It still seems surreal that we’ve been playing a new Gran Turismo game for the past month. In that time, players have had the chance to dig deep into Polyphony’s latest and uncover all secrets hidden within. However, there is one option that a lot of people may have looked over or even scoffed at when booting up the game. Believe it or not, we’re going to be talking about GT Sport’s motion controlled steering.
I Know What You’re Thinking… Why?
The inclusion of motion controlled turning in a simulation may seem strange. It certainly caught us off-guard seeing the game prompt us to try out steering similar to that found in Mario Kart or other arcade racers. GT Sport is far from the first realistic racer to offer the option but it is one of the few that pushes the option on you at the beginning of the game. Because of this, we thought it was worth seeing just how well GT Sport plays with this control scheme.
The best aspect of the control method is that it offers a steering wheel-like experience without having to fiddle with any settings for hours on end. You simply click the option and you’re sorted. Then, comes the important part — is it any good?
It’s Actually Very Fun and Pretty Accurate
Truth be told, we were sceptical going into this test. Occasionally you see that person online that proclaims everyone is missing out by not giving it a go. The level of enthusiasm usually comes off as overcompensating and most people give a raised eyebrow and move on. This time, it may be worth taking notice.
For the sake of the test, we decided to drive three Arcade races on Expert difficulty. The A.I. are hardly Hamilton-esque in their speed on this setting but it’s the best the mode currently offers.
The first test was a three lap race on Dragon Trail in the Group 3 machines with the car of choice being the Dodge Viper Gr.3. As soon as the race started, it was easy to notice just how responsive the car was. We were fearful of a sloppy and heavy experience that was impossible to judge but the Viper felt as nimble as it did with other controller options. Turning the DualShock 4 also takes a little time to get used to but within half a lap, motion controls feel natural. Zipping in and around the opposition cars was as simple as it would be with the analog sticks. So far, so good.
Test number two was a race in an N-class Subaru WRX on Lake Maggiore. We wanted to check just how well the weight transfer of the road cars could be corrected. Results showed us that a combination of the DS4 vibrations and slight motion adjustments actually allowed us to be reasonably quick.
Finally, it was time to take on Interlagos in a Group 4 Ferrari 458 Italia. This experience felt similar to that of the Gr.3 car, with sharp handling and enough speed to overtake in corners. With a newly gained familiarization in motion controls, our Ferrari dominated the pack.
So, Does That Mean I Should Drop Regular Controls and Use Motion?
Not exactly. Whilst motion controls allow us to compete in the game’s offline challenges, it lacks the nuance found in other options. Analogue, steering wheels and even the D-Pad just allow for corrections a lot easier. We talked earlier about the benefit of having a turning system similar to an actual wheel but without true force feedback, it sometimes feels like a losing battle when the rear end starts to go.
All things considered, we still recommend giving motion controls a go. Not only is it an under-utilized tool in GT Sport’s control set, it feels great. The car’s turning circle is more naturally managed that a regular control option, which is nice for those without a wheel.
It’s also a great way to introduce new players to the game. Playing a realistic racing game can always feel a little foreign for those that haven’t done it before, but the idea of twisting the controller in the air is arguably more natural than having to memorize the pad’s layout.
You probably won’t see the sim racing aliens wagglin’ their way to the GT Academy finals but it’s still fun. Fancy a way to spice up your GT Sport experience? You could do a lot worse than trying out motion controls.
This article was inspired by the excellent community thread from Blindside92.
Featured image courtesy of PirulerRacing.
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