I played about 5 hours of GT5 on Sunday and 3 hours yesterday (taking turns with a friend).  There are some ridiculous things which will no doubt get laughed at (me and said buddy just cracked up every time at the stupid models for the crowd ... just one or two murky designs, just marginally better than cardboard cutouts,  repeated over and over in the same screen) and which show a lack of polish and would be much better left out altogether.

The gist of the game though is just how it always was.  If you love cars, love driving, love racing ... this game has gobs of all that.  It's relaxing, it's enjoyable, it feels good.  My own copy hasn't arrived yet but I see myself playing this for a long time when it does.  This is exactly what I expected, same old gran turismo I know and love, updated for this generation, with some neat additions and looking better than ever.  Don't understand the negative attitudes, it's like they expected a totally different game and not GT.

ASK_Story said:

          I'm just curious. What are some of those poor design decisions and arrogance you guys speak of? I know it's there but I'm not clear on what they are that points to GT5 being a disappointment.

Going by reviews, putting so much into the game rather than polishing up the good aspects. The PS3 seems to not even be able to handle the game, horrible load times and uneven frame rate at times. Focusing on only 200 premium cars and making the other 800 HD PS2 models. A campaign where you don't have much freedom in what you want to do. Online mode that is ancient, no matchmaking and some baffling options.

Ravenprose said:

phantom_leo said:

          I would have but...

I no longer own a DS system!

...

DUN, DUN, DUUUUN ! ! !

No more Dragon Quest IX? Other JRPGs?

Dvader said:

Going by reviews, putting so much into the game rather than polishing up the good aspects. The PS3 seems to not even be able to handle the game, horrible load times and uneven frame rate at times. Focusing on only 200 premium cars and making the other 800 HD PS2 models. A campaign where you don't have much freedom in what you want to do. Online mode that is ancient, no matchmaking and some baffling options.

That clarifies things.

The 800 HD PS2 models is what threw me off a bit. That's just crazy when I think about it.

Nice try. EXPLAIN YOURSELF.

aspro said:

Nice try. EXPLAIN YOURSELF.

Who?

Some Golden Sun Dark Dawn impressions.

I'm really loving it. First and foremost, it's classic Golden Sun but much more polished than the GBA games. But like the reviews mention, the same flaws are also in it, but it's just mosly Camelot's style and their storytelling.

But from my first hour, here's the breakdown:

Graphics - Amazing graphics, on par with Dragon Quest IX! The graphics are beautiful with vibrant colors, almost like a painting. The character models look good on the world map, but they look even better during battles. The animation during battles is excellent.

Gameplay - The battle system is fast-paced, which I like. The reviews say that there isn't grinding, which is good. The random battles aren't annoying which is refreshing.

One thing that Golden Sun on the GBA is notorious is for are the long dialogue that can go on forever. It's in Dark Dawn also. But that's just the way the series is, so to me, it's no big deal. It should be no big deal if you're a fan. I guess if you were never a fan of the first GBA games, you probably won't like this one.

Already, I can tell that this will be one of the best DS JRPGs. It's a good puzzle/JRPG which focuses more on environmental puzzles than random battles and leveling up, which makes it fun.

You are getting it, right?

Archangel3371 said:

phantom_leo said:

aspro said:

Nice try. EXPLAIN YOURSELF.

                    Who?

What?

Where?

Why?