That's what I thought. To me it looks like it's midway through a multi-pass render.

I also get a strange rippling effect - it’s like the top of the screen has not quite caught up with the bottom (or vice versa). When playing the game, it feels like someone is quickly unfolding the screen like one would a map. This is on a 1080p TV.

I kind of feel like it’s very much 1.0 software, and until the 1.1 is pushed out of the door, it will continue to be a bit shaky.

Now that makes it more appealing.

It was said on another site the light, medium and heavy damage options are online modes only

Dont know how true it is myself as I havent played it yet

Be handy if someone could verify that.

Looks like it is just the mulitplayer at the moment, accourding to gamerant clicky.

If they extend it to the single player I would then consider it but it's the one unrealistic aspect to the game that puts me off.

Edit: That said I'm not at work today and I just saw an advert for it, the graphics do look cool.

Last I heard the damage was unlocked at level 20 in single player. It's quite mild at level 20 but scales up towards level 40.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGWih-RTbXQ

GT just doesn't seem right with car damage. Hammering down a straight to a hairpin using an opponent to slow down (and knocking them off the track) rather than using brakes was a great aspect of the game. True, it's not a real simulation, but it certainly is fun.

On the AI subject that keeps cropping up, this is helpful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_HJSJLL8_I&feature=youtu.be

OMFG - I just ordered a G27 and Wheel Stand Pro! The G27 shows on play as 3-5 weeks (out of stock) so it should hopefully get here in time for my birthday.

It better be bloody good!!!

On a side note do I get F1 2010 or wait for the inevitable 2011 update?

A sad 40 year old playing on his Xmas pressie....(GT5, wheel stand pro and GT wheel set) f-ing good though lol

Edit - check out the slippers too....

Any golds yet?

I finally setup the WheelStandPro and G27 and popped GT5 in the PS3. I've only had a couple of hours on it so far so couldn't do a comprehensive review but I thought I'd give my first impressions.

Firstly the wheel (although not officially supported) is amazing. I've used wheels in the past, most recently the MS Wheel with Forza 2, and they've been pants. In the case of Forza 2 it made the game more difficult. I was told you need to 'get used to it' but that seemed backwards to me. Surely a driving game ought to feel more natural with a wheel?

Well GT5 with the G27 does! From the off everything just felt right. On only the second license test I grabbed a gold using the throttle and steering to accurately (and quickly) to drive around a corner. I'm honestly blown away by it. The control you have over the car is unlike any driving game/wheel combination I've ever played. Of course this could be as much to do with the wheel as the game itself but together they make a potent combination.

Jumping into a race was more of the same. Over steering, catching slides, feathering the throttle, etc. All of this using manual gears and the in car views only too.

First impressions of the game were generally good too. The intro is a little up its own arse of course and the menu layout is a little bit all over the place but playing for the first hour was definitely a good experience. Getting the first license does not take long and the karting, Nascar and Top Gear special events were quickly unlocked meaning you could earn a few credits before jumping into full racing events (which I unfortunately did not do).

My first port of call though was the 2nd hand dealership to buy my first car. As usual with GT games you're going to start with a Yaris, MX5 or obscure Japanese car but I was surprised by being able to stretch my c20k to a bright yellow Celica. And this is where I got my first shock.

Although admittedly the premium cars look stunning (in the showroom) the basic cars are shockingly bad. The Celica I bought looks completely out of place in the game. I've previously heard the views of others and followed the fanboy fights but I honestly did not expect the car to look that bad. It's certainly not what I expect from my beloved GT series.

It didn’t fair any better at the racetrack either. The environments are nothing special to look at and not up to a quality I was expecting. I honestly believe Forza 3 environments look better. Then there are the shadows. Oh the shadows. For reasons I cannot fathom the shadows appear to have been cut with a serrated blade. They're not just jaggy though. On the previous into to Nascar as a camera panned around the bonnet shadow in the stock car was jumping around like it was impersonating a graphic equaliser. Not good.

On the whole though my first couple of hours on GT5 have been pleasant. I do believe the wheel has a lot to do with this as the realism and fun it provides enables me to overlook some of the other gripes I have with the game. It does not matter for example that the menu system isn’t great when all I'm interesting in is getting on the tarmac for a race. I also suspect - as with previous GT games - I'm going to be playing this for many many months to come and ignoring the gripes the 'full' GT experience I've come to know and love over the years is all present an correct.

Being a user of both the main consoles I'm also aware Forza 4 is out later this year. In my eyes though it is no longer a competitor for GT5 as I have no interest in going back to racing on a joypad.

The Good
Massive depth/longevity
Fun/Realism with the wheel
Premium cars

The Bad
Some graphics are below par
Menu system isn’t great
G27 not officially supported (sort it out Polyphony!)
Crashing = bumper cars

I'm really pleased with the Logitech GT wheel and especially the Wheel Stand Pro which is an amazing but simple devise so I can only sit back in admiration at your setup veato with the G27. Can I ask what games support the G27 for the gate gear change and clutch pedal etc?

I totally agree with you review by the way, GT5 feels right played with a wheel and pedals as does F1 but when I tried it on Racing Driver ‘GRID’ which I have canned off and online using the PS3 controller it was terrible. I couldn’t complete a lap without spinning off etc and I kept with it for half an hour but it didn’t get any better.