Ever since Gran Turismo 7 came out back in March 2022, the rFactor 2 vs Gran Turismo 7 debate has become pervasive among sim racing drivers. It is clear that they both have their advantages and disadvantages, but some players might be wondering which one is ideal for sim racing. With this blog post, we aim at demonstrating the differences between these two huge names in sim racing.
We will assist you in making a decision by evaluating how these two games compare about the following aspects: Realism in driving selection Availability of various cars and tracks Visual quality of graphics Ease of driving cars Ease of compatibility Tracks that are laser scanned Prices and Download So moving on let us proceed to our comparison’s bottom line.
- Driving realism
- Variety of cars and tracks
- Graphics quality
- Car handling
- Compatibility
- Laser scanned tracks
- Prices and Download
So let’s now get started with our in depth comparison guide.
Table of Contents
How realistic is it to drive?
rFactor 2 is perhaps one of the most specialized, but also one of the most powerful sim racing softwares that gets used in practice in the real racing world. Therefore, it’s only right that rFactor2 users are able to experience one of the most realistic and professional rFactor2 simulator available.
After years of testing our fair share of racing games, it is safe to say that rFactor 2 is still possibly one of the best simulator in terms of realistic driving experience cut-off which includes steering, sound effects, force feedback, tire model’s grip, etc.
The other decent racing simulator which is also a part of our collection is the Gran Turismo sport but its’ due date is only from March 2022.
Though they are sometimes regarded more as a game than a professional racing simulator, the creators of Gran Turismo 7 aim to realistic realism of their simulator engine in relation to real racing.
The simulation is, in fact, based on reality – the software was built around race physics!
Variety of cars and tracks
rFactor 2Racing does not have the most cars and race tracks to offer but they are definitely one of the best racing game when it comes to GT3 racing and Formula 3 racing in general.
93 different types of cars are manufactured and disengage in racing on 233 race tracks in total.
In contrast, Gran Turismo 7 has over 520 cars from as many manufacturers as possible scattered all over the globe.
On the whole, while the car details and specifications within Gran Turismo 7 are quite satisfactory, a bit of more realism wouldn’t hurt, especially in terms of car physics and handling.
Regarding different circuits, in total there are 35 venues plus an additional 25 different layouts for you to race on, which is considerably less than 233 tracks from rFactor 2.
Graphics quality
While racing in rFactor 2, we have state of the art graphics and there wouldn’t be a single thing to complain about.
The detail of both the car exterior and car interior is so much in depth that even the racing cockpit design are paid a lot of attention too.
If you are working with PC with good GPU and Processor, be prepared for the best graphics possible!
Gran Turismo 7 can be placed in the same category as them, thanks to its incredible graphics quality as well.
This has been one of their strong features since their introduction in 2022 and their specialized version for the Playstation has made it easier for Console players to take pleasure in the graphics
Car handling
One thing that we have heard over and over again is that the car handling in rFactor 2 is pretty hard to get used to.
Realistic, thanks, would be the term of choice rather than very hard.
Indeed, the only reason why driving the car in rFactor 2 is not losing too much effort is due the fact that it is way more difficult than in the case of Forza Horizon 5, Project Cars 3 and Nascar Heat 5 examples.
For example, at first it is indeed more complex to deal with, but once the familiarization takes place the level of realism gets better and hence what the racing fan is searching always.
On the other hand car handling in Gran Turismo 7 is simply not as good as rFactor 2, I mean you’ll hardly get the feel of the grip from the tyres and at times you won’t even know if the car is actually sliding or not.
But it is also relatively easier to adapt to, therefore we suggest Gran Turismo 7 to all players who are just getting into the game and are looking for a more fun and realistic racing simulation experience.
Compatibility (PC, Xbox, Playstation)
As you already know so well, rFactor 2 works exclusively on computers with Windows Operating Systems only with 7, 8, 10 and more.
Given that the PC platform is the optimal choice due to the availability of support for high-end GPUs, rFactor 2 takes the lead compared to other racing simulations which are console only.
That being said, racing with consoles should not be deprecated in totality, especially so, when racing Gran Turismo 7 which is a game unspecific to any other platform but Playstation (PS4 & PS5).
Indeed, particularly for the users of the Playstation everything about Gran Turismo 7 is better than rFactor 2 and there are only very few racing games suitable for Playstation 5 that are worth playing in the first place.
FOV (Field of view)
Definitively FOV is very important, it will probably be one of the most critical aspects that will determine the immersion level of your overall driving experience.
As it is with regard to the majority of racing titles, FOV can be modified and is included within the settings menu.
In the case of rFactor 2 and Gran Turismo 7, I think all users without exception would say that even by default settings the graphics in both games appear stunning so no custom settings are required.
That being said, don’t forget to check our free FOV calculator that was recently uploaded.
Are tracks laser scanned?
Laser scanning is something that will not have a direct impact on any racing capabilities but is nevertheless greatly appreciated by sim racers who look at this as a crucial factor to get right for any sim racing game.
In rFctor 2, race tracks are created based on real life locations, while GT7 has fictitious ones.
Therefore, a few of rFactor 2 tracks (but not all) are completely laser scanned including every detail and they include Monaco and the extremely famous Nordschleife.
In a similar fashion, Gran Turismo 7 has only limited tracks that are placed on real life tracks but only a select few of these are scanned to give users the best experience from the kerbs and Bumps on the track.
The tracks that are not laser scanned and which are fictitiously based and historically based on racing venues are the most popular ones.
Online multiplayer
Rfactor 2 is also a multi-player racing software with specific interest on the multiplayer racing.
This is a favorite simulator racing which is globally played by competitive sim racers who give each other a run for their titles in various races.
Indeed, rFactor 2 has a very quite complex licensing that allows you to enter competitive races against racers who are on the same level as you.
This way, there is always a winner but it still remains not easy.
A strategy like Gran Turismo 7 is focused on removing undesired outcomes and advancing the engagement even for newcomers, however, it is not close to rFactor 2 online events in terms of competitive and professionalism.
Force Feedback (FFB)
It is safe to say that both rFactor 2 and Gran Turismo 7 may not be the same platforms but both developers have maintained a very robust force feedback system.
Mostly driver would be comfortable with the preset as it is but you can always try out the force feedback settings to make the wheel feel easier or even heavier to drive when out on the track.
Prices and Downloads
rFactor 2 prices
RF2 currently costs $31.99 and you can purchase it through the Steam platform.
Gran Turismo 7 prices
|
Device |
Price |
Link |
|
Playstation |
$69.99 |
Playstation Download |
So which one is better for you?
As you probably noticed, the two alternatives to Gran Turismo 7 are rFactor 2 and GT Sport and that they do fit the category you may be looking for in a sim racing game.
If for instance, you are in the quest for the most realistic course with amazing FOV coupled with perfectly scanned tracks, rFactor 2 will cut it for you.
But if, for example, one is quite comfortable with playing Gran Turismo 7 on comfort level online multiplayer GT gameplay with some challenge, then it’s probably just competitive.
You are encouraged to actually use them both and find out what feels to work best for you!
Happy sim racing as always!
