Obviously, though, the on-track experience is what began to change my mind. I couldn’t help but crack a smile at what I was watching. Then it plays a preposterous eight-minute sequence, detailing humanity’s history with the automobile before kicking into high gear with some impressive gameplay shots. I did know about these, and enjoyed the laid back drive to a classical medley, but it’s an odd way to introduce the game. I knew little about how the game operates, so I was surprised when the very first thing you do is a Music Rally stage. I was entering corners much too fast, and then I would be surprised when I ended up spun out on the grass. To start with I was extremely clumsy, far too heavy-handed, and the result wasn’t pretty. Ultimately, I think I was impatient, expecting a wheel and pedals to transport me, unearth my digital driving potential. When I started playing a handful of racing games with the T248, I wasn’t having a great time. And I think it’s because of the bloody wheel. Not only do I have a far greater appreciation for wheel-and-pedal setups and what they do for racing games, I’ve almost completely U-turned on GT. You can read much more about my thoughts on the wheel itself in my review, but my experience during this little project has been quite eye-opening. After about 17 years of apathy, I’d be playing Gran Turismo after all, and I had to, because it’s my job. Sammy pointed out that, if I was going to review a wheel, I should have the PS5’s flagship racer with which to test it. I’d always wanted to give these things a proper try, so I was looking forward to diving in. ![]() Just a couple of weeks ago, I received a Thrustmaster T248 racing wheel for review purposes. The game was released earlier this year, and those same colleagues talked it up, saying it’s the best one in a long time, a return to form. I couldn’t care less, but I was obviously happy they were happy. I suppose I never put the time in to consider a) my tastes and mindset maturing, b) the games incrementally improving, or c) that I might one day work for a PlayStation-centric website.ĭuring the PS5 reveal, Gran Turismo 7 was announced, and my colleagues were getting amped up about it. While I’ve continued to enjoy arcade racers through the years, my stance on sim racers and Gran Turismo has gradually softened, but I’ve always just assumed I’d bounce right off any new entries. Many times Polyphony Digital has put out another gorgeous driving simulator, and many times I’ve ignored them. I’ve sat on that mindset for what is scarily close to 20 years. In my early noughties bedroom with my little portable TV, I convinced myself it just wasn’t for me, almost resenting the fact it was somehow popular. It felt slow and rigid, with a sort of holier-than-thou sensibility that got up my nose. I thought the series was too clinical, straight-faced, and boring. I would’ve been quite young at the time when GT4 rolled around, I’d been 15 or 16 (and, let’s remember, obsessed with Burnout). To be honest, I’m not sure what possessed me to get the latter, as I found the former to be dull as dishwater. On PS2, I played Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec and Gran Turismo 4. For the longest time, I thought this included Gran Turismo. ![]() There comes a point on the racing game spectrum, however, when sims become too realistic, and I start to lose interest. Though they’re much more grounded, many games like this, which tread the line between arcade and simulation, still offer that excitement I’m after. I’ve enjoyed more sober driving titles like Race Driver: GRID, the F1 series, and DIRT Rally 2.0, to name a few. Having said that, I do dip my toes into more serious racers. Flying around at ludicrous speeds, chaining together physics-defying drifts, and boosting your way to victory – these colorful, high-energy games are always fun, super satisfying thrill rides that never get old for me. ![]() Often free of stuffy manufacturer licenses and untethered by reality, series like Burnout can really let loose. The point is, I love arcade racing games, and I probably always will. Well, I mean, that last one’s an exaggeration, but Bamco, it’s time. The outside chance of a new Ridge Racer is what gets me out of bed in the morning. The launch title I bought alongside my PS3 was MotorStorm. An all-time favorite game of mine is Burnout 3: Takedown.
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