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Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

From [[Gran Turismo Wiki]], the up-and-coming encyclopedia of the Real Driving Simulator that [[Help:Editing|anyone can edit]]

Gran Turismo 3

Developer Polyphony Digital
Publisher Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer Kazunori Yamauchi
Engine Custom
Platorm PlayStation 2
Release dates JP April 28, 2001
NA July 10, 2001
EU July 20, 2001
Genre Racing
Modes Single player
Multiplayer
Ratings ESRB: Everyone
PEGI: 3+
OFLC: G
Media 1 DVD-ROM
Input Methods Daul Shock 2
GT Force

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is the third game in the Gran Turismo series. It is the first in the Gran Turismo series to be released for the PlayStation 2. Gran Turismo 2000 was the working name used when demonstrated at E3 2000/2001.

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

As with its predecessors, the basic aim of the game is to win all the provided races and championships, complete license tests, and achieve 100% game completion. Every 25% of the game completed results in the player being awarded a car as a special prize.

[edit] Changes from previous games

Gran Turismo 3: A-spec underwent many changes over the previous Gran Turismo 2.

The Arcade Mode is reorganized in "stages"; these stages are made up of 5 or 6 tracks pooled from all available tracks in the game, including both road and rally races. To get to the next stage, all tracks on a stage must be completed on Easy difficulty or higher. By beating the stage on Normal or Difficult, additional cars are unlocked as well for play in any mode of Arcade Mode (including two-player battle and time trial).

The Simulation Mode has a reorganized layout, with a more structured and progressive arrangement of races and challenges. Races vary from short beginner events to multi-hour endurance races and also rallying events against an opponent. In addition, the car shops are now organized by country and then by manufacturer, which some find to be more intuitive than the East/West City method used in its predecessor. On the downside, far fewer vehicles are available in Gran Turismo 3: A-spec (just over 150 in total) than Gran Turismo 2 (around 650). This is attributed largely to the work needed for the more detailed graphics, providing detailed statistics for all the cars and the game's release being early in the PlayStation 2's lifespan. This was eventually amended in Gran Turismo 4 (with 700+ cars, the exact number depending on the game's region).

In GT3, two special F1 spec cars can be unlocked by winning endurance races. These cars are labeled as the Polyphony 001 and 002, as opposed to being named after actual F1 car manufacturers. As expected, they perform significantly better than the other vehicles featured in the game. The only liability of the two is that they wear out tires in less laps than usual. Players cannot buy harder tire compounds to fit on them.

Other changes were the omission of the ability to "race modify" or add down force to production cars, removal of suspension damage and also re-absent of torque limits to races.

[edit] Tracks

[edit] Soundtrack

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec featured twenty different songs on its soundtrack. These songs ranged from classic rock to rap. Below is the list of songs featured in the game.

  • Are Your Gonna Go My Way? (GRAN TURISMO Remix) - Lenny Kravitz
  • Satisfied - 8 Stops 7
  • Stop the Rock (Mint Royale Mix) - Apollo Four Fourty
  • Mad Skillz - Mic Chekka - BT
  • Break In - CiRRUS
  • glowl - daiki kasho
  • mirage - daiki kasho
  • obscure - daiki kasho
  • sky scraper - daiki kasho
  • strike breaker - daiki kasho
  • Go Gran Turismo - Dave Aude
  • Call It Brisco (And Why Not?) - Elite Force
  • 99 Red Balloons (Adapted from '99 Luftballons) - Goldfinger
  • As Good As It Gets - Grand Theft Audio
  • Champion - Grinspoon
  • Stone Free - Jimi Hendrix
  • Turbo Lover - Judas Priest
  • Def Beat - Junkie XL
  • Crash - Methods of Mayhem
  • Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe
  • Never Enough - Papa Roach
  • Super Nova Goes Pop - Powerman 5000
  • Determination - Raekwon
  • Dogg's Turismo 3 - Snoop Dogg
  • She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
  • Again - Lenny Kravitz

[edit] Logitech steering wheel

The developers collaborated with computer and game peripheral maker Logitech for the game, which resulted in the GT Force steering wheel, which featured force feedback and was highly fitted to the game.

[edit] Reception and sales

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the finest racing games ever made IGN awarded it a 9.8 and Gamespot awarded it a 9.4. GT3 also received a platinum award from Electronic Gaming Monthly. Gran Turismo 3 has a 94% on Gamerankings as of September 6, 2008. It frequently appears on 'top 100 lists', such as IGN's Top 100.

As of April 30, 2008, the game has shipped 1.89 million copies in Japan, 7.14 million in North America, 5.85 million in Europe, and 10,000 in Southeast Asia for a total of 14.89 million copies. It is a part of the PlayStation 2's Greatest Hits.

[edit] Gran Turismo Concept

Due to GT3's good reception, three short versions titled Gran Turismo Concept were released in various parts of the world in 2002, except North America. It included new models unveiled during famous Asian and European Motor Shows.

Games
Polyphony Digital
Main Series Gran Turismo • Gran Turismo 2 • Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec • Gran Turismo 4 • Gran Turismo 5
Prologues GT4 Prologue • GT5 Prologue
Other Concept • HD Concept • GT4 Online • GT4 Mobile • GT for Boys
Retrieved from "http://gran-turismo.wikia.com/wiki/Gran_Turismo_3:_A-Spec"
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