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.
I can't say that I agree on your comments about putting NASCAR into GT5 at all. I know several people that are just astounded by the graphics and feeling of GT5 and that also love nascar. My roommate, for instance, love GT5, and nascar, he bought nascar 09 for the ps3 and was utterly dissapointed when it wasn't even close to the quality of GT5:prologue. When I told him they had the nascar license showing in the E3 trailer of the game, he was very excited!
A lot of Americans love nascar, and if they become aware of the incredible realism of GT5 they will most likely pick the game up. It's all about how Sony will advertise the game when it finally comes out (not saying they should sell it as a nascar game, but if they show off the amazing graphics, the hundreds of cars, the great variation of tracks, and the different licenses they've got, nascar included, I think GT5 will sell VERY well in the states). Less is not always more, especially not when it comes to videogames 🙂
I'm so glad they included NASCAR in GT5. I'm a big race fan of F1, Indy Car, Rally, and NASCAR. The Grand Am and Rolex series are also fun to watch but no real competition on track.
If you are a big fan of racing you would understand why it is included. NASCAR is one of the most popular race series in the world.
Danica Patrick is considering leaving Indy Cars to race in NASCAR just like many other drivers have done. Tony Stewart didn't start in NASCAR but NASCAR is what made him a well known name in racing.
I have to totally disagree wih Ben on this one because I for one jumped for joy when I saw that E3 trailer. EA sports has never done NASCAR justice, thank goodness for Polyphony Digital.
And it is not just about turning left, if you watched the sport you would understand. Also I live in New York so this is not just for race fans in the southern US.
I think its great. NASCAR is a style of racing. Its all about slip streaming / gaining speed from the car in front and using the outward force on the corners to power you in to the straits, whilst not writing the car off in to the wall and everyone else at top speed. Its completely different to Rally, F1, road racing etc, but still requires a lot of skill to get round quicker than everone else..(shame on people for thinking its driving in a circle, tut tut, call your selves true racing game fans 🙂
Im from the uk and am not into watchin NASCAR at all. I cant even remember watching any full races to be honest. But if any one here has played prologue to the end (using gears and trying to get golds on each race), they would know that certain races (not NASCAR ones) depend on this style of driving (drafting / slipstreaming the car in front) or you cant win the race.
I was really excited when I saw NASCAR in the treailer, because to me it ment POLY are trying to incude a massive amount of depth to the game. If they can shoe horn F1 and Touring Car in there, it might just be the best driving / racing sim of all time.
Looks like danmage and weather effects are coming also (which to me, are there hardest goals as they have to look and react as good as the rest of the game)
Bring it on POLY, i want everything…
Last edited by wano on 6/7/2009 8:48:20 AM
Nascar seems to be more of a buisness aproach than anything. think of it, now not only will they have the normal GT fans, but they will have quite a bit extra customers with nascar in it. personally im going to avoid playing the nascar races as much as possible but im sure there is going to be a lot of people to buy it just for the nascar, just like people just buy it for the rally, and etc. you cant tell me that your not going to pick it up just because it has nascar in it, if anything you should be happy that they added just that many more features to the game, the more the marier.
I thought it was pretty gay at first. nascar is like pro wrestling. but then me and my friend have always wondered what a nascar would do around the top gear test track…it will be funny. plus everyone will see how nascars compare to real cars. i love it.
I completely agree with you about Castlevania
I actually thought the same when i watched the trailer!
and a continuation… well i was never able to complete the original Castlevania (which i havent played in some years); so i would have to pick it up again before i played that… just so i could have that feeling of accomplishment.
You know… im going to do it anyways. I guess I may as well put my nintendo wii to use.
Last edited by ThugNificent101 on 6/6/2009 11:46:42 PM
Couldn't agree more with you on GT5 and NASCAR – at least with regard to whether or not we *have* to race some NASCAR to finish the game. I hate and abhor NASCAR racing as well, it's pointless circling of an airfield in cars that started life as bootleggers rides. That's why they run on ethanol….
Anyway, I digress. I live in the Southern US and *I* still dislike this idea. Please Polyphony, don't make me play NASCAR, if I wanted to play NASCAR I'd go buy an EA game. Please note, I haven't ever done that, so why would I start now?
I live in NC myself, and I cant stand NASCAR either. Now, Formula1. Oh yeah! I can get into that!
I agree with you about leaving nascar out. If I want play nascar I will pick it up by EA. I'm surprised we never saw that coming since they included the Daytona track in Prologue. Now about your NHRA gripe, the one thing I was dissapointed in GT4 was the drag racing event ended up being a time trial and not a 2 player event. Yamauchi stated it would end up being in GT4 but it never made it.
I'm far from being a NASCAR fan but I can understand why they would add NASCAR, it's popular and it's on almost every major channel why not cash in on it?
Based on GT's reputation as a true racing sim I think it's going to attract a lot of people who love NASCAR and who own a PS3 or it's going to get people out to the stores to get a PS3.
Commenting on the personal gaming note: I'm going to cash in on late birthday gifts so hopefully I'll be playing "Infamous" and "Ghostbusters" the video game by the end of the month.
I'm not a Netcar fan either. Never considered it a "sport". It's an event. I don't have a mullet and I am not shocked when they turn left into one turn that somehow they say is two. I know many people LOVE Netcar but I could never get into it. Now formula racing, there's a driver's "sport".
Formula one is true sport ? You do know that FIA has been paying Ferrari 80 million a season to keep them in it for the past 4-5 years right ?
Formula One is flawed to the core.
I have No Mullet and my surname doesn't qualify as a first name so your point is very ignorant. Any number of people from all walks of life love NASCAR, step out from under your rock.
But with all the crap i believe about F1, i still like the sport alot..im screwed.
lol!!!
A mullet…
I didn't know Dikes liked NASCAR…
Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 6/9/2009 5:41:34 AM
Ben, I finished playing through as evil Cole and I must say that, "I never felt so good being a bad guy"! Started going through as good Cole today. As far as LOS I'll stick with GOWIII.
Good…bad… I'm the guy with the lightening bursts.
HA.
I can see why they put Nascar in the game. Like Gogaku said, I'm sure some nascar fans out there will want the quality of a game like GT. But PLEASE GOD dont make me do it. Driving around in a circle for three hours isnt my thing. Racing looses a lot when you can only turn in one direction. It's like one of those cheap old radio control cars.
I guess castlevania is one of those games I missed out on. I was one of the kids who had a genesis, and never played on playstation, but I can understand your frustration.
inFamous = cocane in blu-ray form. I HAVE TO FIND ALL THE SHARDS!!! At least they show up on the radar. I love being a super hero, except the part where water kills you. But I live in west texas so It's not like I have to worry about falling in a river or anything.
I agree with everything you put about NASCAR. I don't want to turn left.
I've played NASCAR games and couldn't get into any of them.
The only good NASCAR games were the ones Papyrus made for the PC years ago. I'm not a NASCAR fan, and never will be, but those were some fun games. In my opinion NASCAR needs to go the way of the dinosaurs. It's pointless and takes TV time away from the other sports. I live here in the South and am so sick of hearing about it and being forced to see it tattooed on every other persons vehicle. Please be just an option in GT5.
They should put point to point races(like initial d), or drag but nascar??? common!!!
Point to point tracks are sweet!!!
God I miss those! :*(
GT2 had Pikes Peak! FUN FUN FUN!
Wish there were some really good point to point racing games. The only one I can think of is Rally Cross for ps1.
Last edited by Scarecrow on 6/7/2009 2:57:44 AM
like Outrun? okay why the lack and why have I only seen Initial D in a arcade cabinet in Belfast it's disappointing that it isn't released in Europe
I def agree with you in regards to the Nascar statement, but Lords of Shadow still looks good. I mean, seriously, it is Kojima Productions that involved in the game. And every Castlevania game had different enemies and not just vampires.
If any game looks more like a GOW knock off it would be Metroid: Project M. The new Metroid was just made so Nintendo can say "Hey, we make titles for hardcore gamers"…Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Nintendo, you need to stay in your own lane and stick to making games for The Brady Bunch families.
On a side note, I saw The Hangover. Hands down best buddy movie of the last 10 years (yes its better then American Pie, Old School, and Wedding Crashers). Pure comedy.
Yeah I don't like NASCAR at all, one bit, not even a little but the point is GT5 is the ultimate racing game and whether or not any of us like it NASCAR is still racing so its in there. I know plenty of people who look at GT series and get pissed of that Honda Odyssey and trucks in there. GT5 will be the best racing sim for everyone so I have to put my personal objections aside as well.
Post of the weekend. You hate NASCAR but are objective enough to understand why its in the game and how many people like it. Thanks man, you're a cut above some people here, its okay to hate NASCAR but don't ruin it for others.
Understanding why it's there is all fine and well, but it doesn't alter the fact that racing ovals is boring. Really boring. Racing an oval is about as exciting as balancing a checkbook, or trying to read an Applied Math text book cover to cover in one night.
I suspect that a lot of people could care less if it's included so long as they aren't force to do NASCAR races as part of completing the game.
Regarding your comments above about F1 and Ferrari, you kinda need to throw a link into that otherwise your accusation looks like nothing more than a churlish accusation. On a broader note, F1 hasn't been truly competitive racing for years. Numerous rule changes to the 'sport' have made overtaking during races very difficult and as a result more races are won based on starting position, pit strategy and car reliability than anything else. Pretty poor considering just how exciting F1 used to be, in days gone by.
Highlander, your opinion on ovals being boring is just that.
I don't need to give you a link for my accusations, if you don't know about what went on, thats your problem.
No offense.
NO offense, and I never said that my opinion on ovals was anything other than my opinion.
If you can't/won't supply a link for what you're saying about Ferrari, that's fine. I don't really care wither was as I gave up watching F1 when it became little more than a 70 lap formation parade from start to finish, punctuated by pit stops and predictable breakdowns.
Still it's pretty weak to throw out an accusation about an entire sporting body and not have at least one link to post when challenged. No offense though…
None taken dude. Some of the worst parts of F1 as you said have less to do with FIAs financial arrangements.
I try to watch F1 as the cars are gorgeous and the highest form of auto racing but its painful.
F1 season used to be the best part of the year for me, the technology is still amazing, and the speed and handling put the cars on a knife's edge between safe and disaster. But over the years, supposedly in the cause of safety, a lot of rule changes have hamstrung car designers and teams. I stopped watching a few years before Murray Walker finally retired, but by then I was already very disgusted with the whole event, and it almost seems now that the qualifying round is more interesting than the actual race.
Ya, i hear that. I watch F1 alot the past few seasons to watch the lower budget teams fight each other. When the camera would/does focus on them it makes for some good racing.
Its good to see Brawn, a privateer winning, how long it lasts, we'll see.
It's just plain ignorant to act like there's no merrit to NASCAR. I don't like it either, but it's obviously not as simple as going around in circles.
As for lord of shadows, I think it looks a million times better than dantes inferno. Seriously, I'm so pissed about that game, and frankly I can't believe anyone would call lord of shadows out before flaming dantes inferno (pun not intended).
Awesome post. You don't like NASCAR but you have some respect to realise its a hell of a lot harder than just turning left all day long. I wish it was that easy, ild be a real driver.
NASCAR is fundamentally Oval racing. Which is precisely as simple as turning left all day. Yes, it's an endurance race for the driver and the car, but it's not a test of driving skill as much as it is endurance. How many races in NASCAR are won by the driver's skill instead of reliability, pit strategy, speed of pitstop, and pure luck based on where you are when the pace car comes out on a yellow flag?
Before you say it, the same things are true of Indy and F1. F1 used to be different, but it's changed greatly over the last 20 years. Cart racing has actually got better in recent years. IMHO of course.
But really, let's be honest, NASCAR is the poster child of simple oval racing.
Lol @ Highlander, "how many races are won by a drivers skill and not reliability etc etc…."
All of them…because it doesn't matter how reliable or trouble free a car is…if the driver can't drive the thing properly he won't "be there at the end of the day". He won't be in First position nor will he be able to outlast others on car alone. Endurance racing is all about that, but it doesn't matter how long your car can last if you don't have the driver to keep it at the front.
You say oval racing is soo simple, man ild love to see you do 300laps in 100 degree plus fahrenheit cockpit. Don't try running some crap like you wouldn't because you find it boring…if you were in the car at a race, you'ld be anything but bored.
NASCAR is so simple ? Ya…going through a turn at 145mph and then blazing down a straightaway to a top speed of 210mph is boring? All the while having just a paper's width between you and the guy in front of you and only 3 inches of clearance from the guy to your immediate left. It takes a hell of alot of skill to drive so fast through such corners and not hit everybody else.
Sure everybody focuses on the crashes that happen in NASCAR but nobody focuses on the 98% of the race that has virtually no contact or accidents.
It takes a hell of alot of skill and genuine mettle to be a NASCAR driver. By your decree highlander Montoya should be dominating NASCAR given he was the only driver who could hold pace with Schumachers F1 car…but i don't think he's won a race yet.
You can't say its the car because…even with such a more primitive car..NASCAR is supposed to be SOOO easy right Highlander?
Nope and thats why a great driver like Montoya still licks the cats @$$, its not his fault its just a very hard/competitive sport.
Xanavi,
You really do need to stop taking this like it's some challenge to you personally. Just because someone thinks oval racing is boring and requires less skill than another kind of racing does not require you to pop off as you have.
I already acknowledged that oval racing is a race of endurance both of the car and driver. But I stand by my assertion that it does not take as much driving skill as a road course. Oval racing has a very specific set of skills, but from a pure driving point of view Rally and Road racing exercise a far broader range of driving skills.
I don't much care either way since I'm not now, nor have I ever been a big fan of NASCAR, and so as far as I am concerned it's of no consequence either way, so long as I am not forced to participate.
Im not taking this as a challenge, but i'll be damned if i'll let someone put down the great feats of another man willy nilly.
I respect NASCAR drivers thus i stick up for them. This comment section is meant to be a place where we converse, n'est ce pas ?
I'm with Ben on this. Nascar is one of the worst thing, if not the worst thing that ever happened to racing.
Everything that surrounds Nascar is dirty. And I don't wanna spend 2-3 hours racing a stupid looking car around a circle.
If you love GT as much as you say you do you would welcome a new form of racing into the GT world. Come on now.
I agree with you Ben. NASCAR is stupid, plain and simple
but i highly doubt that the game will focus too much on it anyway so it's whatever
NASCAR IS THE BIGGEST WASTE OF GASOLINE EVER!!!
So follow the leader on most road course racing is much more exciting right?
I fall asleep during some of the F1 races on TV but that doesn't make it a bad sport.
See what you started Ben, a forum of Hate……and you always preach against it….I'm sad now.
Ya, Ben did cause alot of ignorance with his editorial today. Its okay not to like it, but there's way too much ignorance here..
F1 is so good ? Its a farce, starting with FIA paying Ferrari 80 million a season for 4-5 years to keep them in the sport. 80Million to any other team, even BMW would have made all the different in terms of competitiveness. At least NASCAR continually tries to change for the better, F1 just becomes more of a joke due to its governing body.
Don't mean to rip you Ben but your write on NASCAR was flawed. Some of the fastest guys in GT, that'll put 5 seconds a lap on you, love NASCAR, want NASCAR.
So many fans who love Le Mans racing…WANT NASCAR….but you lead people to believe that just because you and a few others don't want NASCAR, that us GT veterans don't. You don't like NASCAR so you proceed to assume for us Ben ? Don't speak for others when you don't know what they think or want because no disrespect, you're pretty off base.
Many of us GT vets did wake up one day and say; "Hey we love roadcourse/GT racing…taht should take the priority in every single GT game, never should change….but hey, a little NASCAR wouldn't hurt."
i never said F-1 was any better did i??
it's not that much better than nascar
but it is slightly more exciting
and…..
personally i have never heard any of my buddies that are die hard GT fans say they want NASCAR in GT
but whatever
Last edited by Qwarktast1c on 6/7/2009 6:18:36 PM
Ya need more buddies?
I don't know if anybody is gonna read this now but don't worry everyone putting a little Nascar in isn't gonna hurt anyone. Don't forget Prologue also has 1 Ferrari F1 car in the game and just because you didn't see it in the trailer doesn't mean F1 racing isn't gonna be in the game as well. Bet we see all the F1 cars as well. We will also see all the American and European LeMans cars as well and many of the tracks they race on.
So there is gonna be something for everyone no matter what tickles your fancy. So don't any one panic. Just relax. And it is true, adding all those forms of racing is gonna attract millions to the game. You want GT5 to be the PS3 hardware seller don't you? Well by incorporating top technical quality and all those race formats to the game it is gonna rock the world. So cmon lets be incredibly happy!!
Also in regards to FM3 in an interview I saw, Dan Greenwalt is also gonna have stockcars in the game even tho he didn't acquire the Nascar license like PD did. So it's not the end of the world.
Last edited by HOODGE on 6/8/2009 5:24:06 AM
I loved my playthrough of inFAMOUS on infamous. The evil power rocks and its so helpful.
However as you will see been, Homing Rockets kicks all forms of ass, but the hero only power kinda sucks