistically as far as I could tell (you see, people like me don't drive cars like those). Obviously the biggest improvement of the game is in the visuals.
The cars models will be able to more closely reflect their real world counterparts due to the higher polygon capability of the PS2. Along with a higher resolution textures and certain effects such as real time lighting, the series has never looked better. No more pixel fest, and jaggy trees, this game looks good.
My mother drives this car and a lot better too.
The sound effects of the game are expected to be top notch, although the music in the demo was a bit too on the "heavy metal" side for my taste, hopefully Sony will provide us with more options to choose from at release.
Although it's still early in deveopment, Sony has told us that 15 courses will be available in the full version of the game with a few extra courses to be unlocked by the more skilled drivers in the crowd. Containing the same micromanagement found in the original, along with greatly improved graphics, Gran Turismo 3: Apec is looking to be the first solid racer of its generation. Besides, it's the closest any of us will get to owning 150 top quality cars from almost a dozen manufacturers. Look for this game to be passing you by come Spring 2001.
--- Jolex Del Pilar, VGLN Warlord
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