Gran Turismo 7: GT7 reviews roundup, PS5 Metacritic score, release date - how many cars are in the game?

Gran Turismo isn’t just one of the biggest racing game franchises of all time, it’s arguably one of the biggest gaming franchises full stop.

The long-awaited seventh instalment of the franchise is almost upon us, bringing the 25-year old series to the latest generation of games consoles.

Expect dazzling graphics and unparalleled motorsporting detail.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

How many cars are there?

In racing games, content is king, and having a huge number of cars and tracks to choose from is a great way to stand out from competitors.

Historically, Gran Turismo had a ludicrous number of car options, with umpteen special variations of each Japanese enthusiast car.

That might be a thing of the past, but GT7 still has an excellent selection of cars, with over 400 vehicles from more than 60 automotive brands.

In terms of circuits on which to race them, the track list has 34 locations around the world with 97 layouts, with a mix of real-world circuits and fictional creations from previous games.

The races that take place on those tracks are sure to be dynamic too, with Gran Turismo 7 replicating the real-world climates of its virtual locations, with cloud formation and weather patterns that are realistic to their settings and ever-changing.

For instance, a dry race could turn wet, with puddles left by the rain remaining as the driving line dries out quicker than the rest of the track, just as in real life.

How difficult is it?

The Gran Turismo series prides itself on its realistic simulation of driving.

You're unlikely to be slinging supercars sideways around a track - unless you’ve put hours of practice in, of course - or bouncing off crash barriers and fellow racers with little consequence.

Instead, GT7 plays out much more like a real life race, with players able to “tune” and upgrade their vehicle to make it faster and handle better over time.

But there’s still room for newcomers to the series, with the games Cafe section a place for newbies to learn the tricks of the tarmac; easy-to-understand performance points and training systems make the game accessible to beginners, as well as satisfying old fans.

Car buffs will also find enjoyment there, with players able to work through a menu of ‘quests’ that involve collecting iconic cars from various points in automotive history.

As you collect more cars you’re treated to videos detailing their history and why they’re so important, with relevant people from their stories – such as designers and engineers – drafted in to explain the details.

Is it any good?

At the time of writing, Gran Turismo 7 currently boasts an impressive score of 88 on Metacritic, a site which collates the reviews of critics to give a consensus.

IGN gave the game a nine out of 10, and said: “With gorgeous graphics, a fantastic driving feel, and racing options galore, it’s the best the series has been since its dominant PlayStation 2 era.”

Eurogamer called GT7 “the most focused and finessed Gran Turismo to date,” while GamesRadar’s reviewer said it is “one of the best driving games I’ve ever played… Gran Turismo 7 is the real deal and every PlayStation owner should buy it.”

When can I play it?

Gran Turismo 7 will be released for PlayStation consoles on 4 March.

It will be available for both the PS4 and PS5 machine, though the new model of console is able to support even more dazzling visuals, with features such as ray tracing giving the game realistic reflections in replay mode.

The game is still content complete on the PS4, but it won’t look quite as sharp, and won’t be able to take advantage of PS5 exclusive features like the DualSense controller, which offers realistic rumble and haptic feedback.

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