DRIVING MODEL
Forza 3: Aptly named developers Turn 10 started off with solid driving mechanics and they have tweaked it to near-perfection over the course of three titles. Cornering is key in the world of Forza, throwing a machine round the track can be a hugely satisfying experience if you know exactly how to squeeze past those hairpins. Turn 10 also broke ground in the racing genre with it's hugely customisable difficulty, effectively giving the player the tools make the driving model effortless or unforgiving as they want. However, there is a rigidity to the cars takes the shine of the smooth cornering, suspension is fine but not perfect and some of the cars can feel a tad stiff to control.
GT5: 'The Real Driving Simulator' is the intimidating subtitle of all Gran Turismo games and by and large, it has never been misleading. The GT series has always been about two things, the visuals and and the driving and GT5 presents a meticulous virtual representation of driving physics. Like (or perhaps because of) Forza, GT5 also has customisable difficulty settings and while they are useful, to play Gran Turismo 5 free from tweaks is to experience an unforgiving world of precise handling and split second decision making.
WINNER= GT5
WINNER= GT5
VISUALS
GT5: 6 years in the making, Gran Turismo 5's construction was an obsessive, painstaking process. Polyphony delaying the project numerous times so that they could tweak to absolute perfection; unfortunately, the finished product is nowhere near the die hard GT fan's wildest dreams. Gran Turismo 5's visuals are breathtaking and on occasion the term 'photo real' can be used without sounding flippant. However, there are some inconsistencies that mar one's enjoyment overall- jagged shadowing effects, bland scenery and a largely non-existent damage model that seems afraid to show it's precious babies banged up, these elements combine to create an uneven graphical feast.
WINNER= Forza 3
COMMUNITY
Forza 3: This is the area where developers Turn 10 have always had the edge. A ridiculous amount of online features, user created content and a healthy, frequent supply of DLC have been provided for every game in the series and the Third Instalment built upon this with a more streamlined content sharing system and the best matchmaking lobbies in the racing genre.
GT5: Gran Turismo 5 sees Polyphony trying their hand at a multiplayer suite for the first time and the results are, like the visuals, mixed. Some great communacative features are present in the games career mode, everything from photos to created tracks can be shared and cars can be 'gifted' from garages in your friends list. The online lobbies are frequently over complicated and it can take time to find the right race (and get that race started when you're in). These features are still young at this point and Polyphony promises frequent updates, but for now it doesn't represent the pinnacle of community racing.
WINNER= Forza 3
CONTENT
Forza 3: I'ts evident that Forza 3 is going to be a robust package when, on opening the box, you are greeted with an install disc alongside the standard game disc. Turn 10 offers the player a lot of content straight off the bat, with 500+ cars on the disc (plus some premium models in the box as free DLC) and nearly a hundred tracks (including reverse and variation versions), this content would also later be bolstered by frequent digital releases.
GT5: Polyphony met the challenge of Forza by offering their usual gargantuan amount of content on the GT5 disc. Over a thousand cars are present, both in the new car dealership and used dealership (which randomly generates offers as you race) and the 71 tracks on offer feature real world locations like the Top Gear track in Surrey and a painstaking recreation of the Nurburghring, which is in many ways the centrepiece of the game. Shortly after release, Polyphony released a free update that brought with it an extra dealership for those rarer models, as well as new tournaments and races that are updated in generous intervals. Overall, GT5 has a lot to offer and the flow of content doesnt show any signs of slowing.
WINNER: GT5
VERDICT
Well, it's a tie. It's extremely difficult to choose between these 2 franchises, especially when one is enamoured with both in equal measure.
There is no denying the skill of Turn 10 in crafting a robust racing experience, games that have visual splendor as well as tight gameplay. On the other hand, it's also hard to deny the sheer power of Polyphony's creation, a game spilling over with content, crafted by people whose obsession with automotive racing is actually worrying. If you only have one console, then neither is a clear excuse to change up, if you have the freedom of choice however, simply put, get both.