I wouldn't say it was the best, unless we're arguing that from a sales-numbers perspective. And even then, we'd need some hard proof that the formula was what resonated so well with buyers.
(Though, I agree; for me personally, I prefer GT's formula over most other games in the genre. 👍 )
In a sales perspective, the old formula made it the "go to" game for those who wanted one game that could offer a lot, so is, atleast in part, a reason to outsell the rest of the games in the genre that are very limited by comparison.
It was the best because it offered a bit of both worlds along with some GT'ness to it.
Now, imagine that classic formula, with the improved physics from GTS, the improved sounds we got so far, the good looks of the game on ps3 (or even ps4), and a constantly updated car and track list. Wouldn't that make it a great game? Only lacking improved AI, that could be improved over the game's life cycle.
You'll note, more often than not, the people accusing PD of not listening to their fanbase are those that aren't having their own personal demands met.
And this brings a problem, if a certain part of the fanbase wants X feature, and the other part wants the complete opposite, what should they do?
The standard cars were example of that, some people didn't want them in the game, others wanted. PD had to choose, and choosing would automatically be taken by those that weren't favored by that choice as "they don't listen to their fans". And this is a problem. There is no "greater good" in those arguments. The "greater good" probably says no to hardcore sim physics in GT, but those that want that, will say PD doesn't listen to them, as their fans.
Even the sounds suffer from that division in the fanbase. Some want realistic sounds, others exaggerated and ultra loud ones.
The thing is, this is true of every game in the genre. Every game gets compared with the rest of its contemporaries; it's not unique to GT.
Arguably, more so than most of the competition, GT has long staked its reputation on being a jack-of-all-trades game anyway, so there is reason for people to want it to continue that by including what it is missing from the rest of the genre. It's one of the reasons why I'm skeptical of GT Sport's chances at sales success; its a completely different sort of game.
I partially agree. Pretty much all the games are compared to others just because they have cars, which is wrong. But GT tends to be attacked from every side from people wanting it to be everything each of those games are, separately.
Being a jack-of-all-trades doesn't mean the game has to be the best in everything. When there are things, such as the Livery Editor, that are missing from GT, then it makes sense to ask for them. But when people ask for gameplay features (like the physics from hardcore sims), it becomes impossible to make a game that is enjoyable to almost everyone. There are features that are specific to a certain type of game in the genre, others are not.
And I'm also skeptical about this game, but I will give it a try, mainly because I love cars and GT always gave me the best, most confortable, feel while driving them. Is neither too easy or too hard, to drive the cars. The content is the only thing that makes me concerned.
It should be whatever Polyphony wants it to be, really. 👍
Yes, it will always depend on their vision of the game. And their vision from the past, was the one that I enjoyed the most and probably a lot more people will miss that.
It's not official 
