Gran Turismo 7 Review: A Polished but Antiquated Racer
Gran Turismo 7, the latest installment in the long-running simulation racing series, lands on PS4 and PS5 this Friday. While it boasts impressive visuals, detailed car physics, and a wealth of content, it falls short of truly captivating modern players. Despite the meticulous development by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo 7 feels somewhat outdated, lacking the modern flair that other racing titles have embraced.
One of the most surprising shortcomings is the underwhelming soundtrack. While the game aims for realism, it fails to grasp the crucial role music plays in racing games. Unlike Forza Horizon 5, which seamlessly integrates music into its vibrant open world, Gran Turismo 7 offers a collection of uninspired tracks with no voiceover commentary. The lack of personality and vibrancy in the soundtrack makes the experience feel sterile and unengaging. The game’s "Music Rally" mode, which attempts to synchronize driving with the beat of music, also falls flat, lacking the excitement and energy that this concept promises.
Gran Turismo 7: Gameplay and Campaign
On the track, Gran Turismo 7 delivers a satisfyingly demanding experience. It compels players to master the fundamentals of racing – racing lines, precise braking, optimal tire choices, and efficient turns – for success. The game’s dynamic weather system can dramatically alter the race, adding a layer of unpredictability. One moment you might be cruising towards victory, and the next, a sudden downpour could turn the race upside down.
However, Gran Turismo 7 struggles to strike a perfect balance between pure simulation and semi-arcade. The inclusion of a costly nitro system feels out of place in a title that emphasizes realism. Additionally, the brake system can behave in an overly dramatic manner, causing the car to swerve wildly and unpredictably. This inconsistency can lead to frustrating situations where a single miscalculation can dramatically alter the outcome of a race.
Gran Turismo 7 Rewards and Currency
Gran Turismo 7 introduces a "Roulette" system for earning rewards, similar to Forza Horizon’s "Wheelspin". Players get tickets in different tiers, with higher tiers offering better rewards. However, unlike Forza Horizon, the Roulette system in Gran Turismo 7 tends to offer meager rewards, often awarding only a few thousand credits. These credits are used to buy cars and upgrades, and while they can be earned through racing, Gran Turismo 7 also allows players to purchase extra credits through the PlayStation Store. This feature feels predatory and raises concerns about "pay-to-win" mechanics in a game that costs a significant amount.
As the single-player campaign progresses, races become increasingly lengthy, pushing players towards endurance. While the game boasts 97 track layouts across 34 locations, the lack of variety in race types, cars, and tracks can lead to monotony. Furthermore, the AI opponents, even at their most challenging difficulty, rarely pose a significant threat. This is exacerbated by the game’s implementation of rolling starts, which can give the AI a substantial head start, sometimes as much as 26 seconds. This lack of challenge, combined with the absence of increased rewards for beating tougher opponents, leaves the impression that Gran Turismo 7 is more geared towards online play. While the game has shifted away from an esports-focused mentality, it still pushes competitive players towards its multiplayer modes.
Gran Turismo 7: Multiplayer and Game Modes
Gran Turismo 7 offers three ways to engage in online racing:
- Local 2-player split-screen: While technically available, the experience is severely limited by a letterboxed presentation with prominent black bars.
- Online Multiplayer: This option provides players with greater control over tracks, regulations, and the ability to invite friends or open races to the public.
- Sport Mode: This mode offers curated online races scheduled by the developers, but requires players to be online at specific times. It features casual racing, but emphasizes fair play, with penalties for aggressive behavior like pushing or colliding.
The game offers several resources to prepare players for online racing. The "Licence Centre", which resembles an advanced tutorial, guides players through a series of lessons, teaching them braking techniques, race etiquette, and other essential skills. The "Circuit Experience" allows players to practice on tracks and record their times, while "Demonstrations" offer insights into optimal race lines and strategies.
Gran Turismo 7 Cars
Gran Turismo 7 boasts a collection of over 400 cars. The "Brand Central" serves as a hub for browsing and acquiring vehicles, offering exclusive offers and limited-time invites for purchasing luxurious cars. The game also features an in-game mall where car manufacturers can showcase their products, complete with embedded YouTube videos. The heavy emphasis on product placement feels intrusive and undermines the immersion of the racing experience.
Gran Turismo 7: Always Online, Scapes, and Graphics
With the exception of Arcade mode, all of Gran Turismo 7’s game modes require a persistent internet connection. This "always online" requirement can be frustrating, as players risk being booted out of races if their connection drops. Polyphony Digital justifies this decision by claiming it is necessary to prevent hacking and cheating, but the implementation feels overly restrictive and inconvenient.
When players aren’t racing, they can explore the game’s expansive photography mode, called "Scapes". This unique feature allows players to place their cars in stunning real-world locations around the globe. Scapes offers extensive customization options for positioning, lensing, framing, camera settings, and more, making it a delight for virtual photographers.
On the PlayStation 5, Gran Turismo 7 offers a choice between two graphic modes: Prioritise Frame Rate and Prioritise Ray Tracing. The Frame Rate mode targets 60fps, while the Ray Tracing mode takes advantage of the PS5’s advanced lighting capabilities. It’s worth noting that raytracing is only available outside of races. While Gran Turismo 7’s visuals are impressive, they don’t quite reach the level of stunning detail and polish seen in Forza Horizon 5.
The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are utilized effectively in Gran Turismo 7, particularly when driving off-track or braking. However, considering Sony’s track record with the DualSense’s durability, using these features can be a gamble.
Gran Turismo 7 Review Verdict
Gran Turismo 7 is undeniably a meticulously crafted and detailed racing game. The number of polygons used to create cars has grown from 300 in the first game to a staggering half a million in Gran Turismo 7, highlighting the advancements in gaming hardware. For hardcore simulation racing enthusiasts who enjoy spending hours tweaking and perfecting their driving, Gran Turismo 7 will undoubtedly appeal.
However, Gran Turismo 7 falls short of capturing the hearts of racing game enthusiasts who seek a more encompassing and engaging experience. It prioritizes realism and detail over overall entertainment value, leading to a polished but ultimately uninspired product. While the game offers a solid racing experience, it lacks the personality, innovation, and overall polish that truly elevate a racing game to greatness.
Pros:
- Comprehensive sim racing experience
- Extensive tuning options
- Engaging driving physics
- Breathtaking photo mode with Scapes
- Dynamic weather can add compelling challenges
Cons:
- Always online requirement
- Uninspired soundtrack
- Lack of engaging content variety
- AI opponents lack challenge
- Arcade-like brakes inconsistencies
- Overly restrictive "Roulette" rewards system
- Pay-to-win elements
- Music Rally mode is disappointing
- Local multiplayer is hampered by letterboxing
Rating (out of 10): 7
Gran Turismo 7 releases on Friday, March 4, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The game is priced at Rs. 3,999 for the PS4 and Rs. 4,999 for the PS5.
