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 It's a Rare Occasion When a Video-game Developer is Able to Place Almost 600 Cars Into One Game
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When the original Gran Turismo premiered, there was no doubt that it was the best racing game ever. For nitpickicking car enthusiasts and average racing game fans alike, there was a new champion in the racing game genre. Still, there were a few shortcomings which kept the game from being enjoyable for everyone. For example, the licenses were quite difficult to acquire, forcing many to stay in the B and A license races forever. Now comes Gran Turismo 2, which, in this writer's opinion, makes Gran Turismo look like V-Rally.
Gran Turismo 2 from Polyphony Digital and Sony is the new Greatest Racing Game of All Time. The sheer depth of this game is mind boggling. Its improvements and enhancements of Gran Turismo are so encompassing that the previous game seems almost simple. I'll sum it up by saying this: Gran Turismo 2 is a racing game on 2 different discs. The First Disc, the one for Arcade mode, allows you to race head to head against the computer or the second player in a number of automobiles. This mode alone would give the game a good review in my mind. But the real meat and potatoes of this game are in the Simulation Mode. The Simulation mode is the same as it was in Gran Turismo, virtually one of the only things not changed. However, when you put in the Simulation Disc and start your game, you will be stunned by the sheer magnitude of options. You start by getting your B license, which allows you to enter the most basic races. The A license, C International, B-International, and A-International licenses allow you to enter the more difficult races. After getting your license, you go and buy a car. And this is where Gran Turismo 2 really gets started. There are over 500 cars to choose from in Gran Turismo 2, from the most popular car makers. Some of them are:
As you can see, choosing a car to fit your needs can be pretty confusing. Furthermore, every car can be altered in every imaginable fashion, making a truly unique vehicle each and every time. Altering the vehicle also drastically effects the car's performance in races. A small suspension change can turn a car plagued by spin-outs into one that controls as smooth as silk.
Most every car you can imagine is in the game. The models run the gamut from expensive sports cars, like the Dodge Viper or Mercury Cougar, to 60's and 70's muscle cars. This is the only part of Gran Turismo 2 that I have a slight problem with. Some of the dealerships had the newest model of each specific vehicle, while some only had the '97 and '98 model. I was looking forward to racing in the 2000 Eclipse and 2000 Corvette, only to see the older models. This is a very small problem, and the only one you will hear from me about Gran Turismo 2.
Once entering Gran Turismo 2, the menu system is very easy to use. You start out, like in Gran Turismo, in the middle of a city. There are four different sections of the city to buy cars from. There is also a car wash, which washes your car (and increases the value slightly if you want to sell it), a wheel shop to buy rims from (I really enjoyed this feature) a machine test (to test your top speed, 0-500 meters speed, and 0-1000 meters speed), your home (to save your game, check your records, and get in a different car), and the "Go Race" feature. The city layout of Gran Turismo 2 is just one of the little things that make the game stand out.
Once you start racing in Gran Turismo 2, the realism is even more stunning. Each car controls differently than its counterparts. You really have to get the hang of your vehicle in Gran Turismo 2, because lack of control could send you spinning out at every turn. You almost have to be able to predict what your car is going to do at any given time, which was one of the parts of the game that I enjoyed. Handling is further effected when you choose the race you will participate in. There are 27 tracks in GT2, with all of the courses from the first game returning for another go. That means 18 original tracks to have your way on. Furthermore, each track can be raced mirrored, and at night, leaving you with an astounding number of racing options. There is also a Rally Racing mode in GT2, as part of the regular simulation. I haven't had a lot of experience with the rally racing, however, and so I wouldn't be the authority on that.
The graphics of Gran Turismo 2 seem to be about the same as its predecessor, with a few minor tweaks. The graphics are pixellated, unlike many 3D racers of today. Still, this is not saying that Gran Turismo 2 has bad graphics. Each car in Gran Turismo 2 looks exactly like its real-life counterpart. The tracks in GT2 are also stunning. The most striking to me was the Tahiti Road course, where the ocean suddenly comes into your view over the crest of a hill, with a beach snaking its way off in the horizon. Oh yeah, did I mention no pop up? Don't ask me how, but the pop-up monster decided not to infest GT2, taking the realism one step further.
The music and sound of Gran Turismo 2 take it the next step. Each car has unique engine sounds, with no two cars sounding exactly the same. Also, the in race noises are perfect to a T. Tires screeching, the engine red-lining, the gears shifting, every sound is represented brilliantly. For you soundtrack fans, GT2 doesn't disappoint. The Crystal Method, Rob Zombie, the Foo Fighters, Filter, Gearwhore, The Cardigans, and Garbage are all featured in this game.
There aren't enough good things I can say about Gran Turismo 2 one computer. It combines hundreds of cars, complete customization, dead-on car models and sounds, a badass simulation mode, and so many other features all come together to form, let me say it again, the Greatest Racing Game of All Time. If you have a Playstation, and don't own this game, please seek mental assistance.
**Thanks to Gran Turismo 2 Central for pictures
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