By Jarryd Kensley
First things first, all guys love cars (well, some more than others) and all guys love video games. Add these two items together and you get the ultimate driving experience outside that of driving a real car, Gran Turismo.
Ever since getting my very first PlayStation (PlayStation 1 circa 1997) I received something with it that was to alter the course of my future forever, Gran Turismo. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, I switched on my PlayStation to the familiar symphony of the start-up menu and the rest is a formality.
20 years on and here we are, Gran Turismo Sport, the seventh instalment in this, the ultimate driving simulator. Having owned every single title on all 4 generations of console, I have seen this game evolve and grow much like I did through the years, and with each instalment, Polyphony have pushed out the boat (or car in this case).
When I turned the first wheel of Gran Turismo Sport, I was immediately transported back to the wide eyed and bushy tailed 9-year-old who got to drive his favourite vehicles once more, albeit with a better sense of the dynamics of a vehicle. The attention to detail, the shadows of the street lamps as you race down a street circuit, all these are there to evoke an emotion.
Polyphony had done it again, creating an elegant masterpiece as only they know how. Everything from the sound of the engines, to the screech of a tyre as you lock up to hit that apex, all evoke a reaction and an emotion, from joy of nailing the perfect lap, to despair of out-braking yourself, you feel it all as if you were Lewis Hamilton chasing the chequered flag.
But enough of the nostalgia, let’s get down to business. What is it like to own the latest Gran Turismo instalment? For the car connoisseur, it’s the closest you will get to driving the super cars of the world. For the novice, it’s a frustrating day at the office every time out.
Gran Turismo Sport moves away from the traditional style of racing in a campaign style and takes you into the world of online. Pitting your newly honed skillsagainst that of like-minded racing enthusiasts around the world (no Visa required). In most parts of Asia, the America’s and Continental Europe, this isn’t much of an issue, but in South Africa, this could pose a potential stumbling block due to the high cost of data to access online content.
When attempting to play online for the first time, it requires a 12gb download to install the latest patch, which unless you are running uncapped data with an 8gig line, could be a bit of an expensive exercise (cough “Telkom” cough, clears throat). Once you’ve downloaded it and installed the update, you are on your way to motoring Nirvana.
The number of features available as you go along makes you feel like a kid in a candy store. From changing the livery of the vehicles, to custom tailoring your racing overalls, to on location photoshoots with your favourite vehicle, it’s enough to make you want to head out and do something most self-respecting car enthusiasts would not dare do, join a car club!
In conclusion, Gran Turismo Sport is not just better than its predecessor, there is a Grand Canyon sized gulf between this and Gran Turismo 6. Well done Kazunori Yamauchi, I lift my helmet visor to you!
