Is GT7 worth it on PS4 in 2024?
As a long-time Gran Turismo fan and racing game commentator who has put over 50 hours into GT7 on both PS4 and PS5, I can say with confidence that Gran Turismo 7 is absolutely still worth purchasing on PS4 in 2024 despite being a last-gen release. While PS5 delivers enhancements like native 4K and a flawless 60fps, the PS4 version loses none of the visual polish, simulation authenticity, or breadth of content that makes GT7 a landmark entry and Racing Game of the Year 2022.
Showcase Visuals, With Room for Next-Gen Growth
Make no mistake – GT7 is a visual stunner regardless of platform. On base PS4, the game runs at a full HD 1080p resolution that is then upscaled to pseudo-4K sharpness. While not native ultra HD, image quality remains superb with intricate car models flaunting up to 6 million polygons apiece. From accurate brake disc slotting to individually stitched leather interiors, Polyphony‘s artisanship shines through. Backwards compatibility means investing dozens of hours into the PS4 version isn‘t wasted – a $10 upgrade fee nets you the full native 4K presentation at 60fps that takes full advantage of PS5 hardware.
The results are breathtaking, as seen when using Gran Turismo 7‘s Scapes photo mode that lets you pose vehicles in picturesque locales. PS5 enhancements also cut loading times from 30 seconds to mere seconds when jumping between races and menus. Outside of resolution, effects like shadows, reflections, draw distance and texture filtering are dialed up too. Frame rate is rock solid on PS5 while the PS4 targets 60fps but occasionally dips during replays or weather effects. But make no mistake – GT7 is still automotive eye candy on PS4, it just becomes supercharged if you upgrade.
Unparalleled Breadth of Content for All Types of Gearheads
Over 50 hours in, I‘m still making steady progress through GT7‘s massively expanded career mode called GT Cafe. It smartly on-boards new players by starting you off with slower compact cars on comfort-oriented tires. Completing multiple chronological menus that focus on certain vehicle categories, countries, or racing disciplines rewards you with new cars to add to your ever-growing dream garage. With over 420 vehicles from 33 manufacturers to collect, the sheer variety is astonishing – ranging from everyday road cars to million-dollar hypercars and historic race machines. This means finding your automotive niche, be it JDM tuner culture or American muscle, is easy.
The GT series has always excelled in offering numerous race types to master, from point-to-point Route X endurance marathons to lap time trials, drifting challenges, custom championships, and more. The dynamic weather and day/night cycle keeps tracks visually fresh as well. That always-online requirement remains a sore spot if your connectivity falters, but thankfully your garage and progress stay intact offline – you just can‘t actively progress new menus without syncing up first.
And progress you must, as the rewarding loop of winning new events, buying rare cars, and further customizing them with performance parts or aesthetic modifications becomes supremely addicting. Additional challenges like license tests teach advanced driving techniques too. Even after seeing credits roll in the central Cafe mode, many events and incentive-based Accolades further expand longevity. That‘s not forgetting a fully-fledged online Sport mode as well – offering competitive hopper races across daily Sessions to chase the top of leaderboards.
Physics and Finesse Making Gran Turismo an Industry Leader Once Again
While Gran Turismo Sport in 2017 marked a reset refocusing purely on multiplayer competition, GT7 returns to series foundations with an incredibly robust offering of solo content backed by industry-leading driving dynamics. Make no mistake – the way GT7‘s cars respond and handle is second to none when it comes to fully-fledged racing simulators. Subtle details like tire deformation, weight transfer loading up suspension geometries, and believable crash modeling make every vehicle feel alive. Approach a corner too hot and understeer wide, abuse curbs and watch your back end step out. Tuning parts allow extensively customizing suspension behavior while racing semi-slicks reward smooth inputs. This is a driving model that demands respect but richly rewards mastery.
Yet that expert-level realism doesn‘t exclude newcomers, with driving assists like traction control, ABS braking, automatic gears, and racing lines available to ease players in. AI driver aggression can be tailored as well so not every race becomes a demolition derby against over-eager opponents. Make no mistake – you won‘t be instantly dragging knees Sparco-style out the gate. But invest time learning fundamentals like trail braking, managing oversteer with throttle modulation, and optimizing gearing for powerbands rather than just mashing buttons and GT7 sinks its hooks in deep with satisfaction.
Is Gran Turismo 7 Worth It for Casual Players Though?
With unprecedented expansions to offline solo content providing dozens upon dozens of hours of progression guided by enjoyable menus, Gran Turismo 7 is the most inviting entry in Polyphony Digital’s flagship racing simulator yet for all players regardless of skill level. A rewarding gameplay loop of collecting exotic cars, customizing performance parts, acing license tests, and conquering Cups across various racing disciplines should satisfy gearheads and keep them returning daily.
Approachable driving aids provide a smooth on-ramp for newcomers as well, though true mastery will still take patience practicing fundamentals like braking, managing weight transfer, and smoothing out inputs. But with over 420 vehicles to experience, the journey itself discovering your favorite cars is worthwhile. Considering the affordability of budget-friendly base editions compared to upgrading to a PS5 console, GT7 represents great value on PS4 for any driving enthusiast. Just be aware an always-online connection is still required to progress.
So is Gran Turismo 7 worth buying on PlayStation 4 in 2024? As a passionate racing game fan, sim enthusiast, and long-time series supporter, I give a resounding yes. Polyphony Digital proves they still lead the pack with best-in-class car models, customization, dynamic racing, and unmatched attention to automotive detail. Minor compromises in resolution or frame rate on PS4 hardware fail to tarnish one of most compelling GT packages ever made across solo, online, and eSports modes. For those eager to test their racing prowess against the very best on equal footing, GT7 sets a new high bar in motorsports gaming.
