OK, to get my moans out the way
1. The graphics are not quite as spectacular as I was expecting.. I didn't fall for the photo-mode hype, but the videos that where supposed to be from in-game and replay cams seem a little better then actuality. I am genuinely will get GT5 just for the graphics fest that it is.2
2. I can't sense a huge difference in the physics between FM2 and this.. I'm using a MK1 MS Wheel, and the FFB seems a little low, coupled with the fact I expected to feel the torque steer etc (as per Race Pro)..
3. Like FM2, the AI on hardest isn't too hard at all, they could do with one higher level. All it means is, like all these games, I'll set the difficulty by ensuring my car is slightly under rated to the rest of the field.
Now onto the good bits for me..
1. The graphics get better the longer you play.. Kind of the opposite to some games. I've been playing on/off for a few hours and actually moved my 28" monitor back (was sat about 1 foot infront of it, but it fills too much of your peripheral vision and accentuates the jaggies..). The aliasing is disappearing as I'm starting to ignore it, and the backgrounds are stunning. I especially like the helicopter view where you can see lots of the track, seeing all the cars going round at different points is very nice. Chase cam shows a huge improvement in the car models and reflections, shame I can't race like this, but actually in motion it's very good, and a match at times for GT5p. Bonnet cam reflections are superb as well. I actually like the cockpit view, and think I could be tempted out of bumper cam (which is higher then the usual bumper cam). The cockpit graphics are pretty much OK, high enough res detail etc, but some surface textures are missing a bit of 'texture'..
2. The physics still feels very good, my issue is the demo has no adjustment, so for example, the throttle is way too sensitive, as is the brakes, and I need to turn the FFB up. I can't do an accurate appraisal as I need to try some more well known tracks to see how it reacts when it loads up, Maple Valley, the first long right hander is a great place for that in FM2. Weight transfer is accurate again, you have to be very careful under braking to get it right, and precise control of the throttle is needed to balance the car on the limit. I need to wait for the full game to see if I can increase the default feedback level, the steering wheel is far too easy to turn. I'd love someone that gets a Turbo S to tell me if that does the job, if it does, consider me selling a kidney to get one!
3. The engine sounds are incredible. I have a small 5.1 system in my study, and I've turned the in-game music off to just get the full effect, and turned it up quite loud.. The Ferrari and Audi sound really really good, lots of thunderous undertones, with the nice howl of the engine.
I was thinking if this game was totally spectacular, then I may reconside a PS3 Slim + GT5 I have asked Santa for, but actually, and it's no disrespect to FM3, I'll play it to death and probably do all my online racing on it, but I do now want to see the graphical prowess of GT5, even if I feel at this stage it won't live up to expectation in many other areas.. Having both means I can get the biggest fix.