The beauty seems to be more than skin-deep, though, as the gameplay shown straddles the line between the series’ reputation for precision, and fast-paced, tense, wheel-to-wheel duels. Gran Turismo 7 is an opportunity to right the wrongs of some other installments in the franchise, which had a tendency to feel sluggish compared to its Forza, and Need for Speed competition. By taking advantage of the PS5’s monstrous power, Gran Turismo 7 has the capability to cater to fans of the racing genre as a whole, effectively bridging the gap between players who gorge on the Need For Speed series or hone their skills in Assetto Corsa.
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The Legacy Leading to Gran Turismo 7
Since the first Gran Turismo released in the west on the original PlayStation in the spring of 1998, players were spoiled by the selection available, and racing them around some of the world’s most iconic circuits was an exciting thought that Gran Turismo made a reality. The seventh mainline entry is no different, as Gran Turismo 7 is undoubtedly a love letter to car culture, as well as the thrill of racing them in a virtual setting.
That isn’t to say that titles like Forza Motorsport and the DiRT series aren’t, however. There are numerous games in the racing genre that are appealing to players with an interest in motorsport, but the pedigree of Gran Turismo, coupled with the fact that the upcoming release has over 400 types of cars available on release, means it’s in prime position to be something that appeals to players of all racing game persuasions.
Bridging The Gap
Titles like Assetto Corsa and the much-loved F1 series by developer Codemasters require more than just a DualSense or Xbox wireless controller to reach the truly blistering lap times. Often, a more elaborate set-up is required, with a racing wheel, pedals, and rig being the recipe for success in games that prioritize the simulation side of the racing genre. Gran Turismo 7 has the former covered, with Fanatec partnering with the brand to release the GT DD Pro Wheel, specifically made with the game in mind.
This is unlikely to entice existing sim racing gamers away from their hefty set-up, but it’s a huge step on the journey to shrinking the disparity between casual audiences, and hardcore racers. Gran Turismo 7’s implementation of accurate weather mechanics and intricate vehicle customization will appeal to everyone and taking advantage of the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers allows for more passive players to experience a small, but significant, amount of immersion. Tiny details to players who like to relax with their racing games, and critical components of the experience to white-knuckled, high octane racers.
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Appealing to Everyone, Casual or Hardcore
There’s every chance that series loyalty means few will flock to Gran Turismo 7 over Forza Horizon 5, which also executes the racing formula wonderfully, albeit in a more flashy, vibrant way. However, with Gran Turismo 7 also releasing on PS4, the game won’t be isolating anyone who still can’t get their hands on a PlayStation 5, which grants the opportunity to bring more players into the Gran Turismo fold.
While the competition between franchises is as present as it has always been, Forza Horizon and Gran Turismo have always satisfied different ends of the middle-ground market. While Forza Horizon focuses on open-world, grand touring, Gran Turismo has always ruled the track, but both are far from the extremes of arcade-inspired Need For Speed, or the simulation-heavy Assetto Corsa and F1 games. Unlike many of its counterparts, Gran Turismo 7 has the opportunity to bring the precision of track racing to casual audiences, ensuring the often unwelcoming genre is suitable for all abilities.
Gran Turismo 7 launches March 4, 2022 on PS4 and PS5.
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