Gran Turismo Sport lands on PS4 and PSVR as a racing game built for the track and the living room alike, and it mostly delivers on that promise. Sony’s first attempt at a full-fledged GT title since the series left Polyphony Digital carries a real weight behind it. The cars feel heavy, the physics feel honest, and the career mode asks players to treat the wheel like a job rather than a toy. It is not perfect. The online modes struggle to fill their ranks, and the menus still ask too much of the player who just wants to drive. But when everything lines up, Gran Turismo Sport feels like the closest thing to being in a car.
Trailer, via IGDBcom.
The Weight of the Car
The driving model is the heart of any racing game, and Gran Turismo Sport gets it right. Cars handle with a physical presence that rivals the best simulators out there. Grip is earned through steering angle, throttle position, and brake timing. Drift comes from holding the gas while turning, not from a button press. The feedback is immediate and consistent, and it rewards patience over quick hands.
The sound design supports this. Engine notes rise and fall with throttle input, and the tires scream when pushed past their limit. The audio tells the driver what the car is doing before the eyes can confirm it. That combination of feel and sound makes the game’s solo runs some of the best moments in the genre.
Career Mode and the Track List
The career mode is where the game asks the most of its players. It is a long journey across a variety of disciplines, each with its own rules and demands:
- Sprint races
- Endurance events
- Rally stages
- Time trials
Players earn points, unlock new cars, and climb through ranks by winning races. The progression system is dense, and the menu for managing vehicles, upgrades, and events can be overwhelming at times.
The track selection is strong. Gran Turismo Sport offers a mix of real-world circuits and fictional layouts, each rendered with a high level of detail. The lighting, especially during night races, is some of the best in the genre. The tracks hold up well under repeated passes, though a few of the fictional designs feel less inspired than the real ones.
Online Play and Its Limits
Online play is where Gran Turismo Sport stumbles. The matchmaking system struggles to find opponents at lower ranks, and the wait times for lobbies can be long. When a race finally starts, the connection holds, and the experience is smooth. But the difficulty in finding a race means that the online portion of the game often feels half-baked compared to the polished single-player content.
The split-screen support is a welcome addition, letting friends race side by side on the couch. It is a small touch, but it shows that the developers thought about local play alongside online competition.
The Look of the Game
The presentation is strong. The menus are clean, and the loading times are short. The car models are detailed, and the paint looks wet and alive. The weather effects, particularly rain and fog, add a layer of realism that other racers rarely attempt. The frame rate holds steady during races, even on busier tracks, which is a technical achievement worth noting.
The PSVR support is worth mentioning separately. The game can be played in virtual reality, and the immersion is genuine. Looking around the cockpit, checking mirrors, and scanning the road ahead all work as intended. The VR mode is not a gimmick; it is a fully realized way to play the game.
What Holds It Back
The menus are the game’s biggest weakness. They are dense, layered, and sometimes confusing. Players looking to enter a race, change a car setup, or check their stats will spend more time navigating than they want to. A simpler interface would make the game easier to recommend, but it is not a fatal flaw.
The lack of a strong narrative thread is also noticeable. Gran Turismo Sport leans heavily on its mechanics and its career structure, but it does not offer much in the way of story or character development. That is fine for a pure racer, but it leaves the game feeling thin next to titles that balance systems with a sense of purpose.
The Sound Design
The audio deserves special mention. The engine sounds are realistic, the tire noise is precise, and the ambient noise of the crowd adds to the atmosphere. The music is sparse and unobtrusive, which is the right call for a game that wants the cars to be the stars.
The Long Road Ahead
Gran Turismo Sport is a solid entry in the genre, but it is not a must-have for everyone. Players who want a deep, rewarding driving experience will find plenty to love. Those who prefer arcade-style thrills or simple multiplayer fun might look elsewhere.
The game is at its best when driven solo, on a real track, with the sun low in the sky. It is at its worst when waiting for a lobby to fill or trying to understand a convoluted menu. The gap between the highs and the lows is wide, but the highs are high enough to justify the purchase.
Final Score
Gran Turismo Sport is a strong, if flawed, racing game. Its driving model is excellent, its presentation is sharp, and its career mode is ambitious. The online issues and menu complexity keep it from greatness, but they do not sink it. For fans of the genre, it is a worthy addition to the collection. For newcomers, it is a good starting point, though they might want to try a friendlier racer first.
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