GT5: Best Looking Game of All Time?

We've seen racing games approach photo realism in the past. Certain shots during replay modes in Gran Turismo Prologue, for instance, can temporarily trick the eye into thinking you are seeing the real thing. The images below also illustrate exactly how close Gran Turismo 5 has come to matching the real thing. Can you pick the two apart?



Now that Gran Turismo 5 is right around the corner, it seems as if they are about to redefine what a good looking racing game is supposed to look like. Not only are we getting crisp, amazingly detailed graphics, but some brand new technologies are now making their way into what could amount to the most immersive, realistic visual experience ever delivered in a video game.


First of all, there is the full head tracking offered by PlayStation Eye. Move your head forward while in cockpit view, you see more of the car around you, as if you are looking through a window rather than a flat screen (see the video below for an example). Turn it to the side, look out your side window. This alone brings the level of visual realism miles beyond what has ever been done in a videogame before. We've seen tech demos, like the one below (bear in mind that PSEye doesn't require the glasses), but this is the first time an actual console videogame has been confirmed to be using such technology.



But, it gets better. Not only do you get a 3D-like view with the head tracking, but if you have a 3D capable TV, you also get to see the image in full 3D. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has already been shown running in 3D, with stunning results described as "like looking through a window". With a sense of depth being so important to driving, this is sure to add a lot of overall immersion to Gran Turismo 5's visual experience.



So there you have it. A nearly photo realistic game featuring full head tracking, and also displaying in 3D. Imagine flying around corners, turning your head to the left while leaning forward to look out your side window and see an opponent racing past you (and actually being able to accurately judge in 3D how far he is from you, letting you known exactly how much room you have to work with before bumping into him), all in near photo realistic quality graphics. How much better can it get? Not all that much, until we figure out how to make (and until you can afford) a holodeck.