Gran Turismo 7
The Cornerstone Of Any Gran Turismo Experience
In my original first look at Gran Turismo 7, I briefly touched upon the many things a player can do in the main campaign mode. As the player completes collections in the Cafe mode, the world map slowly opens up. One of the most notorious modes is the License Center, arguably the bulk of Gran Turismo's gameplay. Since the first game, this feature has been the bane of many players who wish to simply win races and earn cars. Over time, it's something that I've come to respect but these tests aren't for the faint of heart.
In the older titles, failing these tests did nothing more than humiliating the player, especially in Gran Turismo 4 where many a player had the words "OHHHHHH YEAAAAAAAAAH" stuck in their head. In GT7, it takes its time with the player, allowing them to attempt on their own before offering demonstrations as guidance.
First Gym Challenge - The National B License
However, as with any GT title, the player will have to eventually earn licenses in order to open up more of the game's events. As I take GT7 under a microscope, I'll discuss my journey on getting all gold trophies for the B-License, the prize cars, and my overall preparation for a future license.
The more things change, the more things stay the same. Nothing proves this more than GT7's license exams. Every game begins with the same two tried and true challenges -- Accelerating and braking. It's absurdly simple in that the game requires you to brake after traveling a certain point in a straight line.
Go For The Gold, Even If Being Off 0.024ths Of A Second Is Frustrating
Getting gold means finding that sweet spot to stop just as all four tires hit the braking zone. This is easier said than done as you will have to brake quite a while before you reach the zone. This is even more of a challenge for Manual transmission users, as the car slows down faster the quicker you downshift.
It's not a difficult gold to achieve, but you'd be surprised how much work is required of the player to reach these "Golds." The majority of the tests involve different types of corners. Some can be taken at full throttle, some require braking, others require a combination of both. Fortunately, there are demonstrations that show the player how to handle these corners. There are also corner markers that signal the player the most opportune lane for their car to be in.
Don't Think Of Licenses As Punishment, But As A Tutorial
The key to getting golds in these tests is to practice, practice, and practice. It's not impossible to get all golds, especially as the thresholds are mere seconds away. Getting gold doesn't require perfection, it requires understanding that the player knows how to do the bare minimum. Its leniency early on is rewarding the player for their consistency, but in the later license tests, that margin grows smaller the more the player improves their skill.
The way license tests works are for the player to complete as many events that are required before reaching a roadblock that requires a specific license. This shows the player is ready for the next step in their education. Players are still encouraged to go for the gold as the cars they receive will carry them through the next several races. There's nothing more satisfying than owning a bunch of low-spec gas guzzlers with a 90s sports car after spending 10 minutes on a single license lesson.
Those who are struggling, take a deep breath, follow the corner markers, use the demonstration videos if needed, and treat it like a puzzle. You all got this and I believe in you. I'll be sure to see if I can maintain that same sense of optimism once I reach the I-B and I-A licenses. Good luck!
Gran Turismo 7 is available on the PS4 and PS5.