I just got this today. I'm installing the game (8GB but it's optional) while I'm gonna eat dinner.
Heard the graphics were amazing, we shall see. Over one thousand cars is sweet.
Oh, and there's a track editor. I don't think it's super in depth or anything but I'll test it out and let y'all know.

Good to be getting a racing game again, I usually suck at driving and Gran Turismo is an unforgiving simulation game so I'll probably be pretty rusty and wreck my car a lot.

The track creator is sorta meh...

You can set the number of sectors and how complex they are, how wide the road is, and how sharp the turns are in each sector. You can choose from different backgrounds and themes as well. Snow and dirt terrain for rally, small circuits for kart racing, tarmac and large circuits for normal racing. You can set the time of day and weather effects for certain tracks (snowing for a snow track for example). But it ultimately boils down to setting the parameters and having it generate a track based on your settings. You don't really get to make it yourself. You can save and name your track and come back to make changes later. Plus share them with friends somehow. The other thing is the graphics on the generated tracks, mainly the level of detail, is very lacking compared to the rest of the game. The pre-designed tracks look great but these ones are bland and have very little in terms of looks. We're talking stuff like a flat textured surface for the ground and then a fake forest in the background.

The rest of the game is amazing so far, tons of cars and lots of neat events. The payout of credits is much higher this time around so you can actually purchase a decent car after a few races rather than grinding for hours to upgrade from your starter car.

You can take some impressive pictures from your replays and such. There's even a feature that allows you to take pics of your car in specific locations.

I just got a Lotus Esprit which I need to get some proper tires for. Currently I only need to apply a tiny bit of acceleration to break the tires lose when cornering. (and subsequently spin the car around) lol

Here's some pics from the special photo section. You can add some camera effects and mess with the exposure and all that good stuff.
Looks funking amazing in my opinion. Click the pics for full size.




And here's one taken during a race on one of my favorite tracks. (Which has been in previous GT games)


And here's a series of pictures that I might add to. I've dubbed them "How not to drive a Lotus Esprit."
The first two are on the Indianapolis speedway and the rest are from a created track I have.

The third one is in something called the Redbull hangar I think it's a collection of planes and cars and stuff inside this wicked looking building.

And yes, I would love to just drive through the countryside.


Yes, the car modeling in this game far exceeds the track modeling. Most of the tracks look fine as you're driving along but under close inspection the don't look very good at all. (which isn't that big a deal considering it's a racing game. ) It is most noticeable on the created tracks but anyone with a good eye can spot a ton of graphical shortcuts they took when making the tracks. A bit disappointing really.

Also, the menu screens have a lot of smooth jazz playing (All the GTs had this) but fortunately it doesn't sounds bad and you can have your own music for during races.

Agreed. JC2 probably has the best environments, hands down. Add in the fact that it's got everything from Snow to desert and everything in between and you've got an amazing looking game. (I think the people look like crap on there though, especially the faces)


Yeah, most of the slower stuff is in the menus. There's a large variety of race music and most of it is okay... I just prefer my stuff better.

As for what's popular, I have no clue. lol I pay absolutely no attention to what's popular in any country. You picked the wrong American to ask.

Evidence that the course maker in GT5 can produce some excellent racing material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGll4DB9ZEA

I'll get this one eventually as well.  I just haven't had any time to play games lately.  Too busy doing things for Christmas this time of year.
Post a video if you make any tracks so we can check them out.

Nice race with the carts on Nürburgring, Neg! took forever tho. Funny when you started driving backwards xD