GT: HD Concept Review (WIP)

[tha_con]

GT: HD


The New – So what’s new in GT: HD? Let’s start with the “traction” meter. While I haven’t exactly had what I would call extensive experience with GT: HD (I played for an hour to unlock everything) it appears to me that the throttle meter is now combined with a new display. Basically, it still measures the amount of throttle input, however, now when you begin to lose traction, a portion of the throttle meter will turn red (filling red from top to bottom). This was actually very helpful for me in learning how to better control higher powered cars (Ferrari) on the lower speed turns and push it as hard as I could. It’s definitely a great addition.

Drift mode is another welcome addition to many fans, and the experience of sharing it is even more so. The way Drift Mode works is through a meter that measures your drift from the start of a turn to the end. The downfall is that the meter does not start until a set point, not when you begin your drift. It works well, however, and the point system is represented by flags that “fill” as you drift. Maintaining a drift for a longer period of time yields more points, and getting the car dead sideways and making a great recovery even more so. I have found that if you begin a drift and lose control, but stay on the pavement, you still receive points. When you post a top 10 time or score in either mode, you can upload your replay to the PSN where other users around the world can download it.

Also new in this series is the sound. While it definitely isn’t a leap above GT4 by any means (let’s hope this changes) I can say that certain sounds and effects have changed. For instance, it seems as though they have put a much greater emphasis on things like the turbo whine when it spools. It seems to me that they are still using the same sound generating algorithm (to create different pitches at different RPM ranges) however, it is improved, though I still feel it has some ways to go. It’s also note worthy to mention that spectators will cheer and gasp as you fly by or lose control. Pretty neat.

Physics – The physics in GT: HD Concept haven’t been “completely” revamped, however, that’s not to say that they aren’t improved. They don’t feel like a huge leap from previous GT titles, but I can definitely tell that each vehicle has it’s own characteristics much more than I could tell in earlier iterations of the GT series. It also seems as though the tire physics have changed, as it feels different (I like it more) when you lose traction and break lose. I tried to break out and do some doughnuts, but I just couldn’t get it to happen, this could be due to the fact that I had my TCS set to 2, but time will tell, I’m not the most skilled player, after all.

Graphics – Wow. They have really upped the ante here. Imagine GT4, with extremely high resolution textures, amazing car reflections, and fully modeled wheels, body panels,
and interiors. Now kick it up a notch and you’ve got GT: HD concept. The lighting is superb, it’s crisp and some-what jaggy free (still here, but to a very very small extent). Things that are still looking for improvement, however, are tire marks and tire smoke. No tire marks combined with tire smoke that still seems last generation is a bit of a disappointment, but the game is made to make much improvement over the next year or two.


I’ll be back with more impressions, but for now I have to go play more and take more notes Enjoy folks!

[Boricua]

sounds really good to me :clap

only thing is the smoke and tire marks.

that takes some realism away. if someone spins out there should be smoke because its increases realism and it would really make it harder to see wats coming. thus causing a pile up or a lucky getaway.

imagine, your seeing a replay from an angle that the turns is coming and the camera is facing the front of your car. 2 cars in front of u lose control causing a big smoke effect. you try to make it threw but see one of them and it causes u to drift a bit, now coming out of the turn and appearing out of the smoke your car is in a middle of a drift and making it out perfectly fine. i think that'd be a badass replay...

[mike_sho]

Sad there still using that synth system for sound...they need to drop that and not worry so much about being accurate , which it is indeed accurate to the representitive rpm one the model , but not really accurate in actual reproduction of a car. Allthough pretty good how they do it , it could probably be easily swapped for a simple microphone recording and rendering its sounds in each gear , accel and deaccel.

I know its funny but I think if need for speed can get it down pretty good , so could they. Allthough need for speed isnt probably that accurate , it fools me enough with good rip roaring ass kicking exhaust sounds.

But good review. Keep it coming.

[ghibli99]

Thanks for the impressions... I'm glad PD dumped this and are instead concentrating all their efforts on GT5. This GTHD idea was a joke anyway, so I'm glad it's a free download.

-Mike

[tha_con]

I've been working my way into the top 100 lately, I've got a few cars there, it's actually pretty fun, just a shame that the leader boards only display the top 10 and that's IT...hopefully it get's improved.

[NegroDamus]

Played it and it's the same shit with more polish. Nothing next gen about the driving or the sounds, it looks nice but it's a driving game.

[tha_con]

For a game that's got about another year and a half in development, you seem pretty eager to judge it.

We haven't even seen what they plan to offer as far as AI, and just like other games, this is for the most part a Beta, and none of the sounds have been updated.

I can say the physics are pretty much the same, but that really doesn't bother me too much, as I'm not looking to simulate my driving experience too much, it is, afterall, a game. If I want something real life I'll just take my car out to Heartland Race track.

[NegroDamus]

They are the ones who call it the real driving SIMULATOR.

It is the same ol shit and you know it.

[UltraMagneticAL]

Originally Posted by tha_con

I've been working my way into the top 100 lately, I've got a few cars there, it's actually pretty fun, just a shame that the leader boards only display the top 10 and that's IT...hopefully it get's improved.

haha this was me last week

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by tha_con

For a game that's got about another year and a half in development, you seem pretty eager to judge it.

Really? And it seems in another recent post you jumped all over the graphic quality of Halo 3, comparing it to Resistance, despite the fact that Bungie stated many times it is a VERY unfinished product. A bit hypocritical? I think so.

On another note, I am also glad that Polyphony is focusing on GT5. GTHD didn't really excite me. It's basically just a graphically enhanced GT4 meant to showcase the graphical capabilities of the PS3.

[NationsMostWanted]

Originally Posted by UltraMagneticAL

haha this was me last week

fucking Al... i cant drift worth a shit in that game

[tha_con]

Originally Posted by blackdelsol94

Really? And it seems in another recent post you jumped all over the graphic quality of Halo 3, comparing it to Resistance, despite the fact that Bungie stated many times it is a VERY unfinished product. A bit hypocritical? I think so.

On another note, I am also glad that Polyphony is focusing on GT5. GTHD didn't really excite me. It's basically just a graphically enhanced GT4 meant to showcase the graphical capabilities of the PS3.

GT: HD has it's visuals in place. IT's physics are supposed to be tuned.

Halo is NOT going to achieve that amount of action with the level of detail they hinted at during E32K6. Period.

I'm not being hypocritical, I'm being realistic.

[Rev ATARI]

Originally Posted by tha_con

GT: HD has it's visuals in place. IT's physics are supposed to be tuned.

Halo is NOT going to achieve that amount of action with the level of detail they hinted at during E32K6. Period.

I'm not being hypocritical, I'm being realistic.

Your good at making me chuckle,