Gran Turismo 7's Surprising Update: Unveiling the Secrets
In a move that caught many off guard, Polyphony Digital has unleashed a second update within a week for the beloved Gran Turismo 7. This 1.66 update, weighing in at a modest 415MB on PS4 and a slightly heftier 1GB on PS5, brings a host of intriguing changes.
But here's where it gets controversial... one of the key changes revolves around the PS5-exclusive Power Pack DLC. The update promises to rebalance the game's mechanics, particularly the AI behavior, but the details are shrouded in mystery.
For manual gear shift enthusiasts, there's a new rule in town. The update ensures that downshifting at extremely high engine speeds will be ignored. This technique, often employed in time trials, might just be a thing of the past. We tested it out, and it seems the developers are cracking down on this controversial practice.
The physics simulation model has also received some love, with adjustments made to a select few vehicles. The Jaguar VGTs, Hyundai N2025, Valkyrie, and ID.R have all had their Performance Point (PP) values tweaked.
And this is the part most people miss... there are global changes beyond the vehicle adjustments. One issue addressed was the Multiplayer/Lobby area, where players could only see one page of player-created lobbies, regardless of the actual number available. The update also tweaks the force feedback of steering controllers, though the specifics remain unknown.
The Power Pack DLC, responsible for the larger update size on PS5, has undergone some mysterious changes. The update claims to adjust the game balance and AI behavior, but the details are left to our imagination. From our initial glance, it seems the update adjusts PP values for player cars, including power and weight changes. The AI cars also appear to have been given a makeover, with one notable example being the Elantra in the Willow Springs FF Tuning Battle race, which is now more manageable.
We've also spotted some additional changes in the Power Pack, including a new results screen and the reintroduction of Sarah in the intro and your first race on each path. The automatic race-save feature, a lifesaver for those mid-endurance race when the update hit, ensures you can resume your progress, even if the cars might have changed slightly.
So, what do you think? Are these changes for the better? Or do they take away from the Gran Turismo experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
