There’s still nothing quite like Gran Turismo
At any given point in time, a Gran Turismo game may or may not have the best graphics, the most cars, or the most accurate physics of any console racing game. It’ll also never compete on the same terms as hardcore racing simulators on the PC. But the one thing Gran Turismo will always be is the most Gran Turismo game around.
The latest game in the series, Gran Turismo 7, is a full-blown celebration of that intangible, inimitable vibe. Polyphony Digital president Kazunori Yamauchi, who directs and produces the Gran Turismo games, is a man who knows what he likes: smooth jazz, precise typography, gorgeous travel photography, and informative explanations of the history of automotive sport. Gran Turismo 7 puts the focus back on this unmistakable aesthetic — and is all the better for it.
While this is the seventh numbered Gran Turismo game and the eighth mainline entry in the series, it feels like the first one in a long time that hones in on the early games’ fundamental appeal. Gran Turismo Sport for the PlayStation 4 was a good game, but it focused on competitive online racing more than the single-player experience. The PS3 entries Gran Turismo 5 and 6 variously suffered from technical issues, convoluted menus, and the inclusion of many lower-quality car models that had been lifted directly from the PS2 games.
Gran Turismo 7 immediately rectifies these problems. Following a lengthy and gloriously self-indulgent opening sequence, you’re placed at the world map and told to visit a cafe. There, you’re told, you’ll receive “menu books” that instruct you to collect a certain assortment of cars like stamps to get a free coffee. These open tasks are then highlighted on the world map; place high in the races and you can move onto a
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