Often considered one of the best lines of racing games of all time, Gran Turismo has cemented itself as the go-to racing sim for gamers who are into motorsports. Having originally launched on the PlayStation in 1997, Gran Turismo set a new standard for 3D driving games. It not only featured incredibly realistic driving physics – compared to other titles at the time – but it also set the bar for visuals in such a game.
Over two decades later, we are only a few short months away from the next entry in the series. Gran Turismo will also be the first mainline series entry in almost ten years, and an entire console generation. The only Gran Turismo game to launch on the PS4 was Sport, a stripped back version of the series that primarily focused on eSports. It was mostly criticised at launch for its lack of content, but developers Polyphony Digital increased its offering with post-launch content.
Fast forward to the current generation, and we’re now not far away from the next entry in the series. Revealed during 2020, Gran Turismo 7 was initially scheduled to release last year, but was delayed due to COVID-19. We’ve seen a handful of trailers since the game’s initial announcement, all showing off what the next generation of motorsport simulators will look like.
So, when will Gran turismo 7 release?
In a world where COVID-19 doesn’t exist, chances are we would already have Gran Turismo 7. While it was never given a specific 2021 date, you can bet Sony would have likely aimed to get it out in time for a holiday period release at the very least. Fortunately, we don’t have too long to wait, as Gran Turismo 7 will release globally on March 4th.
Similar to many of Sony’s other flagship next-gen titles, Gran Turismo will launch on PS4 and PS5. This is likely due to the PS5 still being exceedingly difficult to purchase. By launching Gran Turismo 7 on both consoles, the company can maximise sales for the game. The PS5 edition will include 4k gameplay at 60 frames per second. It will also have real-time ray tracing effects, 3D spatial audio and reduced loading times. Sony has not yet shown off the game running on PS5, but chances are, it’ll still look fantastic regardless.
There are a few different editions of the game available. On the physical side we have the base game, which will probably just contain the game, and maybe a pre-order bonus depending on where you order. There is also the Anniversary Edition for PS5 which features a disk and a code for PS4. This edition also comes in a steelbook case. It features a soundtrack, up to 1,000,000 CR of in-game credit and an in-game car. There are three digital editions, including the base game and a PS4 and PS5 edition of the base game that costs £10 more. There also the digital deluxe edition which features access to both editions of the game, a Toyota GR Yaris, PSn avatars, 1,500,00 CR and the official soundtrack.
What’s new?
Unlike other game’s, Gran Turismo has been a slow evolution of the original vision. Each new iteration carefully builds on the previous game, while preserving the core focus of great driving. One of the most exciting additions to Gran Turismo 7 is undoubtedly dynamic weather and time. Races will change on the fly, as time and weather drastically changes the outcome of any given event. If you’ve ever watched Formula 1, you’ll know just how much a sudden downpour can change things.
A number of fan-favourite modes and features will also return in Gran turismo 7. The much lauded campaign mode will make an appearance, including the classic license tests. There will also be a used car dealership, where players can get discounts on second-hand cars with slightly more wear and tear.
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[Featured Image Credit: Polyphony Digital]