What's with the low score Gamespot? This game is simulation fan's dream come true.!
The garage setting/tuning options are quite good but are not quite as well laid out or eas extensive as in GT4. Some settings are in percentages, but most can be adjusted in numerical values. Any simulation fan won't be disappointed with any of the settings options especially when you can adjust tire pressure (a feature sorely missing from Gran Turismo). You can lock up the tires while braking (another plus) and damage modeling is quite nicely done with tires and parts flying everywhere. There is no way to damage your car in Time Trial mode, which I find strange, but during a Grand Prix event you can damage your car in all of the practice, warm up, qualifying laps, etc.
The sound is incredible and did I mention the graphics? The tracks are the most incredible I have ever seen in a racing game on any platform. The lighting is fantastic, although I wish that every time trial did not take place in early morning/late afternoon light as it makes areas of the tracks either too dark or too bright as you drive towards/away from the sun. Not a big deal though.
The car models are perfect. The textures on the cars, when viewed up close with one of the many replay cameras, are very high resolution with smooth edges all around. Beyond compare. Also, you can save your replays!
I don't understand the low scores that Gamespot and IGN gave this game. When you see a field of 22 High Def cars roaring past on a High Def track at a high frame rate in 720p with not a hint of slowdown you will shake your head in disbelief. Lowering a review score because a game is "focused" is incorrect in my opinion. Does Madden get a low score because it focuses only on football? As for the complaints about difficulty, I have been playing the game for about three hours now and I have turned off all of the driving assists (the first thing I did) and I use the manual transmission. I am not an expert and I won't be winning races or setting any lap records it is just that the game has such depth that it is endlessly rewarding to set it up that way. Highly, highly recommended.