Good game, but not a racing sim
I initially reviewed this game pretty low on the scale because on first play, I seriously did not like it. After playing both GT3 and GT4, this game really looked pixelated and dull, and handled rather poorly in my opinion. However, I'm always willing to give a game a second shot, and after a few hours, I can say that it's much better on second impression but it still doesn't take the true racing sim crown from GT4.
I found that this game seemed to be answering all the flaws of GT4 - damage and it's affect on your car in real time, car customization with paint schemes and decals/logos, selling parts you no longer need, an interesting and unique way to sell your car for different money based on region selected, and nice telemetry add-ons like time spent off the track and time difference from not only the lead car but the car in front (if not the lead) and car behind you.
However, the drawbacks to me are too big to ignore, and overrule the things they did right. The biggest part is the 'dynamic racing line' that you can use, which I find the biggest cheating tool I've ever seen in a racing game. I understand why they put it into the game, but as far as it training you how to drive on the new unfamiliar courses, I find it counter-productive because you spend all your time watching the line and none on watching the course, where the turns are, and what speeds you take them with. The best way to train yourself is to turn it off, but with such a small penalty for using it (15% off earnings), and the fact that so far in my game it doesn't ever turn off on it's own, there isn't a really good reason to ever not use it. That immediately removes it from the simulation genre to me and places it to 'arcade game'.
The other big issue I have is the supposedly amazing graphics. Quite frankly, I was less than impressed at the presentation. I found it looking rather dull when it should be shiny. The sunny days look cloudy, and on any day race you can't see the brakelights unless you are right behind the lead car. Night races look much better, but I should still see them in the day unless the sun is right behind me reflecting off the other car. And while the backgrounds to the track look great, overall it has a terribly animated look to it. Try as they might have, they really didn't come close to the photo-quality finish of GT4.
And of minor issue is the AI. I found it just as bad as GT series in that they fight hard for the racing line, and don't give a care about slamming you off the track. And with damage in this game, it makes it all the more frustrating. I'm imagining that online play becomes nothing but a demo derby, where it's not about who's fastest but who is willing to take more risks slamming the other drivers off the road or into the walls.
So in the end, the game is fun to play, but a racing sim it simply is not.
So play it for kicks.