Like Gran Turismo 3 & 4 before it, Tourist Trophy's graphical presentation is a feast for the senses. The in-game textures come off as near-photograph quality with bike models that capture even the slightest details of their real-life counterparts. Polyphony has done an amazing job with subtle lighting and shading techniques to capture everything from realistic sunsets to reflections off damp track pavement. Rider animations are nothing short of stunning, complete with licensed gear (from helmets on down to riding jackets) and the tracks themselves are near perfect renditions of the actual riding courses, complete with tire skid marks in the corners and up on the starting line.

The audio is nearly as impressive as the graphics, capturing the zing of the two-stroke 250's on up to the ferocious high RPM howl of the liter-bikes. The soundtrack itself is a tasteful blend of jazzy riffs and quick tempo techno beats. The developers clearly understand the romantic appeal of a performance engine operating in it’s sweet spot as great attention has been devoted to flawlessly blending the in-game audio at levels where it never distracts from the accurate race sounds in the forefront. Finally, a race game that realizes squealing guitars, pounding drums, and screaming are more distracting than anything else when attempting to cut microseconds off one’s lap times.

Tourist Trophy is set up nearly identically to its Gran Turismo lineage in that the game is essentially broken down into two main categories of play: Arcade & Tourist Trophy (or Career mode). Arcade, as the name suggests, is a far more simplistic, single race format in which the player selects from a fairly healthy roster of bikes and riding gear choices and then takes on either the computer or another player (split-screen) style for bragging rights.

The backbone of the game is found in the incredibly rich and fairly accurate Tourist Trophy mode. It is here that the player begins the journey for racing stardom with an empty garage, an empty wallet, and a heart full of ambition. The initial task is passing the 10 part challenges of the road tests which allot licenses based on skill level (there are 4 licenses in all to earn throughout the course of the game). Earning a license grants access to various levels of equipment which is merely the beginning of the racing process. Once you are licensed, the game offers challenges based on the bike you select. Examples include passing the computer and holding the lead within the allotted laps. Successfully beating the challenge earns you the bike in question. Mastering the initial challenges will result in several bikes occupying your garage in addition to the confidence (and skill) to begin entering your new bikes into the races (or cups as they are known). Naturally, in the Gran Turismo tradition, each bike can be fully tuned, modified, and customized from within your garage. Winning cups will result in additional bike prizes and so the process begins on the slow and steady road to racing stardom.

Fans of arcade style race games or even the technical inclination offered in games such as the ATV Off-Road Fury series will be in for a rude awakening by the first corner of the first lap in Tourist Trophy. The learning curve is extremely steep; make no mistake, the game is marketed as a riding simulator and that is exactly what it is. Much in the way Gran Turismo rewards accurate braking, perfect race course line selection, and component optimization to match the individual race course’s conditions, so too does Tourist Trophy expect such player devotion. However, Tourist Trophy piles factors such as balance and lean angles, with a far less stable vehicle into the equation. Even Gran Turismo aficionados will find that there is much to relearn in an effort to adapt to the Tourist Trophy formula.

However, despite an incredibly steep learning curve, mastering the game’s incredible physics system will result in one of the most satisfying race experiences around.

Initially, Tourist Trophy may appear overwhelming to a vast majority of gamers. Those unfamiliar with the extremely sensitive racing physics will likely become frustrated (even in Arcade mode) with attempting to keep the bike upright and on the track. Venturing over to the incredibly option-packed Career mode will likely only further contribute to the sensation of being overwhelmed. The key is to begin with the licensing road tests, then slowly progress as the game intends. Progress will appear slow initially, but the gradual understanding of the bike’s handling will become evident through your lap times. Eventually, tricky tight corners will begin to feel natural. By the time you’ve passed your Junior License road test, bike control will be second nature. The pace of the game is deliberately drawn out; after all there are few of us who expect to hop on a 200+ horsepower motorcycle, master it, then immediately begin winning races on it. Part of the simulation aspect of Tourist Trophy is starting from the bottom, then working your way up through the ranks. A great deal of patience is not only recommended, but required to succeed.

Once the initial learning curve is mastered, there is much to like about Tourist Trophy. The developers manage to capture the almost chess-like strategy involved in winning races and by awarding prizes such as new motorcycles and riding gear, finding motivation to win is never an issue. This game simply oozes with quality and top notch presentation. I was stunned by the accuracy of the bikes themselves; each of the over 100 models included is a near replica of the actual motorcycle it is based on, from available paint schemes to the sound of the exhaust note. Players will find themselves mesmerized in post-race replays for the accuracy and detail. Watching a last minute pass for the win over and over is surprisingly rewarding. Polyphony must have realized this as well as they allow you to save a library of replays onto your memory card. Tourist Trophy is certainly not for everyone, but for those who wish to savor the methodic climb to a racing championship, this game is a feasible alternative to the real thing.