Overall: 9
Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Concept: 10
Replay Value: 10

Being the sequel to the best racing game ever is a tough bill to fit. The original Gran Turismo broke so many barriers and changed the racing genre so much it's hard to imagine what video games as a whole would be like had it never been created. Following it up was indeed a monumental task, and while Polyphony Digital didn't fail by any stretch of the imagination, they didn't quite do as much as they could have.

In essence, the sequel is identical to the original. The idea is, you're an amateur racer starting with a small nest egg, and by buying, modifying, and racing various cars, you advance by earning money and buying new and better cars. Instead of detailing the gameplay, which is almost exactly the same as the first game, I'm going to run down a list of the differences, good and bad.

good: More cars. Namely, about 500 of them total. You get more fully race ready cars, more exotic supercars, more sports cars, and more daily drivers. There is enough here to satisfy most any car lovers fantasies, unless of course they love one of the brands that wasn't lisenced.

bad: More of the same cars. Yes, you have 500 cars, but that includes different types of the same model, so there are a few dozen Nissan Skylines from different years in different trim levels. Also, along with more cars comes more worthless cars, though some of the weak or otherwise disadvantaged cars are some of the most fun to drive.

good: Better graphics. The cars are modeled extremely well, and the track graphics are spiced up a bit. Overall, it lends to a better gaming experience, where it's more enjoyable to watch the cars themselves and easier to navigate more visible tracks. The replays are a joy to watch as well.

bad: Worse application of graphics: While the graphics are better, GT2 really hits the limit of the dated Playstation's abilities. Not only is background pop-up common, but road pop-up is a horror the gamer learns to live with. While it's not a concern once the tracks are memorized (a neccessity anyway), for the beginning player it makes the game extremely frustrating. It's hard to properly corner if you don't see it coming. Also, 2-player slowdown is very evident, detracting from one of the best aspects of the game.

good: More options. There are more parts to choose from and a few more settings options. Players can now install limited slip differentials and stability controllers, and increased handling options such as toe-in (front and rear) are available. Tuning is slightly more convenient, with touches such as the start button resetting the options to default, and a quick gear selector.

bad: Difficult navigation. Menus are a chore to wade through, as practically every choice requires loading time and there is no easy way to jump from one menu to another. In addition, certain timesavers are overlooked, such as the ability to tune your car from the garage; you must enter it in a race first. Once the game is mastered, these things really detract from play.

good: More races. Not only are there more tracks to race on (including famous, real life courses like Laguna Seca), but there are many more events as well, with a large number of prize cars awarded. There are even off-road rally races, and many rlaly specific cars from the real WRC circuit. In addition, there is a sensible method to determine a car's eligibility; namely, horsepower limits. While they don't truly differentiate cars, it's a step up from the free-for-all style of the first game.

bad bad bad: AI. The computer controlled racers not only are horrible drivers, but they do not react to the player in any way, shape, or form. If you happen to be in the same spot as the computer wants to be in, they literally ram you until they get their way. Since there is no damage, and no real collision, you are limited to overpowering the computer instead of outracing it. This is complicated by the fact that touching objects has no bearing on your car's attitude; that is, if you bump into someone at 180mph, it only slows you down, instead of sending you careening into the wall as it should.

bad: Physics: GT2 does fake physics very well. They are still fake, however. Cars don't really have a weight distribution, they simply are programmed to handle a certain way. This leads to some problems that aren't noticeable at first. For example, it is entirely possible to slam on the brakes at 150mph, and while on them, easily turn in any direction. This is because the game simulates weight transfer, but doesn't quite simulate locked front tires very well, which should happen and cause your car to simply go straight no matter what. One glaring oversight is an apparent lack of a car's undercarraige. This prevents cars from bottoming out, allowing the player to lower a vehicle as far as they can, and also seems to force cars to stay stuck to the ground. It's impossible to pop up an outside tire or two during a hard turn; instead, to lift tires off the ground the player must literally launch the entire car off of something, usually a curb.

bad: Licensing. Unfortunately, because licensing is so tricky, not all cars are available, and some are weakened. Famous makers like Ferrari, Lambourghini, and Porsche are not in the game (though Porsche tuner Ruf is), and the majority of non-Japanese cars are severely limited tuning options, ranging from lack of racing modification to lack of any engine modification whatsoever. It's hard to blame the game's makers for this, but after the first game's success, you'd think they would have the funds available to license as they see fit.

Overall, GT2 is quite an improvement over the first game. With so much more to do and see, it's certainly worth it. And, while Gran Turismo 3 has since been released on the Playstation 2, many players still prefer GT2. Sure, on the PS2 you get vastly improved graphics, but there's nothing like the car selection of GT2 and many prefer the physics.

It sounds like the game has quite a bit stacked up against it, but it really isn't that bad. One just has to remember that it's just a game, and it's not going to be exactly like driving in real life. It's close though, really close, and considering all the good things included, it's a must-buy if you liked the first game. Once you get drawn in by the enormity of the whole game, it's easy to overlook the details. All in all, Polyphony Digital released a solid package, even if it seems they did so a bit early.

Recommended: Yes