Gran Turismo 5 (GT5) update 1.05

Yes, I'm reviewing a game update. Why? Because I can, and because I'm quite impressed with what it offers. As you'll know if you've read my previous review of the game itself, I was pretty pleased with it though there were some problems. This update doesn't address many of them but it really doesn't matter. In the intervening time I've really fell in love with the game and play it regularly. This update offers a lot more functionality and fun. I'm still shit on-line, mind you.

By far the best thing in 1.05 is the ability to backup your save to a USB device. This essential omission was rendered vitally important by the fact that going on-line can result in lock-ups that occasionally corrupt your save. Whilst the lock-ups happen a lot less now it's still great to know your progression can be saved. You still can't swap saves with others, which is good, but it's not known whether they are locked to account or PS3 unit - pretty vital if you change PS3s and want to keep your save.

Seasonal Events are brilliant. They offer a lot of fun, close racing and lots of credit and xp. They are updated regularly, are open for around two weeks and let you race, time trial or drift. They tend to have very strict regulations and most of the race events restrict you to a single vehicle that you can hardly tune at all. This leads to very close, tough racing. I can only get silver at best but it's great fun trying to find just a second or two more out of a track.

The new Hot Car dealership offers you access to 12 cars (and trucks) that will help complete particular events. These will be occasionally updated. In addition, you now get credits and xp for on-line races where your distance driven and number of wins are now saved. Mine still reads 0. Oh, and the shadows have changed - they're slightly smoother but still pretty shitty.

Finally, until January 11th, we get more rewards for doing A- and B-Spec events. A really good gesture to wrap up a really good update. What's impressed me most is that these additions, for the main part, are neither fixes nor things they wanted to put in the game, they are genuinely new things to do. And they're a lot of fun. Nice one Polyphony Digital.

Playstation blog on the update.