Gran Turismo 7 VR Review-The Ultimate Racing Experience | My Gaming Buddies

Get an in-depth look at Gran Turismo 7 with the power of Virtual Reality. Find out what new features are available, such as HDR and 3D audio, as well as how exciting it can be to experience with the PlayStation VR2 headset!

Experience an invigorating simulation-style racer, now raised to new heights with the power of Virtual Reality.

When it comes to racing games, I usually choose Forza Horizon 5's accessible open-world over Gran Turismo 7's more serious approach since the latter had never quite lived up to its promises. However, with the release of the PlayStation VR2 headset, GT7 is finally living up to its hype and propelling itself ahead - giving players an immersive new way to experience the game that makes nitrous oxide seem like child’s play. Experience the impressive haptics, HDR, and 3D audio of a headset as you embark on an immersive adventure with Gran Turismo 7. Whether or not you're usually into its regimentation and slow-paced progression doesn't matter - this is something all car aficionados and racing fans should try! For already existing followers of the game, PS VR2 provides such a mesmerizing visual experience that it's practically impossible to deny Gran Turismo 7's virtual reality mode being an essential upgrade.

Experience the total immersion of Gran Turismo 7 VR and its incredibly life-like visuals and physics. The raindrops cascading down your virtual windshield feel so real, you can almost touch them! When I played this game, it was a truly exhilarating experience - from driving around Deep Forest Raceway to Tokyo’s Central Circuit, you won't be disappointed with what awaits you here. Believe me when I say that as soon as take part in Gran Turismo's campaign mode for yourself there will be no holding back your excitement to get behind the wheel again.

Once you enter a race or one of the VR-specific modes, your entire 110-degree field of view is illuminated with both detail and color unlike ever before. Turn your head left or right and you'll gain an awe-inspiring sense of being in that space. Interestingly enough, playing GT7 proficiently while using VR mode requires similar levels of spatial awareness as if driving in real life! Unfortunately, though, menus remain disappointingly displayed on a flat-screen inside the headset. Rearview mirrors and other reference points are quite helpful in gauging your vehicle's performance, but having a luxurious steering wheel setup can be even more reassuring.

The PS5's Dual Sense controller is a great addition to the console, giving users an immersive experience with haptic bumps and jerks that replicate the motion of a steering wheel in their hands. Its adaptive triggers similarly mirror pedal resistance on your index fingers as engines thunder around you. If you happen to crash into walls or other vehicles, VR2’s in-headset vibrators deliver pleasing feedback right away. These intricate details coalesce in my mind, forming a hyper-realistic VR experience like none other. In comparison to games that require you to pretend to walk by swinging your arms left and right for example, this game accurately depicts the cockpit and is an excellent representation of virtual reality’s true potential.

Exploring the virtual reality world of GT7 made me more invested in its rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, you never actually get to witness yourself enter the cabin - a real letdown. Similarly, no particular animations or virtual reality scenes exist to show what transpires between menu selections. Furthermore, your vehicle's consoles and buttons are merely illuminated when headlights are turned on at night; this feature is activated automatically. Gran Turismo 7 has always had a more minimalistic approach to excess, so the simplified menus are just seen as an efficient way of easily navigating. Whenever I'm behind the wheel, my attention is solely on the road ahead and not its virtual surroundings, making any lack of digital interaction unnoticeable amidst such an immersive racing experience.

When Gran Turismo 7 arrived in virtual reality, it exceeded my expectations. I was now so deeply embedded within its digital world that I found myself dedicating the time to truly comprehend how all of its complex systems worked together. The helpful on-screen HUD directly mirrored the physical dashboard and controls inside my vehicle, yet any alterations made had an immediate effect on performance which could be felt throughout every inch of your body - allowing me to appreciate racing like never before! With TCL, fuel mapping, brake positioning, tuning and other modifications included in GT7’s VR mode, it is a great way to learn the intricacies of vehicles. When playing third-person mode there is less audio/visual feedback so it can be harder to make out those nuances; however in virtual reality I could really hone my skills with ease! This makes the simulation aspects more enjoyable and accessible for individuals who might initially find them intimidating.

When the PS5 is running at its best, Gran Turismo 7 VR puts on a stunning display of visuals. From vast draw distances to action-packed moments, this game really comes alive when you're neck and neck with another car while several others are chasing in your rearview mirror against a captivating backdrop of the French countryside lit up by a glowing sunrise. The incredible technical specs of the PS VR2 create an immersive experience like no other. Granted, there are a few animation errors that can somewhat disrupt your journey such as when your avatar's hand glitches through a gear shifter, however you really need to be paying attention to notice them. While some slight details might disappoint perfectionists, it is clear that so much effort has been put into everything else which ultimately does not take away from the general enjoyment of this amazing game.

GT7's shopping experience has been completely transformed with the stunningly beautiful VR Showroom. Here, you can spend as much time as you'd like admiring each vehicle in Gran Turismo 7's huge selection. It's an awe-inspiring feeling to get close to a Jaguar F-Type R V8 engine and hear its deep growl! And if that isn't enough, entering your own garage permits access to even more remote locations throughout the game - without ever leaving the virtual showroom! Here, you can get creative with the lighting options to take amazing close-up shots of your owned vehicles. You won't believe how delightful it is in Gran Turismo 7's VR2 4K HDR OLED glory! It always puts a smile on my face when I'm able to stand next to one of my custom liveries that may have originally been inside jokes between friends.

Experience your favorite racing moments like never before with the use of VR replays! You'll get unprecedented views and angles as you stand in, quite literally, as the replay camera. As cars speed around the track every few seconds, hear how their engines roar near and far thanks to GT7's exceptional 3D sound design and audio specialization. Although it may be a bit disorienting at times (GT7 will move you ahead of the swiftest car on the track), it’s an opportunity for unparalleled immersion that can't be replicated anywhere else.

Judgment

Gran Turismo 7 is already a fantastic simulation-oriented racing game, but when paired with the PlayStation VR2 headset it reaches unprecedented heights. Once you've begun your race in virtual reality, you can experience all of your vehicle adjustments and personalization's as though you could feel them! This means that even amateur players have an easier time understanding more complex customization choices that may have previously been daunting. With beautiful visuals, vibrant lighting and sumptuous audio effects, the PlayStation VR2 headset is a must-have. Plus, if you are getting the headset anyway then you should definitely buy this one game too that'll keep you busy for hours on end!