Gran Turismo 3 is Sony's latest monster title to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting gaming public, though they're not really unsuspecting anymore due to the immense hype around the game. Developed once again by the amazing team at Polyphony Digital, GT3 marks the series' entrance into a new generation of video gaming. With true-to-life physics and the perhaps the most phenomenal graphics in video gaming history, Gran Turismo 3 is easily the premier title in the console racing category. But while the game has reached new heights, it is still far from racing heaven.

Unless you've been living in an ice cave at the far corner of the Earth playing patty-cake with a yeti for the past year, you've seen a screenshot or two of this awesome game. Ladies and gentlemen, it is no joke. What you've seen is exactly what you get. And what exactly do you get? Well, how does 4,000 polygons per vehicle, full weather effects (including heat waves, rain soaked streets, and more), a blazing framerate and the best looking replay ever to grace a console sound? If there's one thing that GT3 deserves a cookie for, it's the eye crack. Even non-racing fans will stare in slack-jawed silence at the incredible reflections and eerily realistic cars. Every gamer needs to have a taste of this graphical wonder.

The audio tracks also perform well. During your drive you'll get an earful of tunes from a wide variety of artists. Familiar names such as Snoop Dogg, Lenny Kravitz, Judas Priest, and BT are just some of the big names assembled for the soundtrack. Choose only your favorite tunes or take them all out - it's totally up to you! Not a bad aural experience in the least.

True to its predecessors, GT3 contains some of the most realistic physics in a racing game. If you plan on being a successful driver, you'll have to treat each race like you're driving a real car. Don't even think about taking the 90 degree turn at 300mph, 'cuz it just won't happen. Gran Turismo 3 is indeed the "real driving simulator."

Actually, GT3 stays a little too true to its past with the exact same tracks that were in Gran Turismo 2. A mere two new tracks are included and many of you will instantly be familiar with the seventeen others. Sure, they look MUCH better, but considering the leap from the PSX to the PS2, the lack of new tracks is a letdown.

Like before, gameplay takes place in two modes: Arcade and Simulation. While Arcade is great for a quick spin or a friendly match, Simulation mode is definitely where the real action is. It is here where you'll gain massive amount of credits, build up an army of cars and become the greatest racer ever to sit on your couch.

The idea is basic. Buy a car, race a car, tune a car, repeat. You'll also have to earn the proper licenses to enter some of the bigger and better races along the way.

While the premise is simple, the execution is not. GT3 is not the kind of game you'll be done with in a weekend of hardcore playing. There's even a good chance of not completing it in a month of hardcore gaming! With five different leagues and a ton of different class races, you'll be racing 'til you can't race no more. This is definitely a game that will last the long haul.

But for those of you with little patience, GT3 will definitely be a serious test of willpower with some excruciatingly long races. Naturally, you start off with just enough money for a soapbox racer and it'll take some time for you to earn even the most basic of raceworthy cars. Even when you finally get into a decent ride, the pace does not quicken. The more advanced leagues can run 15 laps or so for a normal race on a course you'll take about 2 minutes to run. So you're looking at a half-hour for a single race. ONE RACE! Can you imagine the frustration of losing (or even second place)? It's pretty heinous.

Endurance races are even worse. One race has you running the oval for 100 laps. Let me repeat that. One… hundred… laps. If you plan on completing this game 100%, you're in for a really long drive.

At least you'll be able to relive your moments in a glorious replay. GT3's replay is second to none and you'll be able to check out the race from almost every dramatic angle know to man. It's truly impressive.

Although slightly improved, the AI of the other cars still lacks. Opponents are about as aggressive as Miss Manners and don't seem to respond much to player actions. They just seem to follow their pre-programmed driving instructions to the letter. Try to push computer-controlled cars out of the way and they'll just push right back until they're on course. Then they leave you alone. Wussies.

While the majority of the game has been improved, two notable features of GT2 are downgraded. While GT2 features over 500 cars, GT3 contains only a fraction of that number. In fact, the original Gran Turismo holds more cars (166) than the advertised 150+ cars of GT3. Enthusiasts will be sorely disappointed, but trust me, 150+ cars is still pretty hefty. Also missing is the used car lot. Each and every car must be bought new at MSRP- no discounts!

A few features that were on the wish list of GT gamers everywhere continue to remain missing in action. There is no place to drag race and you still can't damage your car no matter how hard you try. And contrary to the advertised "fully customizable" cars, you cannot modify the exterior of your car beyond the wheels. So all you customization freaks out there are just plain out of luck. No fat GReddy tip, no ground effects from C-West, no spoilers - nothing. Surprisingly, you can't even change the color of the car once it's selected. If you win the pink car, it shall remain pink forever. At least you can still sell it.

All things considered, Gran Turismo 3 is definitely the kind of game you'll use to show off the power of your PS2. GT3's amazing graphical achievements and life-like physics result in one of the most advanced racing games on the market. There are a few things holding it back from perfection, but anyone that loves the excitement of a good race should certainly check this one out.

Source: gaming-revolution.com