Gran Turismo: Back to the Future

Gran Turismo is now the world’s most famous video game brand related to the motor racing industry, a game more than 14 years in the making, but the journey to GT5 prologue has not always been straight forward for its designer Kazunori Yamauchi. The company behind the creation of the GT series Polyphony Digital, first came to notable fame during the release of Motor Toon Grand Prix for the Sony Playstation in February 1995. The game was a heady mix of seemingly drug fueled visuals and quirky design with the Plastic Road circuit notable for its totally unique and off beat approach. But it was the quality of its execution that was truly mind blowing, fully Gouraud-shaded graphics and effortless animation proved to be an exceptional use of the Playstation's architecture demonstrating yet again that the system was not only ahead of its rivals but capable of greatness in the hands of the right developers. Though unusual it was clear Polyphony had the technical know-how to realize complex visions and bring them to reality.



Note the improvements in texture detail from Motor Toon to its sequel

With greater freedom the green light was instantly given for a sequel and Motor Toon Grand Prix 2 hit shelves in Japan in mid 1996. This title was also revolutionary for its time in including a second bonus disc specifically for link-up play, this would include both the racing GTR and a range of mini games. Again graphics were stunning and clear steps forward were made on the previous iteration in the series with highly ambitious tracks and environments, another stunning example of the power offered by Sony's console and Polyphony's skill in execution. But it was the handling model concealed within its abstract visual design that really impressed, Polyphony clearly had a great understanding and feel for the racing genre. Racing experts instantly got to grips with the unique but intuitive feel, this was more than the sum of it parts and those not interested in the visual approach soon realised that this could turn into something special. On completing the game players were offered the unlockable Motor Toon GTR which would prove to be the worlds first taster of what was to come. This featuring an Indy car and Nascar on a scaled down version of the Toon Village circuit running at a highly impressive 60fps. Vehicle handling within this mode initially felt dreadful bordering on impossible but practice revealed a highly playable model and the smooth visuals simply helped to reinforce this constant technical excellence.



As revealed on Motor Toon GTR the next project for Polyphony was to focus on a real driving simulator, moving completely away from their surreal racing routes. First screen-shots were released in mid 1997, with no major PR announcement. Instead it was released as a tiny article in a range of western publications. The pictures though tiny were mind-blowing to a point that many believed they couldn't be running in real-time. Due to the niche nature of the Motor Toon titles many publications perhaps felt that mass market appeal of their future releases would be a tad limiting. That was until later that year when a barrage of new shots were released, these being way ahead of rival developments for its time, looking like nothing we had seen before with reflections mapped onto cars using new techniques, the games industry sat up and took notice, Gran Turismo was coming and it was going to be something special.



Christmas 2007 saw the release of Gran Turismo in Japan and with hype building at a rapid rate the game already had a lot to live up to. It delivered and surpassed all expectations with stunning technical performance displaying the most detailed cars ever seen in a console video game, incredible replays that were as much fun to watch as the game was to play and tied into a huge package of well over 250 cars. Like the original Motor Toon GTR, Gran Turismo also included a hidden 60fps mode with the ability to race round one of the games Tokyo night circuits, again handling wasn't perfect but the fluidity of movement made this a compelling experience and yet another taster of the future. A new benchmark was set, now replacing Namco's Ridge Racer as the number 1 racing brand on the format receiving both public and critical praise, with games fans appreciating the steps forward and the motor industry taking note that this could herald a new era in games sales and their involvement. The US and European releases followed months later to massive commercial success repeating the wave of support it received in Japan while introducing a range of new players into the genre.



Between GT titles, Polyphony dabbled with other genres

Gran Tursimo 2 was released almost 2 years later, following an internal buyout Polyphony Digital became an independent company while the extended development period (which has now become common for this series) of the sequel appeared ridiculous for the era with PR campaign milking every aspect and giving the impression of an imminent release only for constant delays. On arrival Gran Turismo 2 initially appeared just as an add-on, appearing to reuse many tracks and assets from the first game? But on a detailed play subtle changes had been made to every aspect with graphical refinement combining in a huge package yet again reaffirming this titles dominance over the genre. This also established Gran Turismo as Sony's leading IP, with over 500 cars and including the rally racing genre, GT2 was without doubt the definitive console driving simulator of this era.



Sales continued to flourish and with the new Playstation 2 released in Japan in March 1999, Polyphony had been spending the last 6 months building anticipation of their next title, revealing shots and videos clips of the forthcoming title Gran Turismo 2000. This was to be an upgrade or add-on rather than an entirely new iteration in the series, however as development progressed and the regular stream of delays took hold it was clear that an add-on alone would not suffice. March 2001 finally saw the much anticipated release of Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec and the official Logitech steering wheel in Japan, again graphically it stood tall beating down all rivals on the format with its incredible presentation. Superlatives were given at every occasion but this was not to be a high point in the quality of the series. Despite the amazing technical performance and the considerable range of cars the package was a bitty and incomplete one, token rally mode, few race tracks and still remaining with only 6 cars in a race. GT as a concept had changed course, it was now all about the cars and the racing element was starting to feel secondary. This was followed a year later by Gran Turismo Concept and as the title would suggest, this version included a collection of Concept cars that would range from interesting to ludicrous and the utterly bizarre.




Gran Turismo 4 again fell into the ongoing PR trap, the IP having such significance within Sony that PR was starting years before release of the eventual product. GT4 development delays affecting it so badly that the decision was eventually taken to release Gran Turismo 4 Prologue in 2003. This would operate as a teaser or taster for the eventual release of the full Gran Tursmo 4 released in Japan in late December 2004, later released in the west around spring 2005. This title very much following in the same steps as GT1 to GT2, expanding the package and introducing a wider range of cars with refined graphics. Again the field running a restricted number of cars, the game felt lacking in creativity, with a poorly executed rally mode and similar issues lacking in the package it felt a step back for the series trying to become a jack of all trades while not satisfying any one to an acceptable level and you can read that in greater detail in our GT4 Review. The team then focused its energy on Tourist Trophy - The Real Bike Simulator; in an effort to follow the success of the GT franchise, unfortunately the game failed to generate the kind of excitement expected and with a feeling that the PS2 perhaps wasn't the best format for this vision. Following Tourist Trophy the focus was set to return to GT in the form of a PSP version, originally due in early 2005, then 2006, then early 2007 before being canceled? At least that was the public statement; no official reason was given at the time other than the focus of Polyphony was to be on the Playstation 3 and Gran Turismo 5. But then in 2008 it all changed again with the PSP version put back onto the release schedule, whatever the delay, issues had been resolved and GT PSP was back on track, besides being a much needed shot in the arm for Sony's then ailing PSP, but is it any good? Check out our review.




The vision of Gran Turismo has always been hugely ambitious, more than a racing game, more than the cars itself. Gran Tursmo is a driving compendium that is about the very love of the creation of the automobile in every guise. Moving on to the Playstation 3 would prove Polyphony's biggest challenge to date. The benchmark had been set and now with the GT bandwagon moving onto the PS3 the vision must expand. Again a huge package was proposed with Gran Turismo 5 originally expected to hit in 2008 however as the project progressed the usual delays came into affect and given the success of the previous prologue titles GT5 Prologue was inevitable. Released early in 2008 to considerable acclaim the game retained the technical prowess of previous iterations but with a feeling in the general of being over clinical, with visuals providing a perfect yet lifeless feel. This version also failed to include the hoped for crash damage, initially promised by Polyphony in a future update. However the inclusion of the Ferrari 2007 F1 car came as a wonderful surprise but like previous GT's, 1 car and 2 F1 tracks does not make it a total experience, replays were stunning and despite Codemasters grabbing the official FIA video game license more F1 cars were promised for download in the future, alas never to arrive.




Not just content with making games, Polyphony have also tried their hand at developing a real car, the Citroen GT above

Another key feature has been the inclusion of Gran Turismo TV (GT-TV), again blurring the lines between gaming and reality bringing the core enthusiast market together. Whether you're a car fan who's good or bad at gaming, GT intend to bridge that gulf using every possible information medium and VVV Gamer look to become a part of that. We now look forward to GT5 in 2010, but whenever the next tile comes out you can bet its going to be something special. A new benchmark is coming and Polyphony has every opportunity to make sure they are going to be the ones setting the pace.

thats an amazing review dude man it kicks ass

Great back-catalogue of Polyphony there, aah GT2 was what stole my heart as far as console racers are concerned.

I never knew Polyphony went further back than Gran Turismo 1, and didn't know they did a bike racing game....I wonder why they havent included bikes in GT5 then, as a seperate mode...

Well there's been rumours that bikes could be DLC? or they may be saved for GT6m already mentioned by Kaz, which should be out in 2012

I also got hooked by GT2 and if 5 is very good, will buy PS3.

I'm wth ya here....although by the time it comes out I probably will have saved up enough anyway :P

Tourist Trophy is the best bike game ever made, i still play it to this day. There is nothing like taking a Race spec bike round the 'Ring. The PS2 is set up next to the 360 and only Tourist Trophy ever gets played in the PS2 now, still one of my favourite all time games.

Great right up Alan.

Nice review.