The latest edition will be the most conclusive one to date.
One of the most anticipated games to be launched on the PlayStation 5 is undoubtedly Gran Turismo 7. That’s right. We’re finally getting our chance to drift the Toyota GR86 all over Trail Mountain. During Sony’s State of Play showcase, the team at Polyphony Digital dove into what we can expect from the all-new driving simulation experience. Some of the features have been carried over from existing games in the series, with a slap of fresh paint, while others are entirely new to the franchise.
As opposed to GT Sport’s focus on online competition, GT7 has been developed to appeal to a broader spectrum of car fans. The publisher promises that regardless of whether you are new to the franchise or a veteran player, you will feel right at home. This iteration of the series runs with the ethos of celebrating the modern era of car culture which includes racing, photography, livery design, tuning, and collecting cars.
The Gran Turismo Resort
GT7 sees a return to the World Map layout that we’ve become used to since the days of the first game. This time around, it employs a resort-style setting where players will be able to access all sorts of options to enjoy their digital car ownership experience. The game’s creator, Kazunori Yamauchi explains that the motivation behind this design was to create a paradise that celebrates car culture.
Located in this resort is a Cafe filled with Menu Books. These are in-game quests that will direct players through various locations of the resort. This feature will be the center of the game’s car collection experience as it offers a detailed curated description of each model. The game goes as far as to feature some of the key designers with in-depth information that was instrumental to the development of certain cars.
Three Dealerships Selling 420 Cars
In Gran Turismo, the process of purchasing a car has always been a crucial element. GT7 has a plan to build on this with a conclusive catalog of 420 cars that are spread throughout three dealerships. The Brand Central location is your catalog of all cars produced after 2001 and acts as an interactive museum where you can learn about the history of various manufacturers.
The iconic used car dealership feature returns once again but not as we would have remembered from previous games. Keeping in line with the times, some Japanese heroes such as the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R will feature a listed price that is higher than what it would have been when the car was new. In this example, we are shown a rare V-spec II Nur selling for 189,500 credits which would have only cost 61,000 credits in Gran Turismo 4.
34 Racing Circuits With 97 Different Layouts
What is a racing game without a conclusive race track catalog? In GT7, players will have access to a combination of 34 real and made-for-the-game courses with 97 varying layouts to ensure players don’t get bored too quickly. Fans will be glad to learn that icons such as Trial Mountain, Deep Forest, and High Speed Ring will be making a return. More locations are expected to be added in later updates.
In total, 10 American, 15 European, and nine Asia-Oceanic environments will be featured. Players won’t be restricted to just racing competitions. The new edition will also feature models such as a ‘circuit experience’ which will subject you to learning specific sectors of each track to hone their racing skills, similar to what was seen on GT Sport.
License Center
What good is a Gran Turismo game if it doesn't force you to earn your racing privileges through a series of trials? A conclusive license testing program will return to the series with a collection of tasks that veterans to the franchise will be well-familiar with. Obtaining the entry B license will be an easy task but beyond that point, you can expect a true driving challenge.
As per the last games, these tests can be completed with a series of three gradesbronze, silver, and gold. The driving missions, as debuted on GT4 will be included in the seventh game to add to the level of challenge. Like before, players will be given a specific challenge that covers various disciplines to see just how effective they are behind a virtual wheel.
The Tuner Scene
Since its inception, Gran Turismo has always given its users the ability to fine-tune their cars to their specific preferences. Polyphony Digital wants to take this to the next level in GT7 by turning up the tuning dial to be a lot more intuitive. Accessible via the Cafe menu, the new tuning section will give you access to parts that affect almost every aspect of the car.
Unlike previous games, not all of these parts will be available right off the bat. This time around, players will need to earn their stripes and reach a required level before more competitive components can be purchased. At level four, the top-tier 'Club Sports' catalog will become available for full track-car conversions.
Design And Photography
With GT7 players will be able to express the extent of their creativity with an expansive livery editor and photography user interface. The livery editor will allow you to recreate some of the world’s most memorable racecar designs or simply put together your own unique set of sponsors. Adding to the spectrum of creativity is an increase in the layer cap and usable surface area of the car.
The ‘scapes’ and race photo features will let players capture their favorite cars in some of the most iconic locations such as the Kyoto forest, lower Manhattan, Miami Beach, and more. In total, you’ll have access to over 2,500 different sceneries with a virtual camera boasting near-pro levels of adjustable settings. The in-race camera is a bit more straightforward as it provides the opportunity to take dynamic shots or simply capture your most thrilling racing moments.
Setting New Social Standards
Given the rapid advancement of connectivity, GT7 will be expanding on its multiplayer experience which was cultivated in GT Sport. Thankfully, a two-player split-screen will still be available for those who want an in-person racing challenge but for a more expansive experience, the casual lobbies and competitive sport interface will be available.
An all-new “Meeting Places” mode will be featured this time around which will allow players to attend virtual car meets to socialize and show off their unique rides. The Showcase feature complements this by creating a platform where players may share their replays, photos, liveries, and more. If you like what you see, the game will give you the option to download whatever content you come across.
GT Auto and Music Rally
GT Auto will be an evolution of the maintenance simulations that are found in previous games. Using this interface, players will be able to keep their car in check with services such as the car wash, oil change, an engine rebuild, body rigidity restoration, and a wide body modification. You’ll also be able to monitor the overall condition of your car in this mode.
The Music Rally enters GT7 as an all-new interactive challenge that subjects players to driving their favorite cars to the tune of specific songs. The checkpoint-based mode will have players keeping up with the beat and the rhythm of the track and concludes once the song comes to an end.
A More Realistic Racing Experience
Using the technology of ray tracing, Polyphony Digital was able to enhance the feeling of realism in GT7. With this advanced virtual light feature, the simulation weather is now based on meteorological data that is related to each specific track. Everything from the clouds to the atmospheric pressure is translated to the digital circuit. Adding to the visual appeal is a new starry sky design which is now simulated based on the time and location of every track.
The variable time and weather also affect your racing. As temperatures change over the course, you can expect your car’s tire grip to react differently throughout the race. Sudden rainfall is sure to throw a spanner in the works if you’re racing around on slicks. Once the rain comes to an end, the surface will dry depending on which racing line is being used the most frequently as the heat of the cars will evaporate and dissipate the moisture.
Simulations Advanced
Gran Turismo has described itself to be the real driving simulator since it was first launched 25 years ago. With GT7, it hopes to build on this by turning up the realism thanks to data and feedback that it has sourced from its technical partners, Michelin, BBS, and Brembo, and official advisor, Sir Lewis Hamilton. Some of the finest FIA racers have also been brought on board to ensure an authentic racing experience.
An all-new generation of simulation physics is supported by an updated aerodynamics model and a revolutionary computational fluid dynamic which adds realism to the changes in downforce affected by changes to the front and rear height. Wind direction and turbulence will also now affect the composure of your car.
Get Ready For GT7
Gran Turismo 7 will finally hit stores, both physically and digitally, on March 4, 2022, for both the PlayStation 4 and 5. The PS4 edition will sell for $59.99, and the PS5 for $10 more.
Celebrating its lengthy heritage will be a 25th Anniversary Edition at $89.99 which comes with a physical copy for the PS5 and digital for the PS4. Included in this is an exclusive steel bookcase, one million in-game credits, a Toyota GR Yaris covered in an FIA Gran Turismo Championships World Series livery specific to your country, a copy of the in-game soundtrack, and 30 manufacturers and partner PSN Avatars.
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