Gran Turismo 7 races on PS4 and PS5 tomorrow, March 4. Polyphony Digital’s driving simulator is a celebration of car culture built to be enjoyed by new drivers as well as fans. Current grave favorite.
Watch the intro to the GT7’s opening movie for a history of compact cars, starting with Carl Benz’s first car proposal, all the way to the newest EV, the Porsche Taycan.
Racing, collecting, unlocking, tuning, taking pictures… the game features * are tailored to let you express your love of cars the way you like. However, if you’re new to the series, Gran Turismo 7 is easy to get into. If you’re considering getting into the game for a test drive, here are some basic tips that will set you up for success.
Music Rally keeps you on track
When you first launch Gran Turismo 7, you’ll be asked a few questions about how you want to drive. Analog stick, directional pad, or steering motion? Do you want to enable any automatic driving features? Any visual indicators on the road to help you brake appropriately? Preloading these questions may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but they quickly set you up for success, as you can instantly apply your settings to your first race – the new Music Rally feature.
Instead of racing against a traditional countdown timer, the goal is to listen to the music while you’re driving. Pass through colored portals that will supplement your beats as you drive. The more spans you achieve, the longer you can drive. Naturally, each track has a different BPM (beats per minute). There are six different songs to choose from and many more for you to play with your friends
This is not a race to the finish line 1st. It’s about keeping up with the beat and getting to the next checkpoint. It’s also a fun, stress-free way to familiarize yourself with your control plan right out of the gate. If you don’t like your initial settings, don’t worry – you can adjust them at any time.
And while this isn’t really a “trick,” the new Music Playback feature randomly generates cuts based on the pitch and tempo of your chosen song. Each music playback will have different camera angles and layouts. It’s a fun way to see your racing skills highlighted in a dynamic and engaging way.
The resort-like campaign map makes it easy to get into the game
With hundreds of cars, thousands of parts and tons of information about car culture, it is easy for new players to see some menus or screenshots of Gran Turismo 7 and feel overwhelmed. But don’t panic! You don’t need to know what the gear ratio is to go fast, get a car and experience pretty much all that Gran Turismo 7 has to offer.
As noted in Our Play Status Blog post, which for the first few hours guides you through each area of the world map, giving explanations and basic instructions on what to do next. And as you collect some of your first cars, you’ll be immersed in stunning and legendary visuals smog tunes. Before long, the fascinating audiovisual wonder of this car mission will appear.
Your garage will grow pretty quickly
Your first major decision is to choose one of the three compact cars. You’ll quickly earn the other two, so just choose the one that speaks to you. These starter cars are just that, and will soon give way to sportier, faster options. So for the first few hours, play around! Drive a variety of cars, experiment with tuning (more info below) and basically just find something that works for you.
Everyone’s itinerary will be different, but broadly speaking, you should have plenty of vehicles to choose from within the first few hours. Following the Books Menu at GT Café will earn you a few new cars, but don’t forget to check out Brand Central once you’ve unlocked it for more options.
License Check is like a boss battle
A core part of the GT experience, License Check teaches you vital driving skills through scenario-based mini-games. Your vehicle is predetermined and your goal is always clear (“accelerate and then brake to a full stop in this designated area”), so trying these tests and applying Applying this knowledge to the rest of the game is crucial.
However, some tests are very difficult! And even if you get Bronze or Silver, gold can be very powerful. The License Check is easy to fail on the first or second try, but as you try again and again, you’ll start to notice things: when to shift, when to brake, what “feels” correct”. And you will get that Silver soon. Then a gold. And just like any boss fight that totally pisses you off the first 10 times, you’ll eventually have to overcome these challenges and know exactly how to handle the situation when it comes up again.
It’s a feeling that’s not too far-fetched in the face of notoriously tough bosses – achievement, understanding, and maybe just a little “yesssss”. Catched it. On the PS5, the ultra-fast SSD makes all these retries a breeze, so learn to love the License Tests.
Upgrade your tires (and whatever else comes your way)
While some of the early cars were certainly adjustable, don’t worry about them too much. Buy more cars, find something you like, and then start playing with parts. Tires are a great tuning option that gives pretty obvious results, so consider them before going into power.
One of the previous Menu Books also requires you to adjust, so one way or another you will find yourself in the tuning garage. The tuning certainly makes a difference, but you don’t have to obsess over the fine tuning details to experience the main campaign and hours of driving. For those looking to go the extra mile… there’s a lot to consider.
Try all modes
Diversity is high octane lead free life. Cafés can provide plenty of directions for new players, but don’t be afraid to head to Around the World, Check Licenses, Pictures, Tuning Stores, etc., just to see all that’s going on in there. Seeing your favorite car sparkle in a stunning setting really helps you appreciate your collection, and tracks for familiar races and/or extra credits always is a smart move.
Gran Turismo 7 coming out tomorrow on PS5. For more on GT7 check out This launch announcement from Series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi.
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