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How Metascores Are Calculated
68
1942: Joint Strike
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The real driving simulator returns with the highly anticipated precursor to Gran Turismo 5, featuring 50 cars from worldwide auto manufacturers including Ferrari, Ford, and Audi. With all-new interior dash views, online racing, and more, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue unveils revolutionary advancements that blur the distinction between simulation and reality. Fifty cars and five race tracks, including Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and for the first time ever, Daytona International Speedway. All-new interior dash view puts you in the driver’s seat like never before. Race online with up to 16 players to prove your skills. New online community features including Gran Turismo TV, featuring worldwide automotive and motorsport programming. Rendered in beautiful 1080p at 60fps with crisp, realistic lighting effects (replays rendered in 1080p 30fps). [Sony]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 95
GamePro
The graphics in GT5: Prologue are even better than "Crysis."
 94
Cheat Code Central
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue certainly proved to be worth the hype. I was excited for this game, and when I finally started playing the full version, I was in awe of how amazing this game really felt.
92
GameZone
The graphics are amazing and the supporting cast of controls and sound do a good job. Online needs a little tuning to run smoother, but the elements are there for fun and challenge.
91
Game Revolution
It exudes elitism, class, and affluence at every turn. It’s a game every bit as precise and refined as the cars it replicates. But it also doesn’t forget that it’s still a game made for the grease monkey in all of us.
90
Total Video Games
There's room for improvement, and we hope the omission of damage isn't a sign of things to come, but as a starter Prologue gets your engine revving to maximum.
90
Gameplanet
I have full faith that Polyphony will set these minor issues straight for the full fat, maximum fuel, premium octane, environmentally ignorant release of what is undoubtedly, the greatest car driving experience to visit the console world.
90
TheSixthAxis
At £25 this is an absolute steal, and don't listen to anyone saying this is only a demo, it's not - it's worth every penny and is only going to get bigger and better given the support the Japanese version is seeing.
89
Pelit (Finland)
An excellent racing-game. It's not just a glimpse of the future, although the future looks really bright. [May 2008]
89
Ferrago
At a hefty 25 GBP it's a pretty expensive demo, albeit one that should keep you smiling for a good few weeks.
88
Worth Playing
A gorgeous, well-made technical racer that will test your braking and turning abilities just as much as your ability to jam on the gas and hold on tight. If that sounds like your idea of fun, then buckle up and get yourself to the starting line.
88
Game Chronicles
First, this demo has as much, if not more content than a lot of other racing games out there, and second, a lot of the profits from this “demo” will certainly be rolled over into the final game, making it even better than ever.
87
PSM3 Magazine UK
The attention to detail is staggering and it handles like a dream. A true technical showcase. [May 2008, p.74]
86
MEGamers
This is quite a lengthy review for a retail and digital game that borderlines into being a demo, but that's how much sheer joy this game instilled in this gamer.
85
NZGamer
With its gorgeous graphics, finely crafted gameplay, and plenty of content, Spec II is definitely a winner for fans of racing simulations.
85
Console Monster
Prologue is a superb game in general and if you can live without the online play as it’s a pain in the backside on most occasions, there’s no reason not to pick it up.
85
IGN
The AI is much improved, the online, while basic, works really well, and the series (or really any other racing game in existence) has never been more realistic nor arguably fun to drive (with Burnout being its only "fun" competition).
85
Kombo
The other group that should go and buy this game is car enthusiasts because they won't be successful in finding a better simulation car game on the market.
85
GamerNode
Although a little short on cars and tracks when compared to GT5's numbers, still a great racing game with stunning visuals and a fun driving model. Carries on the Gran Turismo tradition proudly and is a great taste of what is to come.
85
Gamer's Hell
The Gran Turismo series is heralded as being the top of litter for racing simulators, and based on Prologue, it looks like GT5 will uphold such claims.
85
TotalPlayStation
Considering the diminutive offering compared to other GT games, you'd think this would feel lacking in some way. It falters at times, yes, but Prologue is an honest-to-goodness peek at what's to come. Oh, and it's a hell of a game to boot.
85
PGNx Media
The presentation is excellent, as is expected from Gran Turismo’s debut on the PS3. The game certainly fills a void in the PS3’s library but the relative lack of content (only 70 cars and 6 tracks), means that only the Gran Turismo diehard should pick up Prologue.
85
Play Magazine
Overall though, the game's awesome. [May 2008, p.60]
85
Da Gameboyz
Although Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was released as a small taste of what is to come in the final version of GT5, this taste is definitely more then just a small demo.
84
Gamer 2.0
Gran Turismo fans that can’t simply wait another year or more just for the full GT5 will find a lot to like here for the reduced price while casual GT fans that have been overwhelmed by the immense depth of previous Gran Turismos can hop in and get the hang of the game without being a huge car nut quite well.
84
Gamers.at
As much as I liked the game in single player, I am disappointed by the multiplayer-mode. The lack of a lobby or a feature to select who you want to play with are mayor shortcomings compared to other games of today. What's worse though is the missing damage system and flaws in the way penalties are awarded, and the players who abuse these shortcomings. The penalties may be designed to stop players from sliding against the boards or using shortcuts, but often punish victims of assaults by other players using unfair means.
83
Gaming Nexus
Gran Turismo 5 is another data point on the maturation S-curve for console-based racing games, but there’s still room for growth.
83
1UP
Immature as Prologue's online play is, it provides just enough basic functionality to avoid undermining everything that the game's single-player mode offers. It also doesn't hurt that the game looks amazing.
83
IGN AU
The biggest demo you'll ever play. There honestly is more to do here than in many full-price titles, despite the fact it's merely a teaser. It's barn-stormingly beautiful and feels sublime.
83
Games Master UK
Showroom shine and technical brilliance manages to get in the way of the 'game'. [May 2008, p.67]
81
IGN UK
Deeply flawed as the structure of the game may be, there’s no doubting it still offers the definitive automotive experience in gaming.
81
Extreme Gamer
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is an excellent racing experience, for a demo. Although it is a demo it is still a big enough demo to keep you busy for a while.
80
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
As uneven an effort that Prologue is at times, there are moments in the game that are transcendent. [June 2008, p.68]
80
GameDaily
A near photo-realistic racing game with tight controls, a stylish presentation and visuals that'll leave you speechless.
80
Gameplayer
It isn’t yet the game it will become, but it’s still damn fine.
80
DailyGame
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue is off to a good start, but it's unfinished. Also, there's no way we can recommend spending $40 for a demo. This score reflects the game content itself, not the overall value.
80
DarkStation
If you're a huge Gran Turismo fan and can't wait for the full version, there is no reason not to pick this game up, if for nothing else to really show off your HDTV.
80
VideoGamer
What is without doubt the biggest disappointment of all is the online implementation. It's currently woefully behind what we've got in Forza 2 and PGR4, lacking even basic support for custom races. Support for up to 16 players is excellent, but without a friends list or any proper match making you're left to pick from the 35 events currently listed.
80
EuroGamer
It's not quite brilliant, and we particularly mourn the apparently stillborn online racing, but there's more than enough here to justify the asking price, and exploring it all is a consistently pleasurable experience, which should have considerable appeal for GT's ardent supporters and satisfy the curiosity of the rapidly-growing PS3 installed base at the same time.
80
PTGamers
Prologue is a game whose quality fluctuates, with great highs (such as the excellent and varied handling of vehicles) living with a few lows, the most obvious being the lacking AI.
80
Gamer.nl
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue might be just a prologue, but the game is excellent. Prologue offers enough challenges to keep you busy. The game is almost just as good as a full version racesimulator. The only minor points are that the online mode and the racetracks could have used a bit more finetuning.
80
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
It’s not perfect and can be easily criticized for the lack of customization of the online races and the absence of damages. But it’s far from being a simple demo and has a lot of reasons that fans of series should be interested in. It’s well worth the investment. [Apr 2008]
80
Jolt Online Gaming UK
It’s the interface, audio and visuals that make this an outstanding package, although even here there are things that are not quite right.
80
G4 TV
Easily the most beautiful and engaging racer on the PS3. The lack of tracks and obvious multiplayer problems drag it down a notch.
80
Gamervision
GT5: Prologue is amazing to look at, and the game handles like a dream. And while I'm excited to have a full garage of cars unlocked once GT5 releases, I wouldn't have minded waiting a bit longer for a more complete experience.
80
GameSpy
Prologue will definitely scratch the itch for GT fans waiting to get their hands on next-gen racing, but the disc suffers from an overly short single-player game and the same problems -- the ability to drive recklessly and the lack of damage -- that have dogged the series for a while. Online the game is a real treat, though.
78
Game Informer
The strength of this game’s racing only makes its lack of growth in other fundamental areas all the more baffling. How easy would it be for Gran Turismo to rule the racing world if Polyphony put half the effort it does into capturing muffler audio into areas like a new career mode, pacing, and other features that rival franchises have conquered long ago?
78
GameTrailers
Hopefully the online issues will be ironed out before the full-on release, but if you simply can't wait to get a horsepower fix then bite the bullet, pay the ticket, and put it to the floor.
75
GameShark
If you’re a fan of the GT series, it’s certainly worth picking up and at the very least is worth a rental to get your Turismo fix. New players may want to wait for a sale at the PS Store.
75
Play UK
Measure yourself on a graph that shows 'love of racing' on the vertical by 'impatience' on the horizontal. If you place somewhere around the top-right, then give it a try. [Issue#165, p.80]
75
Electronic Gaming Monthly
I say Prologue is a demo. [July 2008, p.80]
75
GameFocus
Barely passable as a GT Game. There are far better racing simulations and games out there.
75
GameSpot
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue may be only a practice lap for the real thing, but it's a beautiful joyride while it lasts.
75
PALGN
As a stand alone product Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a solid game with a decent RRP. Those who want the full Gran Turismo experience will need to wait until next year, but Prologue still offers up a bundle of content, making the title a worthwhile purchase for even a casual Gran Turismo fan.
70
Playstation Official Magazine UK
The game's relentlessly narrow focus frustrates as much as the repetitious grind of the racing. [May 2008, p.98]
70
DarkZero
In truth, not much of the core gameplay has changed, and it is still a GT game, albeit one that even more perfectly recreates what it’s like to get behind a wheel dream cars. In the same vein, all the vehicles on show have even more personality than ever before.
70
AceGamez
Graphically it's a huge step up not only from GT4 but from every racing game (and indeed most games) that we've seen so far, and I'm sure it'll look even better in the full game.
70
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Needs to make serious progress if 'Gran' isn't to become an indication of age. [June 2008, p.87]
70
GameTap
The multiplayer mode is great, in theory, but when you’re driving against a pack of opponents that might as well be driving with a blindfold on (intentionally or not), it tends to lose its appeal rather quickly.
70
Console Gameworld
For a full game, Prologue is lacking very highly. Yet for its lower price, and the knowledge that it isn't the full game and is only a taste of what's to come, we're left embittered and wanting more, better, and sooner.
70
games(TM)
Despite all of its faults, its lack of content and distressingly limited modding options, Gran Turismo Prologue 5 still feels a cut above the pack. [June 2008, p.112]
70
Edge Magazine
As much as Gran Turismo TV and its frontend might push Prologue toward being a multimedia experience, the actual racing has become more of a game - a little less clinical, a little more diverse and characterful. [June 2008, p.88]
60
Giant Bomb
I like what Gran Turismo 5 Prologue offers, I just don’t care for the decision to monetize it. "Gran Turismo 4" featured more than 50 tracks and more than 700 cars, so if $39.99 buys you just six tracks and 70 cars in 2008, I don’t even want to imagine how much Gran Turismo 5 will cost.
60
Gamestyle
Whichever way you choose to purchase Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, the majority of PlayStation 3 owners will be thankful to have the opportunity to sample what Polyphony Digital have been working on for the last four years. At least that is until the cars hit the track.
60
Thunderbolt
As a benchmark the game shows a lot of promise for the full release which will have significantly more of everything, and hopefully irons out the creases, but as a game it's just disappointing.
60
Boomtown
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a system selling game, it's too beautiful in adverts and demo mode not to. But it marks a failure of evolution in a series that was once groundbreaking and is now becoming a little stale.
58
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Still, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is in a class by itself when it comes to racing simulation. Cars and tracks are re-created immaculately, as are the vehicles' physics and performance.
George M gave it a9: chico gave it a10: Hal S. gave it a0: Alan B gave it a10: Jordan M gave it a10: Shamus M. gave it a10: Andrew P gave it an8: |
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