PSVR2 is coming out in a few weeks and with it a number of new titles for the hardware. One game getting a free update to support PSVR2 is Gran Turismo 7.
Sony confirmed that the latest entry in Polyphony Digital's flagship racing simulation series will receive full VR support. This will be a game changer for sim racers who want a fully immersive racing experience with Gran Turismo 7.
The entire GT7 experience will get a full VR treatment except for the split-screen two-player race mode, which means the single-player campaign, competitive online multiplayer races, license tests and even purchasing a car via the dealership can be experienced in virtual reality.
"We’re thrilled that Gran Turismo 7 will be a PS VR2 launch title!," Polyphony Digital President Kazunori Yamauchi said of the upcoming update. "Through a free upgrade, for those who have already purchased Gran Turismo 7, players will experience all cars and tracks in VR like never before. GT7 in VR takes full advantage of PS VR2’s next-gen features."
He adds, "With eye tracking and foveated rendering, players will experience stunning visual fidelity while racing in any of the 450+ cars. While 2-player split-screen races are not supported in VR, all other races, including online races, will be available. From the Nürburgring to Tsukuba, tracks can be experienced exactly as they are in real life."
Gran Turismo 7 #PSVR2 hands-on details highlight:
🛞 Head tracking precision
💨 Enhanced sense of speed
✨ Dazzling VR Showroom
🏎️ Learn more at PS Blog: https://t.co/3b5x0D5ABi pic.twitter.com/f4yKNOYsDj— PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 2, 2023
Max Scoville and Ryan McCaffrey got the chance to test, hands-on, PSVR2 with Gran Turismo 7. McCaffrey, who has owned a DeLorean DMC-12, was amazed at the detailed cockpit interior.
"I have to say, I came out like legit, kind of blow away," McCaffrey said. "It is such a great fit for VR. I know it is not the first racing game to do VR but it's the first major console game to do VR in an easy couch way."
Polyphony Digital really did a fantastic job recreating the interior of each vehicle found in the game. The game already highlights the interiors when viewing the cars in the garage but it will surely be different seeing it in fully rendered in VR.
GT Planet’s Jordan Greer also got to try out the PSVR2 hardware firsthand. According to Greer, PSVR2 "gives you a deeper connection to the car you’re driving, as we can finally take full advantage of the beautifully rendered interiors that Polyphony Digital has put into the game."
"The good news is that I can tell you Gran Turismo 7 runs buttery smooth on PSVR2," Greer reports. "It looks bright, and crisp, and clear while you’re playing, and the whole experience feels natural and comfortable. I played for nearly an hour on various tracks, in various weather conditions, with a full grid of cars, and I never noticed any dropped frames or stuttering. It just worked, and it looked incredible."
GT7 is available exclusively on the PS4 and PS5 but the PSVR2 support is only compatible with the PS5.
Speaking of the PSVR2, Sony's new VR console will launch later this month. According to the reports, Sony is expecting a low sales turnout for the PSVR2 although the console manufacturer has since denied these claims.
