Gran Turismo 7: Not Open World, But Still Awesome

by Jhon Lennon 50 views

Hey everyone, let's talk about Gran Turismo 7! One of the biggest questions swirling around this amazing racing game is whether it's an open-world game. The short answer? No, it's not. But before you GT7 fans out there start to feel bummed, let me tell you why that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it allows Gran Turismo 7 to offer a super focused and incredibly polished racing experience that's hard to beat. Let's get into the specifics, shall we?

The Traditional Structure of Gran Turismo 7

Unlike games like Forza Horizon, which offer a sprawling open world for you to tear around in, Gran Turismo 7 takes a more traditional approach. Think of it more like a massive, highly detailed racing simulator with a linear structure. The game is built around a series of tracks, events, and challenges. You progress through the game by completing these challenges, earning credits, and unlocking new cars and tracks. It's a structured experience, but that's what makes it so great for many players.

The World Map and Menu System

Instead of a dynamic open world, Gran Turismo 7 presents you with a world map that acts as a hub. From here, you access different areas such as the World Circuits, Used Cars, Brand Central, and the License Center. Each of these areas is, in essence, a menu that allows you to dive deeper into the game. For example, the World Circuits area allows you to jump into various races and championships across the globe. Brand Central is where you can shop for brand-new cars, and the Used Cars section gives you access to a rotating stock of pre-owned vehicles. This menu-driven approach is a signature element of Gran Turismo and keeps the experience very organized and easy to navigate.

The Focus on Precision and Simulation

So, why did the developers at Polyphony Digital choose not to go the open-world route? Well, it all boils down to their core philosophy: a dedication to creating the most realistic and immersive racing simulation possible. The focus is on the details – the way the car handles, the feel of the track, the sound of the engine. An open world can dilute that focus, spreading the experience too thin. By sticking to a more structured format, Gran Turismo 7 is able to fine-tune every aspect of the racing experience.

The advantages of a structured format

  • Higher Fidelity Racing: A closed world enables the developers to focus more on the physics and handling of the cars. You feel the weight transfer, the grip, and the subtleties of each vehicle. It's an amazing experience. They can also focus on the details of each track, making sure that every curve, bump, and surface variation is perfectly replicated. That's a level of detail that would be nearly impossible to achieve in a vast open world.
  • Curated Content: The developers carefully curate the events, challenges, and cars in the game to provide a balanced and engaging experience. This ensures that you're always making progress and that there's always something new to look forward to. In a large open world, you might feel lost or overwhelmed. Gran Turismo 7 provides a clear path.
  • Optimized Performance: Without having to render a huge open world, the game can dedicate its resources to delivering stunning graphics and smooth gameplay. The cars look incredible, the tracks are gorgeous, and the game runs flawlessly. The game is optimized to deliver the best possible performance on the console.

Diving Deeper: The Core Gameplay of GT7

Even though Gran Turismo 7 doesn't feature an open world, the game's core gameplay is super engaging. It's all about the experience of getting behind the wheel and competing in various racing events. The game is super focused on offering a realistic and immersive simulation experience, and the attention to detail is truly impressive. From the way the cars handle to the sound of the engine, the game developers have tried their best to recreate the experience of driving a real car.

The Career Mode and Progression

Gran Turismo 7 has a detailed career mode. This is the main way to get started. You begin with a basic car and then work your way up by winning races and completing various challenges. The career mode helps you to progress, earn credits, and unlock new cars and tracks. It's a rewarding experience that keeps you engaged. As you improve, you'll be able to enter more challenging races and championships. The career mode is designed to teach you the fundamentals of racing and prepare you for the more advanced challenges the game has to offer. This allows you to build your skills and develop a deep understanding of the game.

Car Customization and Tuning

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Gran Turismo 7 is the car customization and tuning. You can spend hours modifying your cars to improve their performance and make them even more competitive. You can change everything from the suspension to the engine. There's so much to learn, so this means that even after hours of playing you are still discovering new things. In addition to performance modifications, you can also customize the appearance of your car with various paint colors, decals, and visual upgrades. This level of customization allows you to create a car that's truly unique.

Online Multiplayer

Gran Turismo 7 has a strong online multiplayer community. You can race against other players from around the world in a variety of events, including daily races and championships. The multiplayer experience adds a whole new layer of excitement to the game. Competing against other players provides a sense of competition and adds to the game's replayability. You can compete to improve your online ranking and earn rewards. The online multiplayer component of Gran Turismo 7 ensures that there is always a new challenge waiting for you.

Comparing GT7 to Other Racing Games

It's important to remember that Gran Turismo 7 is not trying to compete directly with open-world racing games like Forza Horizon. Instead, it's aiming for a different target: to provide the most realistic racing simulation experience possible. Here's a quick comparison:

Gran Turismo 7 vs. Forza Horizon

  • Gran Turismo 7: Focuses on realistic driving physics, a structured career mode, and a curated selection of cars and tracks. It prioritizes precision and simulation.
  • Forza Horizon: Offers an open world, a more arcade-like driving experience, and a wider variety of activities, such as exploration and side quests.

The strengths of each approach

Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Horizon each cater to different audiences. Gran Turismo 7 is perfect for those who want a serious racing simulation experience, while Forza Horizon appeals to gamers who prefer a more relaxed and open-ended experience. Neither approach is better or worse; they are simply different. It depends on your personal preferences. Both games are excellent in their respective categories.

Conclusion: The Beauty of Gran Turismo 7's Approach

So, to recap, Gran Turismo 7 is not an open-world game, and that's totally fine. Instead, it offers a beautifully crafted and detailed racing simulation that focuses on delivering an unparalleled driving experience. The structured format, the attention to detail, and the realistic physics all combine to create a game that's truly special. If you're a fan of racing games, then you owe it to yourself to try Gran Turismo 7. You'll find a world of racing that's incredibly engaging and rewarding. Even if you love open-world racing, give Gran Turismo 7 a try, you will appreciate how amazing it is.

Key Takeaways

  • Not Open World, but Focused: Gran Turismo 7 uses a structured, menu-driven approach, prioritizing a refined racing experience over an open world.
  • Simulation Excellence: The game's strength lies in its realistic driving physics, detailed tracks, and immersive atmosphere.
  • Perfect for Racing Fans: If you love racing, then Gran Turismo 7 is a must-play. It offers an engaging career mode, deep customization options, and an active online community.
  • Different Strokes: It's not the same as open-world games, but that's what makes it so awesome. You get a focused racing experience.

So there you have it, guys. Dive into Gran Turismo 7, embrace the structured format, and enjoy the thrill of the race!