With so many racing games today, it’s tough to stand out from the crowd, but Gran Turismo has won fans over since the first entry in the series was released in 1997. This year, it got an overhaul and made its debut as Gran Turismo 7, and everyone is wondering if this is the game that will finally bring the franchise back to prominence.

This simulation racing video game was developed and published by Polyphony Digital and Sony Interactive Entertainment. GT 7 was released on March 4, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, making it the first multi-console instalment in the series. 

Why the Gran Turismo series?

Gran Turismo has been one of my favourite series since I was a kid, and it’s still going strong in GT7. Being able to drive at some of the most famous real-world locations and race against other players all over makes for an incredible racing experience. The graphics are stunning, and you get lost in Polyphony Digital’s realism. The only downside to Gran Turismo is that there are so many different cars, tracks, events, etc., that it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.

Satisfying Changes to Keep You Going

GT7 has introduced many changes to gameplay and behind-the-scenes mechanics, but all these updates have led to one thing: GT7 is one of the best racing games yet. With an expansive, beautifully rendered world, loads of cars and tracks to choose from, not to mention solid gameplay and accessibility for newcomers alike, I believe that Gran Turismo 7 should be at or near the top of any gamer’s list. So what are you waiting for? The open road awaits.

Remarkable Graphics & Sounds

The graphics on GT7 are, by far, what pushes it to be one of the best racing games. Every detail has been worked out, from how each car’s engine and exhaust sound to how each car reacts under acceleration and cornering. This level of detail will make you feel like you are a part of each race as if you are sitting behind your steering wheel. There is no lag or delay between when you turn your steering wheel and when your car turns; everything works together perfectly for a fantastic racing experience.

Checking Out the Controls and Physics

Gran Turismo’s driving physics is unparalleled. The car moves as it should in a real-world setting. There’s none of that hyper-fast, bouncy stuff we see in other games that make us feel as if we’re glued to a pogo stick with wheels. It takes time and skill to get used to GT’s realistic handling, but once you do, you can easily pick up any car and drive it around tracks without feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing. I enjoy playing in simulation mode because I love having precise control over my vehicle; however, there is an arcade mode for those who want something more forgiving.

Gran Turismo 7 features over 1000 cars, including the new 2018 Audi R8 V10 Spyder Performante, Porsche 918 Spyder, and Mercedes-Benz Project One concept car. Gran Turismo 7 also includes more than 70 race tracks worldwide. There are new tracks such as Chapultepec Raceway and Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, along with classic favourites like Nürburgring in Germany and Willow Springs International Raceway in California.

Checking Out The Gran Turismo Cafe

The heart of Gran Turismo 7 lies in its new “Gran Turismo Cafe,” a warm and inviting online cafe for car enthusiasts located in the forest. There you will meet Luca, the owner of the restaurant, as well as other knowledgeable car enthusiasts and designers who can tell you many exciting things about the cars you own. The car collection usually focuses on a type or model of car, such as French hatchbacks or popular Nissans.

Once you get the Menu Book, the actual game menu will have a little compass that guides you to songs or features that will help you achieve your goals. However, as I completed the game’s first missions and continued, I began to enjoy the sense of purpose and direction the books provided. Moreover, I finally started feeling that familiar ownership and pride in the cars in my garage, just like years ago when I started playing Gran Turismo.

They Could Do More With the Track Selection

I would have loved to see a much better selection of tracks in Gran Turismo 7. Many of them feel bored and are very similar to each other, in my opinion. It’s nice that there are lots of different layouts for existing tracks, but I can only enjoy so many configurations of Silverstone before I get bored. There just doesn’t seem to be enough new content here for me to want to play more. Gran Turismo 7’s car selection may seem small, but a wide variety of cars make up for its lack of quantity. The game’s developers spent a lot of time researching car models to ensure that every one of them behaves as they would in real life. This is great if you love cars, but not everyone does—so where GT7 shines is in its race tracks.

The new “GT Auto” shop is where most players spend their time in the game. You can also purchase the wheels in different sizes and widths and choose a wide stance. This development pairs well with the new “wide body” tuning option that seems to be available on many models – even cars like the classic VW Beetle! The most common customizable parts seem to be front skirts, side skirts, and spoilers, some of which are available in different sizes and designs. However, if you want stickers on your car, the editor interface lets you put together almost any design you can imagine.

Another positive is that players can import their classic models from GT Sport, which means that Gran Turismo 7 will immediately launch with many high-quality user-made versions. These features are made possible by the game’s online community and sharing features similar to those of GT Sport. Customizing, modifying, designing, and sharing your cars is an exciting and fun pursuit; it seems like it could be a different game.

Livery Editor in GT7

The Livery Editor has seen some significant changes with GT7. In previous iterations of Gran Turismo, you had to install a plugin to use custom vinyl and logos in-game, which was a huge hassle for many new users. With GT7, however, Polyphony Digital has made it incredibly easy to create your livery designs and import them into-game.

Conclusion

This game has been out for over a year but is still my favourite. I love the graphics, the cars and tracks you can race on, and how many modes there are to select. If you want to be immersed in realism, look no further than Gran Turismo 7! You can feel like you’re driving the actual car with stunning graphics and realistic physics! While the previous iteration of this game was very enjoyable, this one blows it out of the water with its new updates.