I Can't Drive, But Here Are 15 Reasons Why "Gran Turismo 7" Has Me Hooked Right Now

    I'm driving my friends around the bend talking about it!

    Luca Iacobucci
    by Luca Iacobucci

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hi, I'm Luca and being a gamer, February has destroyed my wallet! I know that many of us have been waiting for Gran Turismo 7.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    This game is so good that even people who are scared of driving (me), can't get enough! Here are 15 things I'm loving about Gran Turismo 7:

    1. There are so many cars, tracks, races, and it's only the beginning.

    The world map of the racing game "Gran Turismo 7" showing an island at sunset with all the icons representing different activities to do in the game
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Over 400 cars and 32 tracks, with over 90 variations on them, this game is impressive. But it's what you can do with all that content that's awesome; a full career mode, different types of racing, photography, and much more! 

    It's not just for car enthusiasts, it's fun even if you have a small interest in cars.

    2. Okay, I need to geek out about how insane the weather system is here. The race track in California will have different cloud formations than it would in England.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    The in-game night skies use NASA data, so the sun and moon will be in their proper place, and even the stars and planets. The stars can even change colour based on atmospheric conditions. It's so distractingly pretty I kept crashing – oops. All this impacts the way you race, with things like clouds blocking the sun making the race track colder – it's absurd! 

    3. This is the most satisfying racing game I've ever played, and we can thank the PS5 controller for that.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    The new controller gets to flex its haptic feedback, where the controller vibrations are so precise. You can even feel it when your left front tyre goes over the side of the road. The resistant triggers also mimic gas and brake peddles, and you can do motion steering. You've basically got the experience you'd get with an actual driving wheel.

    4. There's the cosy GT-cafe, where you chat to people and complete menu books that get you up to speed in the world of car culture!

    A leather menu book in "Gran Turismo 7" from the GT Cafe detailing the task to win on a French race course in the top three positions
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    So the racing is good, but what's the motivation? Gran Turismo always had a rags-to-riches vibe, where you start with little compact cars and work your way up to being a racing legend. 

    The new GT-Cafe adds menu books where the owner, Luca (amazing name), will give you chic leather books which have goals for you to work towards. Whether it's getting a set of European hatchback cars, or just tuning your car, it's an amazing place to start! 

    5. Ray-tracing – It's a way to realistically trace each ray of light from a light source and it makes lighting, shadows, and reflections look so real.

    A photo realistic shot of a Chevrolet at dusk in an Australian road in "Gran Turismo 7"
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    In replay and photo modes, this new lighting brings cars to look as closest to real-life as I've ever seen. 

    6. Which makes photography here the best I've ever seen in a game!

    The same pictures of the chevrolet but in the photo editing suite showcasing all the photography tools in "Gran Turismo 7"
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Gran Turismo 7 is a game where I've spent more time snapping pics than actually racing. You'll even use the same tools as professional photographers. But here, I don't have to worry about getting to a location, buying the car, or uh, the ability to stop time and set up the perfect money shot. 

    It's been a legit way to learn photography. More than I did at college!

    7. Gran Turismo has always had this eccentric identity, and that doesn't change here with its cast of characters and VERY detailed historical timelines.

    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Think of the characters as sort of Animal Crossing villagers. They give you information about how the game works, but sometimes they talk to each other, and some just pop up to say "Hey, nice car!" before telling you how much they love it.

    In the brand-central, you'll see the history of all these car manufacturers. But, there's a second timeline of world events, like the titanic sinking or... the Panama Papers being leaked.

    It makes the world of cars feel relevant to our lives, and feel like a real culture full of quirky and passionate people!

    8. Grab any set of headphones, and plug (or connect!) them to your PS5 controller. You'll feel one step away from playing in VR thanks to the 3D audio!

    NBC

    The 3D sound tech of the PS5 has been super impressive, but here it's on another level. It gives you full spatial awareness and sounds come from the true-to-life directions and distances like they would if you were sat in the driver's seat! 

    9. Music rally lets you race to electro classic beats and many other tracks!

    The cockpit view of a race car wheel as the driver races to the beats in a country set race track at noon
    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Racing games and music – name a better combo. But, how many of us turn the music off during a race? We need to concentrate! Well, in comes Music Rally, a mode designed for you to race to the beat! You can take this super chill, or if you're like me, aim for the best times!


    10. The insane level of car tuning and customisation that's finally understandable and, surprisingly addictive.

    A "Gran Turismo 7" character Rupert explaining what a high lift camshaft is in the tune menu saying "An engine's camshaft controls intake and exhaust valves A high lift cam shaft keeps the valves open longer."
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    I'm fully prepared to admit that I don't know what goes on under the hood of cars. I never try tuning parts of a car out of fear it will break, and I'm just talking about games here. 

    Gran Turismo 7 is the first time I've had these things properly explained to me! "Rupert" is super helpful in explaining the sheer amount and complexity of which parts do what. Importantly, he recommends how different parts match with other changes to the car! It's another part of the game where I'm learning, without feeling like I'm at driving school!


    11. Customisation isn't just under the hood, it's also... on the hood. I wasn't prepared for how far you can go in turning your car into your personal canvas.

    My race driver in "Gran Turismo 7" with my name "LUCA" across the helmet
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Artful or utterly covered in letters, pictures, shapes – there's no wrong answer. 

    From specific paint types that belonged to individual cars to the colour of letters on the car, you're only limited by your creativity! Oh and you can customise your race attire, meaning you can have a snazzy helmet and race overalls too!

    12. All the effort you'll make taking nice pics and designing your car shouldn't be kept to yourself though right? Now you have a social platform in the game – "the Showcase."

    The showcase platform in "Gran Turismo 7" with a picture of a racecar in the rain with options to like re-share and comment which people have done
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    You'll see other people's photos and replays, so you can like and reshare them! But you'll also see their car and player designs, which you can download and use yourself. You even get to follow and comment on your favourite creator's stuff. 

    It's nice to be a part of this in-game community without having to open Twitter —we do that enough right?


    13. Split-screen couch co-op, in the year of 2022!?

    A two-player split-screen race in "Gran Turismo 7"
    Luca Iacobucci / Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Remember playing games with a friend... sitting next to each other and trying to distract them? Other than games like Mario Kart, it's a luxury to have games with split-screen anymore. Thankfully, we have it here and I just wanted to acknowledge that (and now I can outrace my partner who is terrible at driving). 

    14. In collaboration with Sony, the developers helped create and train a revolutionary A.I for driving, named "SOPHY".

    View this video on YouTube
    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    They've spent a lot of time training this advanced A.I. not just to drive, but to be the best driver. Normally, the computer drivers have been programmed to know the course and mathematically how to navigate it, they'd never actually learn or adapt as a person would. 

    Not only have they trained SOPHY to learn as a human driver would, it actually managed to beat the best Gran Turismo racers in the real world!


    15. And finally, where did this absolute tune come from?!

    View this video on YouTube
    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Idris Elba?! Yes please! 

    Let us know how your Gran Turismo experience is going in the comments below!

    When you subscribe to BuzzFeed UK’s Shopping newsletter between 4th and 14th March 2022 you will be entered in a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher. One entry per person. Must be 18+ and legal resident of the UK. Full T&Cs here. Promoter: BuzzFeed UK Ltd. We will contact the lucky winner via email. Good luck!