GT Racing: Motor Academy App Review

Official TB verdict: 9/10

If you have a PSP then at the top of your racing games list will most probably be Gran Turismo – and unfortunately for iPhone users this means they will never get to experience Gran Turismo on their device. But alas my iPod Touch and iPhone gaming nuts, because GT Racing: Motor Academy is the next best thing to the original great game.

With loads of features including over 100 officially licensed cars (including the Bugatti Veyron and Ferarri FXX) and driving tests ranging from category C to S, GT Racing is a completely justifiable and undeniable download that although in places might lack the heart-pounding passion of Need for Speed Shift, is rescued by the truly beautiful graphics and glossy feel given to the cars.

If you are used to racers such as Gran Turismo and Need for Speed the first thing that will strike you is the somewhat ‘un-passionate’  feel GT Racing has. It feels almost too refined, rather than focusing on being fun and arcade defined.

However, GT Racing: Motor Academy is built to shine the spotlight on its stars — the machines — which look gorgeous running on my test iPhone 3G S and iPod touch 3rd Gen (8 GB). Pulled from 24 different manufacturers from Ford to Ferrari, the garage in GT Racing is the largest found on any iPhone game, and it is understandable why Gameloft may have been inclined to ditch anything that would have taken attention away from the vehicles themselves. Examples of fantastic cars included in the Game Include the BMW M3, Bugatti Veyron, Audi R8, Ferrari FXX, Ferarri 599 GTO, lotus Exige and the Renault Megane Sport.

GT Racing rewards precision over brawn, even in the jump-in-and-play highly addictive arcade mode (which in instances is far more fun than career mode, as you can drive supercars straight away). There is a certain class of racing gamer that adores this style of driving as evidenced by the huge success and volume of followers for Gran Turismo. That same player will absolutely love GT Racing. However, if you like pure arcade racing and love your time trials then GT Racing is probably not for you. You might be better getting Gameloft’s Asphalt series, Need for Speed, or I-play’s Fast & Furious if you are looking for an arcade gamer.

Perhaps where this game differs the most from other racers for the iPhone is its controls – which are perfect. The accelerometer proves to be incredibly responsive, and you can set the sensitivity of it too. Hitting the apex is not a problem – nor is overtaking. But bare in mind that the handling of different cars is surprisingly realistic and you might find yourself spinning the Ferrari your driving on the corner you found taking the Golf round easy.

The tuning capabilities on this racer are also quite impressive for a ‘Gran Turismo’ orientated game. You are able to suit up your engine, suspension, strip weight, change tires and more. You get three levels of upgrading per category e.g. Tires and each upgrade is reasonably priced allowing you to rip opponents to shreds in your next career race.

Although at times un-passionate, GT Racing: Motor Academy is by far and away the best racer for the iPhone and iPod touch. The career mode is full of challenges, the car list vast – and most of all you are not limited to just asphalt tracks as there are dirt tracks typically seen on Colin Mcrae rally. Un-passionate? Sure. But for the price, and the graphics and handling, GT Racing: Motor Academy should be hot on your list for app downloads. 9/10.