Has anybody played this game? I got it last night. AMAZING! Definitly the best racing game i've played as far as realism goes. Theres a TON of cars in several classes, ranging from stock street cars to high performance F1 and touring cars.
The thing I like most about the game, though, is the many subtle details that makes it so realistic. For example, when you scrape your car up against a wall, the paint from your car rubs onto the wall and off of your car! I've never seen that before. The damage is very realistic as well; i.e. if you just bump into another car, you just scratch paint and get small dent; if you ram into the back of another car, bumpers, taillights, and other parts come flying off both car and scatter about on the track with incredible realism. The physics of wrecks, and the game in general, is just incredible. If you turn off TCS (traction control) and floor it, your wheels will just spin - you have to ease on the gas to get her going, just like you would in real life even with TCS.
Not to mention the graphics. Even during gameplay, it would be easy to mistake some camera angles for a real video of a real race. The sound effects are great too; every car has their own unique engine sound, and will change dramatically depending on what modifications you make to the engine (ie. exhaust; turbo/supercharger, or even whole new engine).
However, one thing I don't like is the very broad style of performance customization. For example, instead of being able to install a "Cold Air Intake" or a "2.5'' Diameter Cat-Back Exhaust," you can only choose from more general parts like "Performance Exhaust and Intake." I was really hoping to be able to choose from very specific parts. You can however significantly tweak how each part performs. You can adjust every imaginable setting for stuff like braking, wheel alignment, suspension, aerodynamic downforce, etc.
Heres what I give the game:
Driving Physics: 8.5
Car Damage/Realism: 9.5
Graphics: 9
Sound Effects: 8.5
Car Selection: 10
Customization: 7.5
Track selection: 7
Overall: 9
Whats hot: Stunning graphics, car realism, car selection
Whats not: Limited performance part customization
Thats my opinion, anyway
I'd love to hear what you guys think about this game too. For anybody who has played it, how does it compared to Gran Tourismo 4 (I don't have a PS2)?