Car and Driver magazine, a US-based automotive monthly with a circulation of 1.31 million, has, according to a blog on The Examiner, compared Microsoft’s Forza 3 against Sony’s Gran Turismo 5. The report, which is apparently available in the March 2011 issue of the mag, says that Turn 10’s racer offers “more realistically rendered” tracks, and more of them are based on real-world locations.
The magazine also digs into GT5’s ‘Standard’ cars, saying they don’t look much better than the ones from “GT4”, and that was last generation’s hardware, before claiming the number of Premiums, just 200, doesn’t stack up well against Forza 3’s 400 fully modeled vehicles despite the gulf in difference between the two. Car and Driver also found the selection of cars in GT5 “questionable”, and were disappointed at the lack of Porsches in the game – Forza 3 has 27.
In addition, all of Forza 3’s cars have fully realised dashboard views.
The magazine also questioned the Dual Shock’s lack of “adequate range of motion” and its ability “to precisely nail apexes and manage power,” saying that a wheel is required to get the most out of GT5. They did say the scope of Polyphony’s racer was “peerlessly comprehensive,” but that they would “happily trade the 16 different Daihatsus that GT5 offers for more detailed tracks and a few more premium cars.”
“While Forza 3 may not have GT5’s scope,” Examiner say the mag claims, “it feels the more cohesive and better executed of the pair. There are more cars that we would want to find in a video game in Forza than there are in GT5.”
“Forza is at once a competitive simulator and a fun game casual users can quickly get into and out of; it does not require players to delve into layers of levels and challenges to get to the good stuff. Its polish and flexibility make Forza Motorsport 3 the better choice. But with Forza 4 on the horizon and GT5’s frequent updates, we may be forced to repeat this tough assignment again soon.”
We can’t help feeling that the point has been missed somewhat here. Yes, Forza Motorsport 3 is a great racing game. Perhaps it’s even a better video game or more accessible racing simulation. Is it comparable to Gran Turismo 5’s simulation of the world of racing enthusiasm? We don’t really think so.
Those Daihatsus are in Gran Turismo 5 because there are really people who like to race Daihatsus and Gran Turismo is as much about celebrating their passion as it is about cramming as many horses under the hood and drifting around grandstand bends. Gran Turismo 5 recognises, as all of its predecessors have, that it can be a greater test of racing skill to tease the best out of a 22bhp minnow as it is to throw an 800bhp monster around a hairpin bend.
So, while we think that both games are exceptionally good, we don’t really think a direct comparison is entirely fair.
Our review of Gran Turismo 5 is here, and our review of Forza 3 is here.
Source: Examiner, although there’s an article on the C&D website here from December. Quotes come from the Examiner article, not the Car and Driver website. We are unable to verify the contents of the actual magazine.
Juelz345
I know this isn’t the site to say this (as most things MS get bashed continuously in the comments)but I personally enjoyed forza 3 more. Bearing in mind that I have yet to purchase forza 3 (borrowed it from a friend) and i bought gt5 at launch.
I’m not a big race sim guy, so i’m the last person to make direct comparisons between the two but this article is based on someones opinion, so bashing it and saying that they’re wrong is silly. It’s that persons opinion. If the article was the other way around, there would be nothing but praise for it.
I have a friend who is an extreme car enthusiast and semi-pro race car driver who purchased a PS3 just for GT5..and sold the PS3 a month later due to disappointment. Keep in mind that he was a HUGE fan of the past GT games. But again, he enjoys Forza 3 way more.
So while for some people (read: a lot) it’ll come down to their inner fanboy as to which game is better (most of the people here bashing forza probably never even played it and hate MS), it is possible for some people to prefer Forza 3 simple based on the fact that it is the game that THEY enjoy more. And for those that are implying that the only people that prefer forza are MS fanboys, well…that’s as fanboyish a statement as any.
For the record, i’m not “fanboy” of either console, i no longer play forza 3 or gt5 (i prefer arcade racers and am loving hot pursuit at the moment) and the last 7 games that i’ve purchased (8 if you include my pre-order of KZ3) have been for PS3. I just found forza 3 to be the more enjoyable game, and i’ve actually put more play time into GT5 than Forza.
nofi
I actually really, really like Forza 3. It does a lot of stuff much better than GT5 does.
Juelz345
Careful Nofi, you remember the heat you got for the Forza 3 review right? “Biased f**k” i believe was the general consensus? lol
nofi
And I still stick by it. =)
AG2297
Such a very diplomatic reply there nofi!
BurnoutAddict
At the end of the day, we all have out own opinions.
I respect others views, and in return expect them to respect mine.
But I will defend my corner.
Yes, I am a Sony fanboy, and I think GT5 is better than Forza3 and has more to offer. Before you say “that’s because your a fanboy”, its not. I played Forza3 on my Dad’s 360 almost every day for 6 months in the run up to GT5’s release, and loved playing it.
Each game has their good and bad points, but Forza3 has more cons compared.
Again, this is JUST MY OPINION and I’m not saying Forza is crap.
nofi
Comments are opinion by default, aren’t they? :)
One day I’m hoping for a game with Forza’s straight forward UI and interface and GT5’s visuals. Somewhere between the two physics wise would be perfect.
cc_star
Shift2, now they don’t have to pander to the mass-market like they did with Shift1?
Juelz345
Exactly Burnout. It’s all opinions.
I have a another friend who was a huge fan of forza 3, who bought a ps3 for GT5 ad hasn’t turned his 360 on since.
It’s just the comments that imply (or in some cases directly state) that people’s opinions are wrong simply because they differ, that drive me cazy. Both games are great games. If you only own one console then obviously you should just get the which ever game is for your console, but the need to justify owning one over the other or to universally declare your own choice as the better one is just ignorant. But alas, this is the internet.
Greek-BBQ
Perfect game in my opinion =
GT3 + HD + GT5 tracks + Special events + New cars + Forza body customisations = “Da bomb”
mushi_mush
GT5 should be played with the GT wheel. i could compare playing racing game with the controller as having sex with condom. There is no feel pushing x, squares and etc. Downside to xbox is that they do not allow to use 3rd party gear. MS wheel is a joke and should be donated to some african country, maybe kids there will find where to use it.
Having said that i can agree that GT5 is not perfect. But then again, which game is perfect? exactly. Driving experience in GT5 is much more engaging. If you are after quick race & bum bum, then F3 or Mario Brother is right up to your alley.
Juelz345
“MS wheel is a joke and should be donated to some african country, maybe kids there will find where to use it.”
Really? Taking shots at 3rd world, impoverished counties is what you consider humor?
And you’re really comparing forza to mario kart (i’m assuming you meant kart and not brothers)? Really? Seriously?
“Driving experience in GT5 is much more engaging”…this OBVIOUSLY your opinion and not a fact.
The level of ignorance in your comment is over whelming.
oh and
“i could compare playing racing game with the controller as having sex with condom”…wow.
You should really be looking forward to puberty.
mushi_mush
sorry, i didnt want to be rude or something. MS ban on any 3rd party gear really annoys me. Okay, maybe my comments are a bit OTT but you cant say i’m wrong, just because truth and reality bites. mate, puberty or not puberty is irelevant to this topic. If you are upset about my comment then pls accept my apologies.
Voganlight
MS doesn’t have a ban on third party software… They’re just not allowed to be wireless. There are dozens of good Xbox compatible wheels!
Juelz345
Here is a link on MS’s site that shows several 3rd party wheels:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Xbox360/Accessories/ThirdPartyAccessories
So i’m saying that you’re wrong because “truth and reality bites”. I’m saying you’re wrong because you’re wrong.
Please not that, that was the one thing in your first comment that i didn’t comment on, because it wasn’t the part that bothered me, wrong or not.
So while no apology is necessary, it is accepted.
And i see that i was a little harsh with the puberty thing, so my apologies.
But the caparison to F3 and mario kart…i mean…*rubs ear lobes and chants*
3shirts
So, are you saying playing a racing game without a controller is irresponsible and dangerous unles you are in a long-term relationship or have both been tested? I’m confused
beeje13
He just Attacked GT%5 as though he was paid/is a secret fanboy.
Why start comparing controllers (he even contradicts developers and says the dualshock isn’t as precise..)
GT5 is not a gung ho boy racer, it is a remarkable piece of engineering, its about driving mainly, not racing.
If you think about it, mostly what he says is opinion, but he presents everything as a fact. Like other people have said, why is there a need for a direct comparison.
yzfmike
and they say in teh article there was an update. heres it copied from there page: (Update 12/21: A massive, 608-MB update was released that expands mechanical damage gamewide, and also adds new events and more. Click here to get the full scoop on the patch.) Last i checked the update were only 150 MB or so till this last one which was 300 or 301 MB. So they dont have their facts right too.
BurnoutAddict
Actually there has been about 4 updates. 1 was around 100MB, 2 have been around the 350MB mark, and there was one about 600MB.
Each one has added new features and improvements.
Smallville2106
I really like Forza 3 but from what I have played of GT5 so far I do prefer Sony’s effort. Both are great games though.
mushi_mush
okay, chaps! i am not a fanboy, trust me. if you enjoy whatever you enjoy, i am happy about it!
by the way, i’ve checked the link above and it didnt impress me. Well, but thats my opinion :)
razz1909
Add me for B spec driver psn id razz1909
3shirts
Aaaand the award for most spammy comment goes to…
Foxhound_Solid
Having played both for me Forza is just Sega GT HD.
GT5 is the pinnacle of driving games, the number one, the Ryu, The Solid Snake, The Nathan Drake, The Sack Boy.
Its the best of its genre without doubt.
Simples.
3shirts
Ken is better than Ryu
yapyap
When I read it was an american based automobile magazine I already knew the outcome would be the game from the american company would be viewed as better.
clashcityrocker
I’m guessing the advertising budgets are at work here. I wonder how much Microsoft paid for this article, as clearly it’s utter tripe. Anyone that thinks GT5 is any less of a generation ahead of Forza series (including the upcoming Forza4) is clearly a worthless idiot.