A quick guide to Gran Turismo 7 for new racers

Gran Turismo 7 will race on PS4 and PS5 tomorrow, March 4. The Polyphony Digital driving simulator is a celebration of an automotive culture designed to be enjoyed by both new drivers and existing fans.

Take a look at the introduction to the GT7’s opening film about the compact history of cars, from Carl Benz’s oldest car design to the latest EV, the Porsche Taycan.

Race, collect, unlock, tune, shoot … game features * are customized so you can express your love for the cars you want. Even if you are new to the series, Gran Turismo 7 is much easier to get into. If you are considering taking the game on a test drive, here are some basic tips on how to stay motivated.

Music Rally gets you on the track right away

When you first launch Gran Turismo 7, you will be asked driving questions. Analog stick, d-pad or movement direction? Do you want to enable startup? Are there signs on the road to help you stop correctly? Carrying these requests for the first time might seem like a lot at first, but with the new Rally Music, you can apply your settings immediately to your first race, so you can finish quickly. Instead of competing with traditional countdown watches, the goal is to listen to music while driving. Going through the color door will add a bit while you are driving. The more beats you get, the greater the distance you can travel. Naturally, all music has a difference of one minute (BPM). There are 6 songs to choose from and many more to play against your friends.

This is not a race for first place. It’s about getting caught with the device and getting to the next checkpoint. It’s also a fun and stress-free way to get used to your management immediately. If you don’t like the initial setup, don’t worry. You can repair it at any time.

And while it’s not a “guide,” the new music playback feature creates random cuts based on usage and assembly of the selected song. All music covers have different cameras and settings. A great way to show off your athleticism in a strong and engaging way.

The resort-like campaign map eases you into the game

With hundreds of cars, thousands of parts, and reams of information about car culture, it’s easy for new players to see certain menus or screenshots of Gran Turismo 7 and feel overwhelmed. But don’t panic! You don’t need to know what a gear ratio is to go fast, earn cars, and experience pretty much all Gran Turismo 7 has to offer.

As noted in our State of Play Blog post, the first few hours guide you through each area of the world map, offering explanations and light direction about what to do next. And as you collect your first few cars, you’ll be soaking up the insanely gorgeous visuals and legendarily smoooooth tunes. Before long, the alluring audiovisual wonder of this car quest will settle in.

Your garage will grow fairly quickly

Your first big decision is choosing one of three compact cars. You’ll quickly earn the other two, so just pick the one that speaks to you. These starter cars are just that, and will quickly give way to sportier, faster options. So for those first several hours, play around! Drive a lot of different cars, experiment with tuning (more on that below), and basically just find something that feels right to you.

Everyone’s journey will vary, but broadly speaking you should have many cars to choose from within the first few hours. Following the Menu Books at the GT Café will earn you a fair few new cars, but don’t forget to scope out Brand Central once you’ve unlocked it for additional options.

License Tests are like boss battles

A core part of the GT experience, License Tests teach you critical driving skills via short, scenario-based minigames. Your car is predetermined, and your goal is always clear (“accelerate and then brake to a full stop within this designated area”), so attempting these tests and applying this knowledge to the rest of the game is crucial.

However, some of the tests are hard! And even if you get Bronze or Silver, nabbing Gold can be intense. License Tests are easy to fail on the first or second attempt, but as you try again and again, you’ll start noticing things: when to shift, when to brake, what “feels right.” And soon you’ll get that Silver. Then a Gold. And like any boss battle that completely vexes you the first 10 times, you’ll eventually smoke these challenges and know exactly how to handle this situation when it comes up again.

It’s a feeling not too far removed from tackling notoriously difficult bosses – accomplishment, understanding, and maybe just a pinch of “yesssss got you.” On PS5, the ultra-high speed SSD makes all these retries a breeze, so learn to love the License Tests.

Upgrade your tires (and whatever else leaps out at you)

While those first few cars are certainly tunable, don’t worry about them too much. Acquire more cars, find something you like, and then start playing around with parts. Tires are a great tuning option that give pretty tangible results, so consider them before getting into horsepower.

One of the earlier Menu Books asks you to tune as well, so one way or the other you’ll find yourself at the tuning garage. Tuning definitely makes a difference, but you don’t need to obsess over extremely fine tuning details to experience the main campaign and hours upon hours of car ogling. For those who want to go that extra mile… there is much to consider.

Try all the modes

Variety is the high-octane unleaded of life. The Café can provide a lot of direction for new players, but don’t be afraid to bounce to the World Circuits, License Tests, Scapes,Tuning Shop, and so on, just to see what all’s out there. Seeing your favorite car glistening in a beautiful scape really does give you a greater appreciation for your collection, and racing tracks for familiarly and/or extra credits is always a smart move.