Gran Turismo 5

[Darwock]

The only differences I can think of is the different DLC bonus cars for the first editions and the fact the monetary values are all in yen amounts. I originally heard the DLC cars were the same but I don't think they are - my friend got 5 chrome line cars with his UK version but I got 5 stealth model cars with my Japanese one.

Incidentally I have shared those cars if anyone on my friend list wants to check them out and confirm.

[Bassman]

I have been collecting GT games for a while now. I have all the previous games for all regions!

[Darwock]

Oh I thought of another one, the Japanese version has access to the pay-per-view vids of Best Motoring and so on.

[ItsThere]

I think I've come to the conclusion that the Seasonal Races are just free exp. and money.

Don't get me wrong, it is great to race cars I wouldn't normally buy. The races are just so easy though. For example. Just did the Tuscan one...

I don't know everything about cars but, surely it isn't right that I could beat a Zonda in a Speed 6?

I drove like a super spaz, had 3 spins and one full stop crash but still managed to win. Beating a Zonda. Madness.

[Darwock]

Do it without racing tyres on then! You can choose your own level of difficulty. Perhaps they should bring back the restrictions after all...

[saturn-gamer]

You won't win with sports tires so its kind of useless to try. You either sail through, or you just won't win. Take your pick.

Seasonals are not a true race, but more like closing a big ass gap. Some like it, others want true and balanced races. GT can not offer the latter, how hard you try. Probably to hide the awful cop moving AI. Going head to head with it will only end up hurting yourself.

I tried to make indy 500 exciting. Couldn't. So, I went with what you say here; different tires, skid off, lowest bhp.

Only to win it with just 8 laps ahead.

[Bassman]

On some, Sports Tyres and minor engine upgrades will still give you a fairly easy win. I won the i-MiEV event with a totally stock car. Others like the Schwimmwagen need a little more determined upgrading.

With fixed length Enduros the fastest car possible is usually the best option as you can get the race over that little bit quicker. I find them boring enough without prolonging the agony!

[Darwock]

I usually attempt the first three out of the five on sports tyres and I usually win them. The first set of seasonals were locked on tyre choice and horse power, but could be won with various other upgrades (drivetrain and so on) and skillful driving. It took me a lot of attempts but in the end I won all except the last one (GTR) where I came second.

Saying it's pointless to try is bull**** basically. Actually I don't have a problem with people taking the easy option to win, I do it myself, but to take the easy option and then complain that it's too easy?

If they had left the seasonals with the restrictions everyone would surely be complaining that it's too hard, they took them off (granting everyone a way to avoid the grinding they had been complaining about beforehand) and people complain it's too easy. People will just complain whatever happens I guess.

[Bassman]

You can never satisfy everyone, though in some respects GT5 does go out of its way to make it difficult.

I am gradually working through the oldest set of Seasonals on my accounts. I think I have tried all the colours on the i-MiEV now. I like the Solid Red colour and did a repaint in that colour to remove the contrasting panels. Looks quite good in red. I did buy the IC powered version of that car from the UCD which proved to be surprisingly tail happy for a low powered light car. Being rear engined helped I suppose.

Looks like I might have a free Send slot after midnight as nobody seems to be begging me for cars. Ought really to send a "spare" Pescarolo to another account, just in case I wear my original out. I now have an X2010 on three accounts and intend to only use it on my main one. May have to give it a try on the Indy 500 just to see how fast it can be done.

After completing the current Seasonals all my accounts ought to be beyond Lv 25!

[ItsThere]

I don't think they are pointless and I certainly enjoy them but I don't upgrade the cars anymore except for changing the tyres, maybe I should stop doing that too.

Ok - I take it back partly, this Shubbelwagon race or whatever it is called is madness!

[vanpeebles]

The weather is totally broken on b-spec races, pissing it down on Suzuki. I start the game on full wets, the dick AI pits after a lap and puts on intermediates. Does a few more shaky laps then pits again putting on full hard slicks, cue much sliding about and spins all over.

What a load of crap, lap 17 of 172 and I've done about 6 pit stops.

[Malc]

The weather is totally broken on b-spec races, pissing it down on Suzuki. I start the game on full wets, the dick AI pits after a lap and puts on intermediates. Does a few more shaky laps then pits again putting on full hard slicks, cue much sliding about and spins all over.

What a load of crap, lap 17 of 172 and I've done about 6 pit stops.

I bet you're still winning though...

[vanpeebles]

No I quit out after 40 mins and only 20 laps of 172 because it got stupid. Constantly pitting every other lap, the rest were doing the same too. The fact you have to grind to make the next b-spec races is also stupid.

[Bassman]

The higher levels of B spec are seriously broken as they are the same as A spec and who wants to leave Bob unattemded for however many 24 hour races or for that matter wants to hold his hand for them, while he tries to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as you try to level up B spec.

The game seriously needs some B spec Seasonals (preferrably without limits) so that Bob stands a fighting chance of getting far enough to get you a free X2010. My B spec is Lv 23 but my Bobs are not fast enough to stand much chance on anything other than an oval, and even then their ability comes into question. The thought of having to grind to boost their speed to a usable level just does not appeal that much.

[saturn-gamer]

I usually attempt the first three out of the five on sports tyres and I usually win them. The first set of seasonals were locked on tyre choice and horse power, but could be won with various other upgrades (drivetrain and so on) and skillful driving. It took me a lot of attempts but in the end I won all except the last one (GTR) where I came second.

Saying it's pointless to try is bull**** basically. Actually I don't have a problem with people taking the easy option to win, I do it myself, but to take the easy option and then complain that it's too easy?

If they had left the seasonals with the restrictions everyone would surely be complaining that it's too hard, they took them off (granting everyone a way to avoid the grinding they had been complaining about beforehand) and people complain it's too easy. People will just complain whatever happens I guess.

So what you're telling is that the easy way is actually using an unmodified vehicle and proceeding to blame the player for that. Thats all fine but I'd blame the game for just not finding a good balance on default.

Maybe you'll win the first 3 with sports tires, but I saw myself winning only 2 seconds a lap in the DTM race with sport hards. Not enough to close the gap. Maybe I'm a bad driver? Thats again down to balance then as I did gold the likes of Nascar, GT-R and Mini when the restrictions were still there.

Keeping the restrictions was fine by the way. Taking the restrictions away was fine too as my complaint wasn't about that really. The difference is that I think the lot of complaints about GT5 are more than legit as this game is in all honesty a big fat train wreck. Its good that the fanbase is so vocal and the sales are underwhelming (outside of Europe), as PD needs to go back to the drawing board.