Gran Turismo 2 is so huge; it comes on two discs. The first disc is for Arcade play; the
second disc is for Simulation play. This latter mode is where you will drive yourself
nuts, obsessing over every nut and bolt available to you.
"In Simulation Mode, your objective is to collect prize money by winning races and then
use that money to upgrade to better, faster cars in order to win more advanced races."
(Sony's manual)
Your first task in Simulation mode is to purchase a car. Go to the manufacturers icon
and browse through the selections. Next, you need to obtain a license by taking some
driving tests.
Several different types of licenses grant you certain levels of access to race events.
The more difficult the license test, the more advanced races you will be able to enter…
and the more money you will make.
The simulation mode is for one player only (arcade supports two), and only in this mode
will you find the wheel shop (buy tires), machine test area, car wash, and personal
garage (under the home icon). The garage is, obviously, where you store all the cars
you own. A varied collection is helpful when tackling a variety of courses and road
conditions.
At home, you can check on the status of your car or switch cars. At the manufacturer's
place, you can buy new or used cars, or even get a tune-up. We recommend getting
tune-ups regularly for a solid investment.
Gran Turismo 2 has it all. With nearly 600 cars, over 20 tracks, licensed properties
galore, a car wash, and upgrades for clutch, suspension, tires, muffler, brakes, engine,
and weight reduction, the experience is a little overwhelming. Cars are noticeably
affected with each alteration, and the quest for vehicular perfection can be quite
addictive.
The manual offers driving tips for beginners as well as advanced players. You can
bone up on everything from spinouts to front and rear weight handling.
The following car brands are featured in the game: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi,
BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lotus, Mazda,
Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, MG, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Plymouth, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota,
Volkswagen, and more. I am a bit annoyed at how so many cars are initially
unavailable.
The main reason to buy this game is to fantasize about owning some of these cars in
real-life… but personally, I could care less about what I drive, as long as it works. My
only complaint is the graphics. I was expecting more pizazz for a 20% improvement in
3-D calculation programming.
Sony deserves major credit for agreeing to replace copies that shipped with bugs,
though many of you might not notice or care.
Overall, the amount of detail in this product is impressive and commendable.
Developers with a Cameron-esque ("Titanic") commitment to quality are a dying breed.
Following in the footsteps of Rare and Nintendo's EAD development group, Polyphony
Digital Inc. doesn't just throw in bells and whistles; it makes them integral to game play
and vital for success.
Publisher: Sony