Summary
- Gran Turismo 7 will finally include ray-traced reflections during gameplay on the PS5 Pro.
- PS5 Pro users will also have the option to play GT7 in 8K, but this may utilize PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution upscaling.
- The upgrades are tantalizing, but it remains to be seen if PS5 Pro can push GT7 to a stable 120fps as well.
Gran Turismo 7 is set to feature some incredible upgrades for PS5 Pro players, such as ray-traced reflections during gameplay and an all-new 8K graphics mode. The first-party PlayStation racer was already one of the best-looking games on the base PS5, but the PS5 Pro will soon become the definitive way to play GT7.
After a seemingly endless string of leaks and rumors, the PS5 Pro was finally unveiled in a new presentation hosted by PlayStation hardware architect Mark Cerny. The upgraded mid-generation console touts three key improvements over the vanilla PS5, namely a larger GPU, enhanced ray tracing capabilities, and a new AI-driven upscaler dubbed PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. Several PlayStation first-party games will receive PS5 Pro patches when the console releases on November 7, but Polyphony Digital's 2022 racing sim, Gran Turismo 7, seems to be a proper showcase of the PS5 Pro's added horsepower.
Leaker Shares Exciting Updates on PS5 Pro and Next State of Play
A well-known insider provides updates on when the heavily-rumored PS5 Pro could be revealed, as well as a big upcoming State of Play.
On the base PS5, GT7 disables ray-traced reflections during gameplay and only turns them on during race replays and within the in-game garage. However, the PS5 Pro technical presentation confirmed that the beefier console will finally allow GT7 to enable ray-traced reflections during gameplay, that too at Polyphony's intended 60fps target. Moreover, CNET's hands-on preview reveals that GT7 will also get an 8K mode on the PS5 Pro, which seems to be the new "fidelity mode" for the console. The 8K mode will apparently switch off ray tracing during gameplay, but it remains to be seen whether 60fps is also sacrificed.
GT7 Will Offer an 8K Mode on PS5 Pro, But With a Possible Catch
It's worth noting, though, that GT7's 8K mode might not present a native 7680x4320 image. A big chunk of the PS5 Pro technical presentation was spent on detailing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, which reportedly supports resolutions of up to 8K. Therefore, GT7 could likely be utilizing PSSR to achieve an 8K output, which is a clever way to go about it since native 8K is extremely taxing to render. Using PSSR could also allow for 60fps to be retained alongside the 8K image, which would no doubt be the best of both worlds for 8K TV owners.
GT7 is counted among some of the most realistic racing games ever made and will undoubtedly shine on the PS5 Pro, but there's also the question of 120fps support. Polyphony added VRR and 120Hz settings to GT7 last year, which allowed for the framerate to be uncapped during gameplay. However, the PS5 couldn't quite push the game to a stable 120fps with these unlocked settings. Only time will tell whether the PS5 Pro's added grunt will make GT7 robust on all framerate and resolution fronts, but at a steep $700 asking price, a lot of players remain skeptical about the value proposition of the PS5 Pro.
Gran Turismo 7
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- March 24, 2022
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Alcohol Reference, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Polyphony Digital
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Gran Turismo
WHERE TO PLAY
Gran Turismo 7 brings together the very best features of the Real Driving Simulator. Whether you’re a competitive or casual racer, collector, tuner, livery designer or photographer – find your line with a staggering collection of game modes including fan-favorites like GT Campaign, Arcade and Driving School. With the reintroduction of the legendary GT Simulation Mode, buy, tune and race your way through a rewarding solo campaign as you unlock new cars and challenges. And if you love going head-to-head with others, hone your skills and compete in the GT Sport Mode. With over 420 cars available at Brand Central and the Used Car Dealership from day one, Gran Turismo 7 recreates the look and feel of classic motors and bleeding-edge supercars alike in unparalleled detail. Each car handles differently and feels unique as you navigate over 90 track routes in dynamic weather conditions, including classic courses from GT history.
