Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7, joining the old and the new

While initially planned as a PS5 exclusive, in the end Gran Turismo 7 has been released for the PlayStation 4 too. That was a smart move by the producer, this way the game gained a huge base of potential buyers, also considering the difficulty of acquiring a PS5 at the time of release. Despite its roots as a new-gen title, GT7 looks wonderful and plays like a dream even on Sony’s older hardware, a testament to the skill of Polyphony Digital.

How good does GT7 look?

In a word, GT7 looks glorious, especially when running on PS5 hardware capable of rendering all the neat lighting and particle effects the game can provide. The car models are wonderfully detailed, the alternating day/night cycle provides some truly spectacular views and the weather effects like the rain not only realistically alter the car’s grip to the asphalt but take into account even the smallest details, like puddles lasting longer under bridges. In addition to that, the attention given to sound made GT7 a joy for the ears, deserving to be heard through a good Home Theater system or high-end headphones. Every little sound from the car or the road is finely nuanced, the spattering of rain on the windshield is exactly how it should be. And the haptic feedback of the PS5 controller adds yet another layer of realism to the controls, giving players realistic feedback for every situation on screen. Playing Gran Turismo 7 with a controller works really fine, too, but we believe the the only real way to truly enjoy such a game is with a good wheel and pedal system.

But, in the end, looks and sound can only go so far when playing a game. The real point in discussion is how it plays, and we are happy to say that GT7’s driving is probably the best we’ve ever tried. The cars present in the game have each their own personality and handle exactly as expected, from the wobble and skidding of the low-tier, commercial vehicles to the top supercars that run like they were glued to the tarmac. The selection is not huge (competing titles have a larger roster), but with over 400 cars at the player’s disposal no one will get bored anytime soon.

Is Gran Turismo 7 a game designed for car lovers?

Is it? Is it? Anyone who knows anything about Gran Turismo 25 year old history already knows the answer to that. Since its beginnings on the original PlayStation in 1997, Gran Turismo has always been a love letter to motorheads. The wonderfully detailed cars, the fine tunings possible in the garage, the many bits of car history information that can be found throughout the game… they all speak a familiar language to all fans of pistons and motor oil. GT7 doesn’t disappoint in this regard, all car lovers will feel right at home in the GT Cafe (the game’s lobby) meeting other fans and comparing car details before starting a race.

What about the GT credits and microtransactions?

GT Credits are given to players for winning races or completing tasks in the GT Cafe. They can be used to upgrade and maintain the cars in the player’s garage, or to buy new cars. It is also possible to buy GT credits on the PlayStation Store, in packs ranging from 100.000 (€ 2,49) to 2.000.000 (€ 19,99). Although it’s possible to completely enjoy the game without spending an extra cent, the high cost of some cars and upgrade parts can easily bring players to buy extra credits in order to quickly get what they want.

While not possible at launch, in November 2022 an update made possible to sell used cars in the game’s shop. This is a good way for players to get rid of old cars they don’t use anymore and gain some welcome extra credits at the same time. The game will present a valuation screen showing how much the car costed in the beginning and how much its value has gone down (or, in some cases, up), giving players all the tools needed to decide whether to sell a car or hold onto it. We don’t sell GT Credits directly at Gamecardsdirect, but you can easily buy a PlayStation giftcard and use it to buy the credits in the PS Store. It’s quick and easy, and very safe in Gamecardsdirect’s environment.

Should I play Gran Turismo 7 or Forza Motorsport?

Aah, the eternal question, which is better? The answer in this case is pretty simple: if you have a PlayStation, GT7 is the game for you. If you play on Xbox, go for Forza Motorsport. They are both exclusives to the respective consoles, after all. But if you are one of the lucky players who has both systems, Forza Motorsport is a newer game with a larger roster of available cars, so that’s the one we would choose. Incidentally, you can buy Forza Motorsport (or its DLCs) directly here at Gamecardsdirect!