In the world of virtual motorsports, few games rival the immersive experience offered by Gran Turismo 7. Aspiring racers and seasoned enthusiasts alike find themselves drawn to its expansive world, unparalleled realism, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of sim racing. Gran Turismo 7 isn’t just a game to most of us; it’s become the go-to for Playstation gamers as the franchise has been around since 1997 when the first version was released. Since then, we have been treated to multiple versions with the most resented being Gran Turismo 7. Celebrating its 2 year anniversary, what better time than now to show why Gran Turismo is still the benchmark for learning to race in the virtual world. Let’s delve into why Gran Turismo 7 stands as the best starting point for anyone looking to embark on their journey into the thrilling realm of virtual racing.

First and foremost, Gran Turismo has and has had the best in-game physics for beginners and beyond. Gran Turismo 7 sets the gold standard for realism in sim racing. Despite being two years old, the game continues to impress with its stunning graphics, powered by beautiful ray tracing technology. From the subtle nuances of tire grip to the visceral thrill of high-speed cornering, every aspect of the driving experience feels authentic and true to life. While it is not a hardcore simulator like iRacing or Assetto Corsa, Gran Turismo still focuses on the real-world principals. From ABS, Brake Bias and traction control settings to weight transfer or car balance, Gran Turismo gives the the basic tools to understand the effects of all of the aforementioned concepts. With a solid platform, it’s not necessarily easy to master, but easy to understand. If you can understand, then you can improve. For me, the idea of improvement is the fundamental basis for motorsport. Shaving hundreths of a second off of lap times with tiny incremental changes from learning new concepts. If you want to learn and improve, Gran Turismo is the best platform specifically because it leans into the realm of almost real, without the towering overwhelmingness found on a full-on hardcore simulator. Once you start becoming good on a hardcore simulator, you should really be out on track. Those types of simulators are so realistic, I personally would rather be doing the real thing.

One of Gran Turismo 7’s most overlooked features is its commitment to constant evolution. Unlike traditional video games that are released and quickly forgotten, Gran Turismo 7 is a living, breathing entity that receives regular updates and enhancements. From new cars and tracks to gameplay improvements and features, the game remains fresh and exciting, ensuring that players always have something new to discover and enjoy. For example, back in October, the team behind the game released what they called Spec II. It was a massive update including 7 new cars, a new track with 3 layouts, extra challenges including a weekly updated one, new licenses, and many other minor game improvements. This level of update and most importantly FREE, is pretty much unheard of in today’s pay to play DLC system. Buying an ever evolving game is the best because there is always something new. Sometimes the updates are a bit mild, but nonetheless, there is always something new giving you a reason to pop in even when you have beaten the game long ago. 

Gran Turismo 7’s greatest strength lies in its accessibility to tuning. With a plethora of tuning options and customizable settings, players can tailor the driving experience to suit their skill level and preferences. Whether you’re a novice looking to understand the why’s of tuning or a seasoned pro squeezing out that extra tenth of a second, Gran Turismo 7 caters to every type of racer. I owe a large portion of my car tuning and modification knowledge to Gran Turismo, specifically Gran Turismo 2. Each part has a benefit and potential downside. The game does an exceptionally good job explaining what each part does and why. As the user, you get to decide how to modify your cars and tune them to your driving style, just like you would in real life. What more camber? You can add that. Like oversteer? Adjust your sway bars. As with most of the game, you get out of it what you put into it. Don’t care about tuning? Then just add your part and leave the default setting. You can dive in as deep as you want, but the game is playable and more importantly, enjoyable whether you do or don’t.

However, Gran Turismo 7’s online component is where the game truly shines. With a massive online community, players can test their skills against racers from around the globe. The game’s rating system ensures that every race is a thrilling challenge, matching players of similar skill levels for truly competitive racing. The addition of the sportsmanlike rating also ensures that you don’t get crashed into by trolls. I love this system, because you have to earn it. There is no one that jumps into a high rating. This removes most of the trolls as it’s a ton of work to get to the higher levels just to ruin a couple of races and be demoted. If you don’t think this is a problem, look up the new  Forza Motorsports online troubles. With a more professional platform for racing, Gran Turismo players are treated to more formal online events as well. The Manufacturers’ Cup, World Series and Race of Champions add an extra layer of excitement, allowing players to represent their favorite car brands in adrenaline-fueled showdowns world wide. If you are successful, you could be invited to race in-person with multiple live racing events being held around the globe. These events are for the best and draw so much attention that even real racing teams look for drivers. If you aren’t familiar with Jann Mardenborough’s story, go watch the Gran Turismo movie at a minimum. He was signed by Nissan and is still racing professionally today, all with the help from Gran Turismo online platform. Many drivers are competing in the online race series’ while driving professionally. One of my favorite streamer for GT7 is SuperGT. Below is one of his recent live streams of Round 3 of the Manufacturers Cup. It’s long so I would recommend all of it, but it’s worth a few minutes to learn about the format and maybe even get some driving tips from him!

In the ever-evolving landscape of sim racing, Gran Turismo 7 stands as a pinnacle of excellence and innovation. With its vast content, constant updates, and unwavering commitment to realism, it serves as the ultimate starting point for anyone looking to dive into the exhilarating world of virtual motorsports. Whether you’re a casual player seeking thrills or a hardcore enthusiast chasing perfection, Gran Turismo 7 offers an experience like no other, where every race is an adventure and every victory is earned. If you have never played, please do so. This game franchise has literally changed my life and the latest version is a constant progression of previous versions. Each one improving upon the last just like every lap. At the time of writing this, they haven’t officially announced the next one, but I’m already excited for it. In the meantime, I’ll be racing daily getting every last ounce of Gran Turismo I can.