Gran Turismo 7 release date revealed at September PlayStation Showcase

Mind you, the latest trailer wasn't all about looking back to the past. Sony and Polyphony Digital also took their time to show off the dozens of sleek cars that players will have a chance to drive in the game once it's available. Naturally, high-fidelity visuals were part of the showcase. However, what comes off as a surprise is that Gran Turismo 7 appears to have an open world for driving filled with points of interest and map icons, among others.

What gives further credence to this "theory" is the existence of a humongous garage that serves as the game's hub where players can store unlocked vehicles, as well as customize everything that they can get their hands on, including off-roading jeeps and classic sleeper builds, among others.

As always, Polyphony Digital is at the helm of the upcoming racing game. Sony originally announced Gran Turismo 7 as a PS5-exclusive for 2021. Unfortunately, in an interview earlier this year, Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO, Jim Ryan, revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the studio to push back the game's release date to a later time. Later on, Hermen Hulst confirmed that Gran Turismo 7 will also release on the PS4.

As we mentioned earlier, the franchise is nearly as old as the PlayStation brand itself. Gran Turismo is also widely considered one of the best racing sim series of all time. Sony has often relied on these racing games to showcase its console's technical capabilities. However, the series has had better days. Despite its ongoing popularity, 2017's Gran Turismo Sport was seen as a stark departure from the classic Gran Turismo formula that fans have come to love over the years.

With Gran Turismo 7, Polyphony Digital will look to prove that the decades-old franchise still has what it takes to keep up with the likes of Forza Horizon 5.