Gran Turismo 7: A Return to Form, But With a Few Pit Stops
Gran Turismo 7 arrived with a weight of expectation on its shoulders. After the somewhat divisive Gran Turismo Sport, fans craved a return to the series’ roots, a deep and engaging experience that blended realistic driving with a passion for car culture. While GT7 largely delivers on this promise, it’s not without its bumps in the road.
From the moment you fire it up, GT7 exudes a sense of reverence for the automobile. The presentation is slick, the menus are stylish, and the iconic “Moon Over the Castle” theme is back, instantly transporting you to the heart of the Gran Turismo experience. The game boasts a massive roster of over 400 cars, meticulously modeled both inside and out. From everyday hatchbacks to legendary hypercars, each vehicle feels distinct and offers a unique driving experience.
The core gameplay loop is classic Gran Turismo. You start with a small amount of credits and work your way up the ranks, earning new cars and upgrading existing ones. The World Map is back, acting as your central hub, offering a variety of activities, including license tests, missions, and championships. Completing these challenges rewards you with credits, cars, and performance upgrades. The return of the used car dealership and the ability to tune your vehicles to your liking adds another layer of depth to the experience.
On the track, GT7 feels fantastic. The handling model is a noticeable improvement over GT Sport, offering a more nuanced and engaging driving experience. Cars feel weighty and responsive, and the game does a great job of conveying the nuances of different surfaces and weather conditions. The DualSense controller on the PlayStation 5 further enhances the immersion, providing tactile feedback that makes you feel more connected to the road.
Visually, GT7 is a stunning game. The environments are beautifully rendered, and the cars look absolutely incredible. The lighting is particularly impressive, creating a sense of realism that is truly breathtaking. The game runs smoothly at 60fps on the PS5, and the level of detail is consistently impressive.
However, GT7 isn’t without its flaws. The always-online requirement has been a point of contention for many players. While it’s understandable that Polyphony Digital wants to prevent cheating and ensure a consistent experience, it can be frustrating to be unable to play the game if your internet connection goes down. Furthermore, the game’s economy has been criticized for being too grindy, particularly when it comes to acquiring some of the more expensive cars. The recent adjustments to race rewards have attempted to address this, but the balance still feels somewhat off.
Another minor gripe is the sometimes-unintuitive menu system. While visually appealing, navigating through the various options can occasionally feel cumbersome.
Despite these issues, Gran Turismo 7 is a significant step forward for the series. It’s a visually stunning game with a deep and engaging driving experience. While the always-online requirement and the somewhat grindy economy are legitimate concerns, they don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. If you’re a fan of racing games, Gran Turismo 7 is definitely worth checking out. It’s a love letter to car culture, and a welcome return to form for the series. Hopefully, Polyphony Digital will continue to refine and improve the game in the months and years to come, addressing the remaining issues and solidifying GT7’s place as a premier racing title.