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Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation 5: The Digital Foundry Tech Review

MidGenRefresh

MidGenRefresh

*Refreshes biennially
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winjer

winjer

Gold Member

Gran Turismo 7 tech analysis: how Polyphony uses the power of PS5​


GT7 seems to have been built directly on GT Sport then - which perhaps explains why it is a cross generation release, but that doesn't mean it's not a beautiful game. So, what does that mean for players then? Well, in building GT7 for PlayStation 5, I see several key areas where Polyphony took advantage of the new hardware to improve the experience. That starts with image quality, the addition of ray traced reflections and the elimination of loading times.

There's more of course, but this is a good place to start. Gran Turismo Sport's checkerboarded 1800p (or alternatively, 1080p if you set up the front end accordingly) is upgraded to full, native 4K. Beyond the pixel count, however, other aspects of the image are improved - texture filtering, shadow quality, reflection quality and more have all been enhanced. It's not perfect but it goes a long way to reducing some of the visual artefacts you could spot in GT Sport.

One of my favourite additions, however, is the inclusion of per-pixel motion blur during actual gameplay. I believe GT Sport allowed this in the lower resolution mode on the PS4 Pro but it's nice to finally see the effect used at full resolution, greatly improving the sense of speed and the feeling of motion. So, this is the first improvement then - image quality is a significant step up from GT Sport. My only complaint is that there aren't any lower resolution options that may have allowed for hardware-accelerated ray tracing to be used in-game.

Hardware-accelerated RT is a key feature, but you're offered the choice between using ray tracing or enjoying a higher frame-rate. Effectively, when using ray traced reflections, this feature is engaged in basically every scene featuring cars except actual gameplay. Replays, interludes and everything within the menu system uses this feature but the frame-rate is capped at 30fps, while turning off RT removes the performance limit. I played with RT enabled and the reason why it's desirable comes down to the nature of cars and the materials they've made from. One of the key strengths in Gran Turismo lies in its treatment of car paint - there is a real attention to detail paid to the way light interacts across a wide range of surfaces. This was already exceptionally well-handled in GT Sport and GT7 is simply a continuation of this work, using more advanced hardware.
Click to expand...

The approach taken in GT7 is similar to Insomniac's work in Ratchet and Clank and Marvel's Spider-Man, where rays are traced into a simplified acceleration structure to speed up the process - that is, the environment visible within the paint is simplified. Most of the budget is spent on the cars, which are presented with a high level of detail within the acceleration structure, leading to very clean, accurate reflections. This especially pays off in replays, which is precisely where you're most likely to notice reflections in the first place - but the hit to performance makes it unsuitable for gameplay, where Polyphony targets 60fps. I'd like have seen an Insomniac-style performance RT mode, assuming that the resolution alone is the limiting factor (setting up the BVH acceleration structure for RT comes with its own CPU cost).
Click to expand...
Moving on to game performance, there are essentially three individual areas to discuss: gameplay frame-rate, replays with ray tracing and replays without ray tracing. During play, the news is predominately positive. In the vast majority of cases, you'll enjoy completely stable 60 frames per second gameplay. Nearly every race runs consistently, even with a grid of 20 cars on the track.

However, there are two specific conditions which can cause drops in performance. Firstly, there's Trial Mountain. For whatever reason, there are minor dips in performance while driving around the track. It's not even impacted by the number of cars in the race - it seems to be down to the environment itself. Solving it will require some tweaking of the track. Beyond that, we need to invoke stress test conditions to make the frame-rate buckle: load up a track in the rain at dusk or dawn, fill out the grid with all 20 cars and for the most pain, set your starting position at the very back of the pack. With this, the screen is filled with reflections, particles and cars causing the frame-rate to dip. This, I've found, id the absolute worst-case scenario for GT7. It's something that could easily be cleaned up with VRR or dynamic resolution scaling but as of right now, the system and the game don't support those features.

With RT-based replays, frame-rate is capped at 30fps and this is maintained most of the time - replays run very consistently and look great with RT reflections but, as you might guess, the stress test conditions for gameplay have a similar impact in replays, causing dips beneath 30fps. But this is exceptional: space the cars out a little further into the race and the problem disappears. Non-RT replays target 60fps and again, it's the same story - mostly solid but combine a tightly packed grid with bad weather and you may see some dips.
Click to expand...
 
fatmarco

fatmarco

Member
In actual gameplay you feel that cross gen it looks like.

I think honestly the inevitably unshackled GT8 will destroy this game (whenever it comes out), but it's a real shame that they just had to release this on ps4.
 
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H

Hunnybun

Member
Hobbygaming said:
The realistic lighting, the cars and the best reflections on cars yet (DF's words) along with gorgeous skies doesn't impress you? It looks fantastic
Click to expand...

The lighting is present in the PS4 version isn't it? If not then that's a plus, I admit.

Are the reflections they're referring to the RT? If so then that's irrelevant, as not present during gameplay.

No I'm not impressed. It looks like a PS4 game (namely Gran Turismo 7). Why would that impress me?
 
assurdum

assurdum

Banned
Hunnybun said:
The lighting is present in the PS4 version isn't it? If not then that's a plus, I admit.

Are the reflections they're referring to the RT? If so then that's irrelevant, as not present during gameplay.

No I'm not impressed. It looks like a PS4 game (namely Gran Turismo 7). Why would that impress me?
Click to expand...
You can stop to post after this claim. It's clear you have no embarrassment and you want just to make console war. Better abandon the thread now if you have a minimum of personal dignity.
 
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Hobbygaming

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Hunnybun said:
The lighting is present in the PS4 version isn't it? If not then that's a plus, I admit.

Are the reflections they're referring to the RT? If so then that's irrelevant, as not present during gameplay.

No I'm not impressed. It looks like a PS4 game (namely Gran Turismo 7). Why would that impress me?
Click to expand...
No, he says the car reflections without RT are the best he's ever seen
 
Markio128

Markio128

Member
Riky said:
Framerates hit the forties, needs dynamic resolution badly.
Click to expand...
You’re such a drama queen lol. The video clearly states that throughout the career the framerate is pretty solid. They had to set a race with certain conditions (noon/full racing pack/rain/specific track/standing start) to cause the frame rate drop at one point to to low 50’s/high 40’s. Please vacate back to your cave.
 
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TrebleShot

TrebleShot

Member
Riky said:
www.eurogamer.net

Gran Turismo 7 tech analysis: how Polyphony uses the power of PS5

At long last, Gran Turismo has truly returned. Leaving behind the interesting but ultimately incomplete GT Sport, Polyp…
www.eurogamer.net www.eurogamer.net

"However, if you look closely, it's clear that the level of detail is still not quite of a 'next generation' quality "


KThFVPl.jpg

Replay framerates can hit the mid twenties with RT and weather.
Click to expand...
Also stated this was a stress test
- Rain
- Dawn
- 20 cars
- start at the back of the grid.
 
GHG

GHG

Member
Markio128 said:
You’re such a drama queen lol. The video clearly states that throughout the career the framerate is pretty solid. They had to set a race with certain conditions (noon/full racing pack/rain/specific track/standing start) to cause the frame rate drop at one point to to low 50’s/high 40’s. Please vacate back to your cave.
Click to expand...

Thinking back, I think Kretos was being kind when he said green rats. Cockroaches would have been more apt.
 
SLB1904

SLB1904

Banned
Riky said:
www.eurogamer.net

Gran Turismo 7 tech analysis: how Polyphony uses the power of PS5

At long last, Gran Turismo has truly returned. Leaving behind the interesting but ultimately incomplete GT Sport, Polyp…
www.eurogamer.net www.eurogamer.net

"However, if you look closely, it's clear that the level of detail is still not quite of a 'next generation' quality "


KThFVPl.jpg

Replay framerates can hit the mid twenties with RT and weather.
Click to expand...
Lol

Because people play replays.

Tough year for some of you
 
MasterCornholio

MasterCornholio

Member
TrebleShot said:
Also stated this was a stress test
- Rain
- Dawn
- 20 cars
- start at the back of the grid.
Click to expand...

Riky Riky is right that VRR would help with those drops but he's wrong with saying that the PS5 isnt powerful enough to run the game at the current settings. There's no reason to downgrade the visuals to achieve a perfect 60FPS on rare situations.

With what Digital Foundry said I don't think anyone has to worry about the games performance. This isn't a repeat of Elden Ring or anything similar.
 
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Hobbygaming

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Riky said:
www.eurogamer.net

Gran Turismo 7 tech analysis: how Polyphony uses the power of PS5

At long last, Gran Turismo has truly returned. Leaving behind the interesting but ultimately incomplete GT Sport, Polyp…
www.eurogamer.net www.eurogamer.net

"However, if you look closely, it's clear that the level of detail is still not quite of a 'next generation' quality "


KThFVPl.jpg

Replay framerates can hit the mid twenties with RT and weather.
Click to expand...
You seem to be cherry picking. He says most of the time the framerate is good here besides when you select dusk, a full grid of cars and rain together
 
S

SomeGit

Member
Hunnybun said:
Extremely underwhelming for a PS5 game. Basically just a resolution upgrade and a few settings bumps.

Guess I'll have to wait for Forza Motorsport for a next gen racing game.
Click to expand...
By next gen hopefully it means a decent penalty system and a physics system that doesn’t take away grip at random.
 
J

jroc74

Phone reception is more important to me than human rights
Moonjt9 said:
I knew some of you would cherry pick the literal only instance of a frame drop in a very specific circumstance unlikely to be found in 99% of normal play. Stay predictable.

Game looks amazing. That sky. Those reflections. Those interiors. Can’t wait to get behind the wheel. Looks like I might have a new favorite GT since GT3!
Click to expand...
Pretty much.

Imagine listening to, watching this video and being unimpressed and posting cherry picked screens.

Some ppl need to have several seats.

scydrex said:
Dosen't the replay mode have RT too? Haven't watched de video.
Click to expand...
It does, but I dont know if it was used for that stress test.
 
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Tiago Rodrigues

Tiago Rodrigues

Member
Riky said:
www.eurogamer.net

Gran Turismo 7 tech analysis: how Polyphony uses the power of PS5

At long last, Gran Turismo has truly returned. Leaving behind the interesting but ultimately incomplete GT Sport, Polyp…
www.eurogamer.net www.eurogamer.net

"However, if you look closely, it's clear that the level of detail is still not quite of a 'next generation' quality "


KThFVPl.jpg

Replay framerates can hit the mid twenties with RT and weather.
Click to expand...
Ahhh yes, can't wait for replays to affect my gaming experience. Oh...wait...:pie_thinking:
 
Sosokrates

Sosokrates

Report me if I continue to console war
I like what they are doing with the lighting on the cars, also the level of detail on cars looks the best , pretty much agree with John says here however you can tell John is influenced by outside factors with this, he says the environments lack detail, then he says thery look good because of XYZ, then he says its derived from from GT sport and not representive of the PS5s power, then he says poly did an excellent job. Seems a bit defensive really, just stick to the technical facts John no need for your explanations, interpretations or at least reduce them, the flight sim comparison was interesting but I think he went on a little bit to much about the environments look good or dont look good, if hes happy about them or not happy about them etc...
 
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adamsapple

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
RT or not, a racing game just doesn't feel right at 30 FPS.

I wonder if we'll be able to get RT reflections at 60 FPS in any of the tentpole franchises this gen be it Forza or GT.


1bckp8.png



They don't need to be stingy with DRS either.
 
lh032

lh032

I cry about Xbox and hate PlayStation.
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Hobbygaming

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Sosokrates said:
I like what they are doing with the lighting on the cars, also the level of detail on cars looks the best , pretty much agree with John says here however you can tell John is influenced by outside factors with this, he says the environments lack detail, then he says thery look good because of XYZ, then he says its derived from from GT sport and not representive of the PS5s power, then he says poly did an excellent job. Seems a bit defensive really, just stick to the technical facts John no need for your explanations, interpretations or at least reduce them, the flight sim comparison was interesting but I think he went on a little bit to much about the environments look good or dont look good, if hes happy about them or not happy about them etc...
Click to expand...
I didn't really hear anything contradictory from him. Environmental detail can be improved but they've done a great job altogether
 
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