Ben-DutkaWell, E3 is over and…I…'yawn' …okay, have to stay awake long enough to write this.
Do I have sudden reservations about Gran Turismo 5?
Yes. Yes, I do. I'm not doubting the game's quality; I'm absolutely convinced it will be as close to perfection as Yamauchi and Co. can get (their pursuit of a flawless production is why they're not releasing it now ). But at the same time, I realized I was looking at NASCAR in that trailer they showed off during Sony's E3 press conference. I knew there would be Rally, but then again, there always has been so it wasn't exactly a shock. And of course, the video was gorgeous…but here's the thing: I hate NASCAR. Hate it. I wish it would go away forever (even though I know it won't). I'm hoping all that NASCAR stuff will be optional in the game because I absolutely refuse to play it. I'm not interested in racing the same car everyone else has, continually turning left and hoping I don't nudge a car, crash, and spend the remainder of a 500-lap race in 37th place. I'm just not sure Yamauchi thought this one through; what GT fan walked up to him one day and said, "hey, you know what'd be awesome to have in GT5? NASCAR!" Yeah, I can pretty much guarantee that nobody said any such thing.
NASCAR fans will buy NASCAR games. I seriously doubt they'll buy GT5, which still has its focus in road racing. I also doubt that GT fans have any interest in NASCAR whatsoever, and because a lot of that trailer involved the one racing sport I hate more than anything else – with the lone exception of NHRA – I have to admit to being a little perturbed. They're not really going to make me do this, are they? Please God, don't let it be so…
Castlevania = direct God of War rip-off?
So that "mask" turned out to be the logo for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow , and as great as that trailer was, it just doesn't feel like Castlevania . Yeah, I knew it couldn't possibly be 2D in this day and age but even so, this franchise always had a very distinct atmosphere and flair to it. It was darker and more mystical, as most any good vampire production should be…and that leads me to my next issue: there are going to be vampires in this game, right? Isn't that the point of the original CV? Richter Belmont? You know, the vampire hunter? Then there was Dracula's son, Alucard, in Symphony of the Night ? In that trailer, it appears the new character is Gabriel and he fights all sorts of amazing-looking beasts, but I really felt like I was looking at another GoW iteration. Since the success of that franchise, third-person action games have been taking cues from SCEA's efforts for years, but this may be a little blatant. I mean, does anyone notice how close that whip is to Kratos' default blades? And look at how the game moves…
I'm not necessarily complaining because I love GoW. And if Konami makes it good, I'll definitely want to play it. But it almost seems like the death of a classic franchise when I watch that trailer. Honestly, I think they should've brought Richter back in next-gen form and continued a story from the old NES Castlevania s, or something. And obviously, there's zero chance of ever seeing Alucard return in a SotN sequel, but that's what I'd dream about.
Personal gaming update
So while I had plenty of fun with Red Faction: Guerrilla , I still find inFamous to be more fun and indeed, even addictive. I'm one mission from advancing into the second portion of the city, and I've taken the time to liberate 100% of the Neon District. I did all the side missions I could find and I'm going the complete Hero route, just 'cuz I think I'll get cooler powers and stuff. I could be wrong; I don't know, but I've already got those grenades, this concentrated blast that really does damage, the lightning that chains to other enemies if you get a headshot, and this new ability that slows down time and basically lets you snipe with your power. It drains a ton of energy really fast, but it's still major cool. Just running around the city seems to be endless fun. 🙂
After this, I figure I'll return to FFVIII, maybe until my birthday rolls around in early August and I can get Resident Evil 5 , which I unfortunately missed out on. Beyond that, I'm just waiting on the super huge titles of the fall, although I'll be interested to see how Batman: Arkham Asylum turns out… As for anything else, I can't really think of anything. Besides the fact that women really are insane and I'm just about ready to say g'bye to all crazy people. No need to over-complicate my life. Really.
Nascar is really really lame.
Not if you like racing and car set-up.
sorry that was insensitive, I personally just can't hang with cars going in circles. Would take a lot of beer…
a whole lotta beer indeed
OK I will accept NASCAR in GT5 only if I can run the other drivers off the road and make them go up in flames and blow up, because that's the only reason people watch NASCAR for the the crashes like in that one Simpsons episode
Well that is an ignortant statement if I've ever heard one. I don't like NASCAR, hell I don't even watch it. But really man? Really?
Ya, thats incredibly ignorant. Nowadays wrecks don't happen very often. The cars are getting more and more stable, the car that spins out and the cars trying to avoid him.
Only people with no geniune interest in the sport watch for crashes.
I admit my excitement at watching the trailer for 'Lords of Shadow' didn't come close to the excitement I felt when I heard (a). the next-gen 'Castlevania' is coming (b). Hideo Kojima will be involved (even though his involvement seems minor, by what I've read), but I'll likely give it a chance no matter what.
Oh, and I must agree with you, Ben. That trailer didn't really have that 'Castlevania' feel to it to me, either.
It did remind me of 'God of War' (and 'God of War'-like games), as well as the trailers for 'Oblivion' (probably due to Patrick Stewart, though).
All of my friends like nascar, but I personally can't stand it. I'm glad and surprised to hear so many people on this site say they don't like nascar.
I have a cousin that races NHRA and that's not so bad, at least they're not going in circles.
Infamous is very addictive, it's one of the best games I've played on PS3.
I totally 100% Disagree with you Ben. NASCAR is an awesome addition. First off NASCAR is the only sport like itself. 850hp 7.4L Carburated V8 monsters that can run for 500laps under a blistering sun. Thats awesome right there.
Secondly, Picture this. You grab your number 88 Chevy Stock Car(NASCAR) and you create a race online of mixed competition. A few drivers have similar Stock cars to yours, other have DTM and GT3 cars, the 3 classes have a tournament show down. While the NASCARs lack the handling and agility of the other 2…they make up for it in brute force.
Furthermore with the car of tomorrow, the cars are better suited than ever for the purposes in GT.
Ben it seems you have forgotten what GT is really about. GT/road course racing, sure there will be even more ovals in GT5Full but it would be foolish to think that new gen NASCAR fans like myself would only want to drive around an oval for 500 laps.
Me ? I plan on grabbing a NASCAR ASAP and running and testing it around the Ring and Suzuka as well as Fuji. I'll still do Stock car only races but at least as much as that, i'll be GT racing my NASCARs especially if i can drop weight down by any degree.
Lastly ben, believe it or not you are a minority here. Many GT fans prefer GT racing by far over NASCAR/stock car racing but they still have alot of taste for it, and want it included.
Hell a year or so ago on the PSU forums almost everybody HATED the idea of NASCAR and now that they saw the trailer even the most opposed haters from that time a year ago love the idea of NASCAR.
Forget just NASCAR circuit racing, this opens the whole world of GT up for a new level "race car" competition. What's not to love about a 850hp 7.4L classicly built V8 powerhouse, especially when the torque figures match hp or break the hp figure.
people love the idea of having NASCAR cars in GT5 they just hate the idea of driving in circles.
@RusteDalex
Indeed. They could put BIgWheel racing in the game, so long as a) I don't *have* to do it, and b) they bloody well release the game before 2010.
I'm not a fan of Nascar, I have watched some of it on TV only for hoping I see a huge pile-up. Every Nascar game has always sucked, Ea ever put any effort into making a decent Nascar game, the visuals were always piss poor. After seeing the GT5 trailer I have to admit I got quite excited about including Nascar in the game. When I think to myself why, I think its because I know how awesome GT games are and I must think that somehow Poly will make Nascar a fun part of GT. I don't know how but I think they'll have some interesting ideas?
I do feel Ben you could have said the exact same thing about them including Rally into GT games if you didnt like Rally and thought the sport was pointless. But I do get where your coming from.
Last edited by bamf on 6/7/2009 9:52:34 AM
The rally stages have offered more than their fair share of frustration in the past – point.
Well said Bamf. Just because its NASCAR, remember PDs attention/eye for quality. There's going to be NASCAR but its going to be the highest quality experience yet.
I think in 1p mode, NASCAR will be like Formula 1 was in GT3 and GT4. It will probably a long championship with each race being 150-200 laps depending on course length, there will be some ovals but probably some GT classics like Midfield raceway, High Speed Ring etc and the NASCAR road courses, watkins glen, Circuit Villenueve.
I think there might be a few NASCAR endurance races in the Endurance hall.
Online would be up to you.
I just hope that the Nascar thing is optional cause I just find it very boring but I think that will will attract more people to GT5 so the more the merrier.BTW Cole's powers are twice as bad ass being evil than good.
i have a very similar dislike for NASCAR, but i completely disagree with you on thinking it was a mistake to put it in the game. i think they should put as many official race series in GT5 as they can get. make it as realistic as possible with as many realistic options as possible…
i can't imagine that you'll HAVE to play in a series that you don't want to.
It should have been a major clue when Prologue came out with Nascar tracks. Adding all this Nascar to the game is probably why we have had to wait an extra year for the game to be released. I like Nascar, and I think Polyphony would make the best Nascar game available, but I think it should be a game of it's own, and not included in GT5.
whaaa again Konami ??? they still don't understand Castlevania on 3D = Fail
they must do a 2D ACTION/RPG using all the power of the next gen consoles.
Fully agree
2.5D Castlevania = 10/10
I agree that a 2D 'Castlevania' would very likely be better than a 3D title, but I'm still not going to pass judgement on 'Lords of Shadow' until I see a lot more of it.
Last edited by Jalex on 6/7/2009 10:12:36 PM
I must be in the minority when I say I did like what Konami was trying to do with C:LoI and C:CoD. I think they had the right idea but ended up with 2 so-so games although personally I really did like C:LoI just because of the fact that game gave us the background on why the Belmont's are cursed to fight the undead.
I do agree however that a Castlevania game in 2.5D with the tech of this gen would rule and I would never see the sun, just like the undead. Even better include Alucard and that game would be a must buy for me.
Last edited by sunspider13 on 6/9/2009 2:39:08 AM
This is the first time I've disagreed with you Ben on any post. First off NASCAR rules… for I'd like to see you get into one of those cup card and try turning out 400 laps at dover. You would have a wholly new found respect for all the drivers. Second It's obvious you havent been to an actual race…who knows…It might change your mind. Your bias against NASCAR shows it's colors in this post so maybe your not the right person to comment on it. All your doing is alienating a whole lot of die hard NASCAR fans in the process who WANT this! When I saw the demo live during sonys press confrence, I about shit my pants. It gave me goosebumps! EA ain't putting it out no more…Who better than polyphony(BTW the EA versions were totally disappointing)
You also try to make a point about F1 and REAL drivingdrivers…yet the best drivers from F1 and Indy are all coming to NASCAR Juan Montoya ,Scott Speed, Sam Hornish just to name a few and will ALL tell you where the best drivers in the world race! At least you call it a sport. Your stereotypical vews of NASCAR (a'la average haters)is very evident, Just is as your ignorant views of the sport. ya got blinders on!
Just because you don't like NASCAR doesn't mean it's a bad idea… Personally I think it belongs there!…But I guess I'm somewhat biased myself!!…P.S. Mark Martin RULES!!! GO #5!!!!
Where's my first comment!?!
Wasn't it 6?
Thats a hell of a way to get me all fired up on a sunday morning before the cup race…Talk bad about NASCAR…Right before the RACE!!!
Hey Ben… Me and you bud! Let's go to some races… I guarntee you'll have a different point of view! Don't knock it until you tried it bro!!!
Your post cracked me up. Thanks.
agreed. Ur posts are pretty comical.
Look! They're making a left turn!
Look! They're making another left turn!
Goes into commercial, comes back 5 minutes later and…
Look! They're making a left turn!
You didn't miss a f#&%!ng thing
Don't forget that they pee in a bottle for their celebratory golden shower at the end.
Oh, c'mon now. It was a joke. Don't get so prudish on me now.
Gotta love Jeff Dunham lol. Thanks for making me remember that 🙂
You forgot the obligatory caution laps with a pace car and the frenetic pit action – as Fox breaks for a commercial…
I'm a hardcore race fan. I actually participate in various amateur race events myself in RL. I race a Corvette, and I have trophies to prove I'm pretty good at it.
And I agree with you that NASCAR is boring. It's not about racing. There's relatively little driver skill involved. It's a spectator sport, and spectators watch it for all the wild crashes. It's easy for spectators to understand. Whereas road racing takes some in depth understanding to appreciate.
However…
I don't feel too concerned that NASCAR is being included in GT5. Gran Turismo has already branched into various other forms of racing. And they haven't required players to play through those forms to 'win the game'. You get to the end credits by beating the road racing series, and I'm sure that won't change.
For instance, they've never required you to play the endurance racing series. You weren't required to play through rally either. I'm sure they're not going to require you to play through NASCAR either.
Personally, what I'm more concerned about is the inclusion of drifting. GT5 prologue exhibits an unrealistic amount of oversteer in all of the rear wheel drive cars… presumably to facilitate the drifting events. I find that _very_ annoying. I don't want them to sacrifice the realism accuracy of the game in a play for drifting fans.
Of course, I see a lot of people singing praises for that saying it's more realistic, not less. This is people who drive front wheel drive cars in RL, and believe rear wheel drive cars have 'huge amounts of oversteer'. I've driven and/or raced lots of rear wheel drive vehicles in RL. They don't.
Anyway… I'll just deal with it. You can still tune the cars, so I just tune the crazy oversteer out of it until it feels like a real car. Problem solved.
I'll probably try the NASCAR a bit just to confirm I still don't like it. And then ignore it like probably a lot of their existing fans will. And I think Polyphony expects that.
I have to agree with you on the oversteer on rear wheel drive cars. That drives me nuts, as well and I too have to adjust the vehicles to compensate for it. I prefer rear wheel drive cars because I find them a lot more fun. In real life, that is.
I'm rather hoping that the over-steer you're referring to is simply another tuning option. Prologue has no tuning, so I am coning to hope that they simply added a little over-steer to whet our appetite.
Prologue has no tuning ? What are you talking about ?
Its called Quick Tune and you can tune performance AND the suspension and transmission settings, all of which directly affect oversteer.
Ya, I know Prologue has no tuning – shame on PD.
I was meaning that I would hope that in the full game the over-steer that's present in Prologue would only be there as a tunable option. Instead of being ever present as it is on rear wheel drive cars in Prlogue.
It has tuning, pretty full fledged, what you're looking for is the process of actually buying parts, i love that too but we'll have to wait a bit.
Ben, if you are an American and have no interest in NASCAR, then the Europeans (who mainly buy this game)will say the same as you. So I just hope its an option what was just shown at E3 for the US audience.
Nice week review 🙂
Being American doesn't mean you have to like Nascar.
Freedom of choice*
I am as American as anyone else.
Am not saying beening American you have to like NASCAR. I'm saying most Europeans Don't like NASCAR where the game sells well.
Oh so it doesn't sell well in the US?
Well it doesn't in comparison to Europe.
I am not a fan of NASCAR (I find it really dull, like many others here),and outside of America it REALLY isn't a popular sport. So I think that SCEA had a part to play in PD adding it to GT5 purley to boost sales of the PS3 in the US.
I think this is simply another example of Japanese developers thinking that they have to look west and emulate EA, Activision, Bungie or whoever. I am hoping that at some point Japanese game developers will wake up a realize the insanity of doing this, and get back to simply developing a good game.
I like NASCAR, in that I appreciate the complexities of the motorsport. I think it is an extremely grueling and challenging form of racing. It's fine if the races are in GT5's career, I just hope they're not full fledged 250 laps. 20 laps, at most.
Exactly. Don't like the sport. Fine. But at least respect it, and what the drivers do.
Point out where I said anything besides opinion or even INFERRED that it takes no skill.
GT5Full is supposed to have a brand new B-spec mode, you're the race director so if races like that are present Arnold, you could probably get your B-spec Bob(driver) to do them for you.
I don't think there will be many of those, probably only 1-2 endurances.
2nd biggest spectator sport in the US. 2nd only to the NFL. FACT.
Ignorance IS bliss!