Worth the wait: Gran Turismo 5 finally arrives

First announced in 2006, Gran Turismo 5 has been on the wanted list of racing game fans for a number of years but a number of production delays have kept them waiting. This latest instalment in one of the biggest video games franchises around finally arrives in the UK this November and looks set to ramp up the realism thanks to years of painstaking research going into ensuring every car looks, sounds and feels exactly as it would in real life.



GT5 will also add a further touch of authenticity previously lacking in the series by including realistic external vehicle damage for the first time in Gran Turismo history. The available vehicles will be split into ‘standard' and ‘premium' groups, with the former featuring limited damage including dents and scratches, while the latter cars will feature fully-fledged damage modelling as well as a selectable cockpit view featuring incredible interior detail and working headlights capable of both high and low beam settings.



The single player mode will continue to offer a huge challenge, giving the player a staggering amount of choice of 1,031 different cars, all of which will handle uniquely. McLaren will make its debut as a manufacturer in GT5, while Lamborghini and Bugatti vehicles will make their first appearance in the full console versions of Gran Turismo, having been previously introduced in Gran Turismo PSP.



All vehicles will be able to be put through their paces on a selection of 71 different tracks in 26 worldwide locations, with night driving options adding an extra challenge. The addition of World Rally Championship, NASCAR and Super GT licences as well as go-karting sections serve as extra evidence that the staff at developer Polyphony Digital haven't been sitting on their hands during the game's many delays.



Another first for the Gran Turismo franchise is the online multiplayer mode, which will allow up to 16 players battle it out at once, while creative types will also be given the opportunity to come up with their own legendary tracks thanks to a course creator. All in all, Gran Turismo 5 packs in a huge amount of content, making it superb value for money.



Perfect for anyone with even a passing interest in racing games, the Gran Turismo series has been given the tag ‘The Real Driving Simulator' for a reason; when even the most jaded gamer witnesses the sheer amount of detail that has been lovingly poured into Gran Turismo 5 there will be no doubt in their mind that the long, long wait has been worth it. GT5 will be released exclusively for the PS3 on November 24; going on the popularity of previous games in the series it's bound to fly off the shelves, so be sure to grab your copy before the Christmas rush!