The Ultimate Racer
Written: Apr 05 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sickening number of cars to pick, tons of race modes, lots of tracks
Cons: Graphics aren't greatly improved, rushed out a bit too early
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| awoolcott's Full Review: Gran Turismo 2 for PlayStation 1 |
Gran Turismo 2 is hands down the premier racer on any game console, much less PlayStation. Sure the graphics aren't too much improved, and it was rushed out the door a bit, but it is still the best single racing game ever.
Of course, the hook is the almost sickening amount of cars to pick from. With almost 600 cars to choose from, it is hard making a choice. But it's fun to try racing as them all. American cars are more abundant, with Dodge Neons, Mercury Cougars and other average street cars. It also includes a handful of 70's muscle cars like the Challenger and the Cuda. Really, the one problem is there is no used cars to pick from on the American front, just new. On the different continents, outside of the Japanese cars, there are lots of European type cars. Lotus, Mercedes, Volkswagen among the top names.
After you pick your car, the always a blast license tests begin. This time there are 5, plus the Super License when you get the first 5. But the saving grace is that you can upload your licenses from GT1, which will help you get the first couple licenses. And to be honest, they are actually less difficult than GT1. The parameters aren't as demanding and the tests are actually a lot of fun.
Then it's time to race. Now once again, uh oh, tons to pick from. Almost every type of race is available, from muscle cars to get this..station wagons! Each set of races may also require a maximum horsepower setting. That makes the races more demanding. Plus, along with the traditional races, there are endurance races and rally racing. The promised drag racing mode isn't in there though, due to being rushed onto shelves. Plus, there is over 20 tracks to pick from, with all the GT1 tracks and a few new ones, such as the torturous Laguna Seca. But the new tracks aren't anywhere as good as the ones in the original Gran Turismo.
And the AI in the race is much different than GT1. The computer cars are bunched up together most of the time, and one mistake can cost you the race if you really screw up. But once you really max out the car for each race, you can eventually blow the doors of the opponents. Plus, most of the races are raced one at a time, so you can save in between. And a lot of the races, if you win, give you a car, and some of them are just monster machines.
Soundwise, the soundtrack for the most part rocks. STP, Garbage, and the Chemical Brothers are the headliners, with a few others such as Soul Coughing. The music really sets the mood, as the songs are good for racing to.
Graphicially, GT2 isn't exactly improved. But then again, the graphics were great in GT1, so why change what doesn't need changing? There is a bit of problems with the graphics, like some of the new tracks don't have the good detail of GT1's tracks, and some of the cars look kinda blocky. But this is such a good game that who cares about the graphics.
Overall, Gran Turismo is without a doubt the ultimate racing game. If you don't have it yet, just what are you waiting for?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
awoolcott
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Location: Arizona
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About Me:
Okay, scratch that...Uncharted 2 - Game of the Year.
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