Is Gran Turismo Broken?

I originally posted this on the PSM forums. I think that the Gran Turismo series is fantastic, but there's just something missing... something important... it's tough for me to put my finger on. I think that the biggest point, which I come around to below, is that it doesn't do the job of cultivating the love for cars in people who aren't already car freaks. Anyhoo, here's the post...

--------------------

For the fourth Gran Turismo game in a row, I've gotten all excited about the graphics and the career mode, then tossed the game aside after just one play. Technically, there's no question that this game is amazing. If someone asks me to name PS2's top games, I always instinctively include the lastest Gran Turismo title in the list. But, as good as I believe it to be, I just never have much fun with it — really, I've enjoyed Ridge Racers on the PSP an infinite amount more.

It comes down to the fact that I don't know jack about cars. I know that this is a series primarily aimed at car fanatics, so I've just shrugged off my apathy in the past, content that "some people" out there can really enjoy these games. But now I'm starting to think that maybe the developers have blown a crucial part of game making.

See, Gran Turismo is a major franchise — an EVENT franchise. It's a system seller. Although the core group of GT fans are probably gearheads that can appreciate a game made just for them, what about the majority of the gamers that buy these games because they're the best-looking, highest-reviewed racing games on the market? Why should we be left out of the fun?

Now, I don't mean to lump everyone else in here with me, and I know that — if I really wanted to put in the extra effort — I could read the faqs and do some car research to brush up. But I guess my point is that this game — or any game, really — shouldn't force me to do homework just to play. I mean, this is a series that's made from the developers' pure love of cars, and it's meant to spread that passion amongst its players — shouldn't Gran Turismo aspire to cultivate that passion for cars in people? To actually turn gamers into car lovers?

I don't think that the gameplay should change, but the series' total audience would be much better served if it guided them more, explained complicated concepts; introduced us to these types of things. I'd love to think that, after sitting down and learning to play GT, I come out of it learning, and loving, a lot more about driving. Instead, the moment I start up career mode I have no idea which car to buy, no idea what the differences are or how it will affect my racing. It's a very common trend these days for games of any kind to have built-in tutorials to get you going, but GT just has the driving tests, which don't do nearly enough.

Sorry if this sounds like whining to any GT experts out there; I just really want in on your series. Actually, my above opinions are in constant flux, which is why I thought I'd post. Am I on to something, or should I just accept that this is a game made only for an elite group of gamers with deep car knowledge? Or, do you guys disagree that the effort involved to "get up to speed" is asking too much?

--------------------

There's been some great feedback to the post, and people are still chiming in with their opinions. Maybe after the thread calms down I'll revisit this subject with some of the best responses.