While it's just a taste of the real thing, Gran Turismo is Gran Turismo.
Now, you may be looking at my score and saying to yourself 'WHAAAAA????", but the score doesn't match the words because this is just the prologue to a possibly better, and bigger, full GT experience that spare any tragedies, will undoubtedly be worthy of that illusive 10 from me. It would be the first to do so. So, you may be looking at the score I gave this, but if I gave this a 10, I'd have to give Gran Turismo 5 a 17.
The first thing you'll notice about Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the visuals. There are times where the game looks like a screenshot from real life. The car models are all impressively detailed, and the lighting effects are stellar. Your driver's eyesight adjusts to the sun when you enter or exit dark areas, such as tunnels. It's this kind of detail that makes you appreciate just how great a game looks. The tracks are also immensely detailed and realistic, the reflections in the cars look superb, and simply put, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is one of the best looking games around. There are so many little things that constantly amaze you and will have you saying "Wow, I can't believe they took the time to do that."
If you've played any Gran Turismo games before, you know that they have great, realistic controls. Let me get this out of the way first: GT 4 has nothing on this. It's hard to put into words just how great that this game drives. Turning is much more smooth, as is braking, traction has been "next-gen-ified", and the new first person view adds something special to the experience. Every car drives differently, and every car is actually fun to drive. Now, the 63 HP Suzuki Cappuccino actually feels like a car, instead of a tin can, like in previous games. Some people will say that Forza has the most realistic feel, but you really need to play this game for more than 10 seconds to realize that you've never seen anything like this before. Every car in the game feels unique. Every last millimeter of the car reacts realistically to gravity and the actual track you happen to be on. It really makes it feel like you are actually driving the car. Burnout is the only racing game that's more fun than this, which is a huge increase from other titles in the series' past. Now, this really is The Drive of Your Life.
The new first person view is perfect. Every interior is done with superb accuracy and realism, the driver animations are great, and everything reflects on the windshield. It's really well done, and is only rivaled by the same view in DiRT. Also, borrowing an idea from Forza, and making it better, there is a driving line available for use. It's deadly accurate, and if you follow it properly, races can become a breeze. It's solid.
There are just over 70 cars and 6 tracks in Prologue, which may not seem like a lot, but it does have more cars than Need for Speed ProStreet, and more courses than the latest Hot Shots Golf. So, if you think that the game is bare boned, think again. The 6 tracks are all very unique, ranging from the Eiger Nordwand from HD Concept, to the Daytona Oval. London, Suzuka, Fuji, and the series favorite High Speed Ring also make appearances. Each track feels great to drive.
The 70 cars all range differently from the Suzuki Cappuccino, to Kiki Raikkonen's F1 Ferrari. You can unlock a few cars by winning races, but most are attained by being bought. I was able to finish all the challenges and races using just a handful of cars. It will take anybody a lengthy time to obtain every car in the game.
There are 3 classes full of races and challenges, but anybody can fly through all of them in about 10 hours. None of the races are particularly challenging, but there are a few that will test your skill pretty well. In addition to that, there is a complete online mode, where you can race others for credits. It's a little laggy in some parts, and some racers will try to make you crash, but it does work well, and you'll play it a lot. Gran Turismo has always had great split screen, and that's no different in Prologue. 2 player split screen is available, and it can get really competitive if you can pick the right cars and tracks.
There's also a pretty great soundtrack, and the engine sounds are top notch. There's no other racing game that does this better, and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue really sounds great.
That's about all there is to say about Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. It drives perfectly, looks perfect, sounds perfect, and has some pretty good tracks and game modes, and has a better sense of speed than any other GT before it. Even if you aren't a die hard GT fan, you need to pick it up. It's worthy of a 10, but then what would I give the REAL GT 5? Buy it.