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Gran Turismo and Forza. These two names are synonymous with simulation racing, representing the pinnacle of virtual motorsport from gaming giants Sony and Microsoft, respectively. While Forza has enjoyed a consistent release schedule with its Motorsport and Horizon series, Gran Turismo fans have endured a longer wait for a mainline entry – almost a decade, excluding Gran Turismo Sport.

Marking the 25th anniversary of the franchise that sold over 10 million copies worldwide and became a PlayStation best-seller, Polyphony Digital, under the legendary direction of Kazunori Yamauchi, unveiled Gran Turismo 7 at the February 2022 State of Play. Promising a return to the series’ golden age, Gran Turismo 7 invites players on a thrilling journey through the world of motorsport. Join us as we explore this highly anticipated racing simulator.

Gran Turismo 7 gameplay

A Blend of Nostalgia and Modernity

Gran Turismo 7 is more than just a competitive racing game; it’s a nostalgic experience. From the classical soundtrack to the retro-inspired menu design and map reminiscent of Gran Turismo 4, the game pays homage to its roots. A captivating opening cinematic chronicles the evolution of automotive history, from the invention of the combustion engine to the modern era of electric vehicles. Each newly acquired car, whether earned through gameplay or purchased, comes with a brief historical overview and technical specifications, adding an educational layer to the experience.

The GT Café serves as the game’s central hub, a meeting place for car enthusiasts. Luca, the café owner, guides players through “Menu Books,” a series of challenges that reward iconic cars from the franchise’s history. For example, the “Porsche 911” menu tasks players with unlocking three generations of Porsche 911s: the 1981 911 Turbo, the 1992 911 Carrera RS, and the 1995 911 Carrera RS. These menus introduce game mechanics and typically involve achieving a top-three finish in specific races.

Gran Turismo 7 GT Cafe

A Vast Automotive Playground

Gran Turismo 7 boasts an impressive roster of over 420 cars, spanning from classic to contemporary models. From Japanese compacts and American muscle cars to European supercars, Super Formula racers, and the visually striking Vision Gran Turismo concept cars, the game offers a diverse selection.

The car-buying experience mimics real-world dealerships. Brand Central showcases various manufacturers with dedicated showrooms, websites, and promotional videos. Used Cars dealership offers a more affordable alternative, although with limited color options and pre-configured parts, and potential price hikes for rare and discontinued models.

Gran Turismo 7 Car Selection

As players expand their car collection, they progress through Collector Levels, unlocking higher-tier parts for tuning. Gran Turismo 7’s tuning system is remarkably detailed, offering a vast array of customizable components and intuitive performance graphs. From tires and engine control units to suspension and brake systems, players can fine-tune every aspect of their vehicles. Wide body kits, livery customization, paint jobs, racing accessories like spoilers and mudguards allow for extensive personalization. The paint options alone are staggering, with hundreds of choices, including manufacturer colors and custom mixes. Even routine maintenance, such as oil changes and car washes, is simulated to reflect real-world car ownership.

Gran Turismo 7 Tuning

Mastering the Art of Racing

Focusing on professional racing rather than open-world exploration, Gran Turismo 7 features over 60 tracks across 34 global locations. These include real-world circuits like Monza and Mount Panorama, alongside classic Gran Turismo tracks like Trial Mountain Circuit.

The game’s greatest strength lies in its unparalleled physics simulation. The demanding License Tests exemplify this, teaching essential racing techniques applicable both in-game and in real life. From braking techniques and understanding front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) vs. rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) dynamics to advanced maneuvers like slipstreaming, these tests hone player skills.

Gran Turismo 7 Pit Stop

The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, absent in Gran Turismo Sport, return with impressive realism, enhanced by the PS5’s hardware. Ray tracing technology delivers stunning reflections and material detail, adding a new level of visual fidelity. Tracks dry realistically after rain, while puddles persist in low-lying areas and grassy patches, affecting car handling.

The DualSense controller’s features further enhance immersion. Haptic feedback transmits subtle vibrations, conveying the texture of different road surfaces and gear changes. Adaptive triggers provide realistic resistance for the accelerator and brake pedals, intensifying the driving experience.

Gran Turismo 7 Racing

Accessibility and Customization

Gran Turismo 7 caters to players of all skill levels, from newcomers to seasoned racers. Assists like automatic gears, ABS, and traction control can be toggled on or off. Visual aids, such as braking point indicators and even an auto-drive feature, are available.

Gran Turismo 7 Racing in the Rain

A Car Lover’s Paradise

Scapes Movie mode allows players to showcase their prized vehicles against picturesque backdrops, set to a classical score. The robust photo mode lets players capture stunning images with granular control over camera settings like aperture, shutter speed, focus, and exposure. Players can even adjust the car’s finish, wing position, and render high-quality images comparable to professional 3D renders. A dedicated in-game social platform allows players to share their creations.

Gran Turismo 7 DualSense Features

Lingering Shortcomings

Despite its strengths, Gran Turismo 7 inherits a major drawback from Gran Turismo Sport: the always-online requirement for most game modes. Offline play limits players to a handful of default cars and a few basic modes like Music Rally, Single Race, and Trial Race, without progress saving.

Performance hiccups occasionally occur even in frame-rate priority mode, failing to maintain a stable 60fps on graphically demanding tracks. Ray tracing is limited to replays.

While the car selection is extensive, many entries are simply different model years of the same car. Several newer models from 2018 onwards are missing, including a limited Tesla selection. Although the car models are highly detailed, collision damage is relatively minor.

Gran Turismo 7 Photo Mode

Gran Turismo 7 Always Online