Ok, here comes a honest opinion from a guy who played all the GT series, and played LFS since early 2004 until now:
First of all, let me say, LFS is still the best when it comes to physics. Not a big surprise, right?
I've always enjoyed the GT series. I just love cars way too much that the bad physics would keep me from playing them. However, when i discovered LFS, it really opened my eyes. Until that point, i thought GT physics would be more or less decent... boy was i wrong!
Nevertheless, i still bought GT4 when it came out. I was quite disappointed with the physics, since i thought they would have improved surely. But no, GT4 physics were in fact almost a step back from GT3 in my opinion. This was the point where i've pretty much given up any hope for better physics with the GT series. It looked like they took the wrong direction... and it all went downhill. It was still a fun game... just to have some fun from time to time and to enjoy the good looking cars.
But now it comes... all this talk about GT5P and all the vids have made me curious. Curious enough to go and buy a PS3, including a G25. I've wanted a G25 for LFS since a long time anyway...
To be honest, my expectations were really low regarding the physics. But i just couldn't resist the temptation of those stunning visuals.
First i tried it with my projector on the big screen... with a pad. It looked amazing, but i was instantly disappointed with the physics. For example, Forza Motorsport 2 is well playable with a joypad while still being "simulation like". GT5P is a complete joke with a joypad. I won't go into any more detail here... it's just complete rubbish, like GT4 (a little better, but it feels terribly similar).
But with the joypad already, regardless the bad physics, i kept playing it for almost 4 hours. Simply because it was still good fun, and looked quite impressive graphics wise.
Then the next day...
I decided to give it a try with the G25. Connected the PS3 to my LCD screen and set up the G25 at the desk.
When you play with the joypad, you can turn of all driving aides etc. But when you connect the wheel, it gives you an additional option to choose, called "simulation" or something like that. I wasn't hoping for much, but gave it a try.
And here it comes...
I was quite impressed!
When i want to see how good the physics of a game/sim are, i always test it with attempting to drift. You'll notice best how good or bad physics are, when you go over the limit.
Now, you can't really compare the physics to LFS. It's still the best there is. But GT5P on simulation mode with a G25 is far better than expected!
I think where the physics of LFS really are standing out is when you start sliding around. You will notice the lack of the LFS tire physics then. I wouldn't say it feels like that "hovercraft" so many people use to describe the GT physics. But you can feel that there is no tire deformation etc.
However...
I've played GT4 with the DFP in 900 degree mode. And compared to this, GT5P improved A LOT!
It's better than GTR and Rfactor etc IMO. Still far away from LFS, but definately decent and playable. The FFB is good and makes you feel the car/weight of the car really good. The handling is predictable, and controllable. With the G25 it feels definately good. Physics are closer to what i would call "simulation", rather than being arcade-ish.
Now that said, go figure...
Halfway decent and very well controllable and predictable physics, plus amazing visuals. Makes a great driving experience for me!
I prefer this to the LFS "combination" of superior physics and outdated graphics. There is no doubt about how superior the physics are compared to any other driving/racing sim out there, but that's about it. If i want great physics or good online racing, i'll go for LFS. If i want decent physics and great visuals/immersion (GT5P graphics), then i'll go for GT5P however.
Again, there doesn't need to be a discussion about which one offers better physics. LFS is clearly the winner. But GT5P with the G25 feels like driving a car after all. And this combined with those visuals... hard to beat, really!
I'm not saying "goodbye to LFS". That would be pretty stupid... but i sure will be buying GT5 when it comes out, and i'll enjoy it a lot, pretty sure about that. Hell, i'm having a blast with GT5P already now!
I'll soon make a little vid of my driving/drifting tests.
Anyway, both people in this thread need to open their eyes. The ones who think GT5P is the ultimate sim, because they couldn't be more wrong (LFS still is!)... and the people who think GT5P hasn't improved since GT4, since it really has, and is quite decent now!