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Tourist Trophy Mini Review
Chris Leyton
05/06/2006
Racing specialists Polyphony digital return with a two-wheel offering...
Rumoured by some to feature in the 2005 release of Gran Turismo 4, there's little doubt that the overall lack of refinement and attention paid to Polyphony Digital's latest creation, Tourist Trophy, leaves motorcycle racing feeling as little more than a dropped feature.
Judged by Polyphony's own high standards, Tourist Trophy feels closer to a GT spin-off such as the Prologue Edition, utilising the same game engine and physics models as those last seen in GT4. As a result the game perhaps isn't "The Real Riding Simulator" that motorcycle fans would hope from Kazunori Yamauchi and his dedicated team of racing specialists.
Tourist Trophy employs an almost identical structure to the Gran Turismo series, challenging players to prove their skill in a series of License tests, before taking it to the road and competing in a number of different challenges. Strangely Tourist Trophy removes any form of currency, instead rewarding players with new bikes obtained via the "Challenge Mode" which can then be used in the "Race Event" championship series. Replacing currency, in some shape, is the ability to unlock and collect a wide variety of racing accessories, such as new helmets, gloves and suits, from manufacturers across North America, Europe and Japan.
Covering the entire range of motorcycles, from 120cc scooters to 1600cc+ superbikes, Tourist Trophy maintains Polyphony's excellence when it comes to providing purists what they want. Over 130 different bikes from manufacturers such as Honda, Triumph, Ducati are included within the game, grouped into different classifications such as Street and Racing Modified.
Perhaps the most complete aspect of Tourist Trophy stems from the "Rider Form" feature, which grants players extensive control over the posture of their rider. Selecting between four pre-selected modes or customising each category individually based upon the selection of Arcade Mode or TT Mode respectively, players can modify parameters such as Head Roll Angle, Body Lean, Arm Angle, Seat Position to achieve varying characteristics such as quick cornering, improved handling, etc... It's an element of the game that borders on the retentive meticulousness that Polyphony Digital prides themselves upon, and likely an area that will appeal to the true motor racing aficionado even if the rest of the game leaves you feeling flat.
Because it's fundamentally based around the GT4 game engine, Tourist Trophy doesn't feel as refined as it probably should do once you're actually out on the road. With the exception of racing in the Professional category, applying the same knowledge used with four wheels in GT4, will largely work with two less in Tourist Trophy. As an extension of GT4 you couldn't have a complaint, but as a stand-alone title the game fails to inspire, particularly if you are keen on motorbikes. Equally, only one of the 37 tracks available is an original offering, with the remaining being lifted straight from GT4. On the plus side European fans benefit from the fact that Tourist Trophy has been significantly expanded upon its release compared to Japanese and North American versions, with extra challenges, bikes and music amongst many other inclusions.
Tourist Trophy is an entertaining diversion from the Gran Turismo series, yet it's not the complete riding simulator that fans would expect from Polyphony Digital.
Although Tourist Trophy has some real substance behind it with a wide range of bikes, licensed accessories and the particularly neat "Rider Form" feature, motorbike fans would be advised to wait for THQs MotoGP 06 which promises to offer a more conclusive experience on the actual track.
Anonymous
Date Added:Sat 8th Mar 2008 13:28