Racing Fans, Gran Turismo 5 + G25 Logitech Steering Wheel

[XxSizzleXx]

Are there any big racing fans out there who love to drive cars? I have always been a big racing and Gran Turismo fan(have everyone including Prologue) but nothing comes close to the realism that this game + steering wheel bring. it is absolutely the most realistic racing game you will ever play with this thing. Any others who have tried this combo? If your into gaming you simply have to try it out, you'll be hooked from the get go as the wheel honestly makes the game 10x funner.

I have turned my coffee table into a racing car, muahaha!

[theFRANCHISE]

I love Gran Turismo 5, but can't afford the G25 wheel or its successor, the G27. My sister-in-law is buying me the Logitech Driving Force GT wheel (the one with the pedals, [i]not[/i] the one with the paddles) for Christmas, so I'm pretty excited about that, even though I don't really have room in my room to clamp it down to anything. I'll have to play in another room instead, most likely.

[XxSizzleXx]

The Racing wheel is absolutely worth the price tag IMO, although I don't think the extra 100 bucks is worth it for the G27 just for the shift indicator and being a bit sleaker and quiter. Something that works good for the pedals if you don't want them to shift around on ya is I just stuck a couple of my dumbbells behind them so I don't push them away.

[rheebrosinc]

I loved playing GT4, but the game was sooo long. Is it the same for GT5? how's the physics and visuals of GT5? I know they added damage, does it play a big role in gameplay?

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='rheebrosinc' timestamp='1292896936' post='582294']
I loved playing GT4, but the game was sooo long. Is it the same for GT5? how's the physics and visuals of GT5? I know they added damage, does it play a big role in gameplay?
[/quote]
Well, the Gran Turismo series was never really meant to be "beat" in the truest sense. Sure, there's a completion bar and people try to get to 100% completion by unlocking and purchasing every car in the game and getting gold trophies in every race and on every license test, but that's never been the point of the game. It's just supposed to be the mere pursuit of cars you love and appreciate and having fun racing for money and personal achievement along the way.

That said, GT5 is pretty much the same game as GT4 and really not worth the purchase unless you're a true car-lover. You don't even have to be a hardcore enthusiast, just someone who appreciates the artistry of a car and loves classic cars as much as late-model editions.

It's the same gameplay concepts and mechanics as GT4, but with slight nuances that only hardcore gamers would notice. The visuals are, disappointingly, similar -- and not coincidentally since many of the cars were graphically recycled from GT4. Only 25% of the cars in the game were re-animated or completely brand-new to GT5.

The vehicle damage has very little effect, if any at all. Most collisions that would result in huge wrecks in real life, do nothing. It's the same arcadey bumper-cars effect that people have complained about for years. I don't really mind, though; I'm not that great at the game, but I'm still able to have fun with it. The damage only plays a more pronounced role during the endurance races, where the damage is cumulative and starts to affect vehicle performance even between pit stops.

[XxSizzleXx]

Ahhh man, this game is too fun with the steering wheel, I'm already at driver level 17.

Franny has it right as it is moreso a simulator than a racing game, but the added features of Nascar, online racing give you some extra options if computer racing is too technical.

Driving the little go karts around are pretty fun. I'm having more troubles getting gold on some of the special events than getting 1st in the races.

Franny if you like the older cars keep an eye out in the used cars area because they do change every now and then, I've already picked up 69' Vette, 69' Z28 as well as a Shelby gt350 65' and 440 Charger 71 in the used cars.

It's funny when you top out some of the classic cars with the steering wheel if you pick up enough speed the wheel starts shaking like crazy because the tranny is shaking like crazy LOL

[theFRANCHISE]

I think I'd fare much better with the steering wheel, just because it's a little closer to real driving (still not the same thing), and there's just something about holding a controller and trying to make pinpoint motions that doesn't work. Plus, it's difficult to really be precise with the accelerator and the brake when you're pressing a tiny button as opposed to using a pedal with a fuller range of motion. Hairpin turns are a pain to pull off with a normal controller.

I love the Used Car Dealership, and I like that the new mandatory update has new limited-time incentives for winning races and has rarer cars showing up more frequently in the Used Car Dealership. I'm looking to amass a collection of muscle cars just to have; I don't even want to tinker around with them. I don't really like the tuning aspect, but I'll probably get into it once I've gotten my Driver Level up higher (I'm only at 11) and can do the higher-level races to earn more money. I'm not really a car enthusiast, like I said, I just appreciate cars, so maybe I'll learn to get hardcore into the tuning once I'm more into cars.

[XxSizzleXx]

Don't worry about tuning the crap out of your car, the only thing that you can't uninstall are the full racing packages that you get at the GT Auto, otherwise if you want to take something off the car that you equipped say a Turbo for example, just go to the car and go to the tuning of it, it will have everything from the chassis to tires that you can switch around and play with. This is why I've always love the GT's because of how in depth they are with the car tuning.

Hell you can even go under the same menu but go to transmission and you can fully tune your transmission if you want.

[XxSizzleXx]

So technically you could buy everything for the car and then after just go to the tuning of it and just uninstall the parts, you will still have them if you do and can install them any time you want.

[theFRANCHISE]

Yeah, in previous games, I didn't bother buying any of the packages for the suspension or the transmission, I just bought the adjustable tuning kits (if available) and then had my cousin or friend tune the cars for me. In trying to boost my driver level with this game, I took the cheap way out (well, expensive in terms of in-game money) and would just buy turbo and all these other parts just for the HP increase, but wouldn't properly adjust or tune my car, so while I had a fast car, I could hear the engine struggling and I knew my engine wasn't being very efficient.

My objective was basically to be as technically-sound as possible only [i]after[/i] I got into first place, and I would start each race just doing whatever I could to get into first (including the old bumper-car method) and using my skill to stay in first, relying on speed as a crutch.

I've noticed this method might be more expensive in the long haul, though; I've had to change my oil a little more frequently (every 8-10 short races or so, now) and it seems like I've had to get my engine repaired as well after hearing some weird noises that I didn't catch before. I couldn't quite put my finger on the noises, but they were subtle and stopped after I got the repairs done. I'm thinking I need to learn how to tune myself to make my engine more efficient before I'm stuck paying more money to maintain my cars than to upgrade them.

[XxSizzleXx]

That's tough to pinpoint on why the cars are being run so hard, because at the moment I'm using 1 car more than any other ( 2010 Camaro ) and I probably have close to 20 races under the thing and haven't had to get repairs, maintenance or an oil change yet.

It could possibly be if you use manual that your leaving it in gear too long and revving the crap out of it, I can't really think of much else.

I like your driving style but I'm a bit different, I like it about 50/50 for speed and technicality, it helps a lot because once you get into expert series the cars are really fast and it does take some time adjusting to the speed.

[XxSizzleXx]

Another possibility could be if you are driving a used car, it is always best to get it rebuilt and do all that fancy stuff right after you buy a used vehicle.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I can not decide whether I want this or Hot Pursuit. I haven't purchased a racing game in awhile and would like to get one of these. Will this game last as far as replay value?

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='EnVy_CaLiBeR' timestamp='1292967961' post='582772']
I can not decide whether I want this or Hot Pursuit. I haven't purchased a racing game in awhile and would like to get one of these. [b]Will this game last as far as replay value?[/b]
[/quote]

Probably the longest racing series you will come across, so yes. It's a must buy.

GT 5 is more of the Flight Simulator on the ground, Hot Pursuit is probably just another racing game with a little story.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='EnVy_CaLiBeR' timestamp='1292967961' post='582772']
I can not decide whether I want this or Hot Pursuit. I haven't purchased a racing game in awhile and would like to get one of these. Will this game last as far as replay value?
[/quote]
Depends on what type of gamer you are. If you're a casual gamer, Hot Pursuit might be more your speed since it's fast thrills and it encourages pick-up-and-play type gameplay. Gran Turismo, meanwhile, has always been for the hardcore gamers or car enthusiasts. I categorize myself more as a moderate gamer and I like both games, and they're both fun in their own right, but Hot Pursuit is more arcadey and is meant to be less technical than Gran Turismo, which is a sim all the way.

Replay value is probably longer in Gran Turismo if you're into building a collection and trying to beat your personal bests, etc., while Hot Pursuit would have more replay value in the way of just mindless fun. Both are great games and are incredibly fun for what they are, but you have to recognize the difference between the two or you'll be disappointed in comparing them.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1292966340' post='582756']
Another possibility could be if you are driving a used car, it is always best to get it rebuilt and do all that fancy stuff right after you buy a used vehicle.
[/quote]
I just read that I don't need to change my oil that often, I've been changing it whenever it's been somewhat yellow-brown rather than really brown, so I'm probably pushing it. Not like oil changes cost much anyway. Also, I'm probably just paying too much attention to the noises from my car because, apparently, you're right, repairs don't need to be done so often. That's probably just the perfectionist in me, I don't know.

[XxSizzleXx]

Hot Pursuit also will not even come close to GT5 in the amount of race tracks and cars in the game.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I'm more of a hardcore gamer so yeah realism is important to me in games. So I'm going to go get GT5 thanks guys.

[XxSizzleXx]

Yo Franny have you come across any trucks yet? I'm trying to do the truck championship in the amateur series but I can't seem to find one...

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1292980720' post='582915']
Yo Franny have you come across any trucks yet? I'm trying to do the truck championship in the amateur series but I can't seem to find one...
[/quote]
Yeah, there was a Ford F150 and a Dodge Ram available in the Used Car Dealership a few nights ago when I was playing (haven't touched it in awhile), but I didn't bother picking up either because I mistakenly assumed they'd be available to purchase new from their respective dealerships. I was WRONG and kicking myself a little now that I'm eligible for that race.

[XxSizzleXx]

Yeah, that is one thing that kind of irks me is you can't buy them all at the dealerships, but it does make sense since a lot of cars are older, but still you'd think they'd make the 6 or 7 trucks in the game easier to get. Guess I'll have to keep my eyes peeled in the used dealer.

[H8R]

I need to pick my copy up, I preordered but havent gotten it yet. I completed EVERY endurance race on GT4 and I want to get back into the game!

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1293026586' post='583161']
I need to pick my copy up, I preordered but havent gotten it yet. I completed EVERY endurance race on GT4 and I want to get back into the game!
[/quote]

Nice, I think the only one that I ever truly completed was GT2, I came very close in 3 and 4 though. The endurance races are much better to play when you have 1 or 2 people with you so you can hand it off every 10 laps or so.

[theFRANCHISE]

Yeah, I don't have the guts or patience to do more than one endurance race; I'll just stick to one that is winnable for me and do it a couple of times for cash, then leave it and all the rest alone. Those things are killer. If you let up at any point in time and make a mistake that puts you anywhere out of the top 5 after making it that high up, you're pretty much doomed and have to start all over.

[H8R]

Yea, my Endurance Race Trophies did come from a 2 driver system. LOL.

[Marc2k6]

How do you guys like GT5? Do you like it better than NFS Shift?

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1293131398' post='583918']
How do you guys like GT5? Do you like it better than NFS Shift?
[/quote]

While I did have fun completing Shift I would take GT5 over it any day. It is similar in the type of race tracks you race but there isn't that erratic driving feel in GT5 like there is in Shift. The tuning and the amount of cars and how in depth it is Shift does not even touch it.

Not too many games can you race cars, trucks and Nascar all in one. GT5 will give you the extra value as well with the endurance races,special events and license tests.

Pick it up man, a lot easier to keep your car on the road in GT5 than Shift lol.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1293131398' post='583918']
How do you guys like GT5? Do you like it better than NFS Shift?
[/quote]
Much, much better than Shift. Shift is still really arcadey compared to GT5, which is a pure sim with very little arcade elements. Both involve racing on circuits and traditional race tracks, but the car selection in GT5 is inherently better and there's much more replay value. The tuning is also much more realistic and effective, and races that earn you a decent amount of money actually take skill to win, not just a fast car. You'll obviously start off with some cupcake races against weak competition for minimal gains, but you'll earn big money in bigger, more intense and technically-sound races.

[theFRANCHISE]

Got my Driving Force GT wheel today and I LOVE IT!

Granted, I'm still getting used to it, but so far, it's been worth the money. Races are actually a challenge now because it takes real skill to maintain control of these cars at high speeds. I took for granted how much easier things were with a controller, but I have so much more control over my vehicle as a whole now, particularly in the way of accelerating and braking. I still have to get used to the feeling of the wheel fighting back in response to the tires, but otherwise, it was a great gift and would've been a great investment if I bought it myself.

Best of all, other than GT5, the wheel is also compatible with Burnout Paradise, Need For Speed Hot Pursuit with the new patch (allegedly), and the cars in Grand Theft Auto IV! I have yet to try, but it should be interesting to see how much different the game is with a wheel. Maybe cruising around could actually be fun for once...

[XxSizzleXx]

Haha I know right, the wheel makes all the difference in the world. Wait until you get into the expert series and start hitting 170 mph +, it gets pretty tricky. One of the things I love most about the wheel is you can hold the accelerator wherever you want going around turns, which makes taking turns a lot easier when you can hold the throttle at 30, 40 or 50% going around a turn and then punch it coming out of the turn.

Driving the Nascar's is incredibly fun as well with the wheel, really challenging.

I am in love with my F430 Scuederia, handles like a dream.