Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Overall, the presentation in Prologue is gorgeous. Road textures look rough and gritty, while vehicles sparkle under sunlight. The series debuts an interior dash view, an unbelievably realistic vantage point for driving. You'll see your driver's hands move as he shifts gears. The first out-of-control spin you perform feels dizzying. The sounds of tires screeching and engines revving contribute greatly to the authenticity. The series still doesn't show the effects of damage. For example, your car can slam into a wall at top speed and still look good as new.

Cars handle very well, as each model feels as unique as they look. The pacing in difficulty is handled quite well. The beginners' C circuit gives novices a good starting point to learn the control basics and vehicle handling. Also, the vehicular skills of computer opponents ratchets up quickly as you progress to tougher circuits. Since you have few tracks and vehicles, both the single player and online modes are limited. But Prologue still packs a ton of horsepower.