This game makes a lot of claims, but fulfills very few.
What a disappointment this game is.
To be honest, you don't have to go much further than the back of the box to see what this game is lacking:
"A more complete package than Gran Turismo 5 Prologue" says CVG. Well thanks for that. What, the way you compared a full game to what is essentially a demo. And actually, I disagree. GT5P, albeit an incomplete "game" has more on offer than FCTP. More modes, more cars, more customisation.
"Over 50 Ferrari cars" says the back of the box. Well System 3 better learn to count because 23 cars available on the disc does not equal 50 cars. Sure, I'm guessing we'll be nickle and dimed for "DLC" that will likely just unlock content already on the disc, but if the house you're selling is single story, don't tell people it's double.
"Real life crash damage". Hang on, they've got this all wrong. What they meant to say was "Real life cosmetic damage". No, you won't drop a gear box in this game. The worst you'll do it scuff up the side of your car.
Yes, this game is lacking.
Customisation is basic at best, offering only to modify a small handful of parts to either a "soft" or "hard" setting, and that's only available for one of the 23 cars.
Graphics are passable but far from GT5P's near photo-realistic sheens. Bonnet view puts a blotchy mess right under your nose, while your rear view mirror has all the high definition of a PS1 title. You can't tell what's going on in your mirror until it's right up behind you.
Sound is good, all the usual fare. Songs, all 6 of them, grind after a while and force you to load up your own custom soundtracks.
But while the game does have some good challenges in it, nothing is more challenging than the bone-headed AI you're constantly pitted against. Every race is a "level" playing field where you and your opponents will all be driving the same car. However, for some reason, your opponents seem to benefit from greater acceleration and good ol' "elastic band" physics. In the few short months since this game has been released, it has had 3 software updates aimed at ironing out bugs, among them the "overly aggressive nature of the AI". If they consider the new AI to be more sporting, I'd hate to think what the first iteration was like. Opponents regularly slam you behind, roadblock you, or "stick" to you in a peculiar thing where they grind you from the side and you are powerless to shake them without hard braking.
For the PS3 owner, if you're into trophies, then this will appease you on that front, but be warned, some of the gold trophies and very tough.
For the racing fan, I'd save your money for GT5, even if it is many moons away.