So, my own personal thoughts on GT7's Spec 2.0 update based on what we know.
- I already thought the car selection offered from this update is pretty good and it's the biggest number we were given since back in the December and February updates offered about a year ago each. Yeah, there's no race cars sure, which is a shame as I thought race cars were just as much of an association with GT as their road cars.
- However, the road cars on offer are an amazing bunch such as the new Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Nismo 400R, 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, and Lexus LFA. I do adore the Porsche 911 and its crazy track variants, so the GT3 RS was a joyful addition for me. The Nismo 400R is a longtime nostalgia trip for me as the ultimate R33 Skyline and one of my favorite Skylines ever. I'm really surprised the Charger is the 1968 model as I expected the 1970 440 R/T from previous games to be picked, but I welcome the 1968 as it's become my favorite. I love the circular taillights that year had plus the cleaner front-end. There's also my love for it as being the baddie car in Bullitt, now PD just needs to add the 1968 Mustang GT as an opponent.
- The Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II is going to be a treat to drive like the other Gr.A road going cars in GT7, finally the last rival for the e30 M3 is here. I just hope PD doesn't include it in one of the new license tests and it involves following the GT-R Pace Car around the Nordschliefe. I don't need to go through that again.
- The only car I'm not excited about is the Tesla Model 3, which I know there's people asking for newer Teslas including the Model S Plaid, but I just have never been the most enthusiastic about this brand like how some people can be. EVs are also not my favorite thing in the world. I don't hate them and will drive one, I'm willing to give them a try as I'll probably have to. But I just feel mostly "meh" about them.
- The track choice is also something I'm not that excited about as I haven't cared the most about offroad racing in this game. I only put in the hours I did on Fisherman's Ranch for instance because I wanted to grind for money. Which became obs elate when those 4 events came in plus the circuit experience. I mean, I'm going to give it a try of course and I bet the snowy landscape will be fun for photomode, but I don't think I'll enjoy the driving on it. The last GT game I honestly enjoyed offroad racing was Gran Turismo 3 and I don't think that'll change anytime soon.
- Now having Sophy A.I. being a permanent addition in GT7, that's a great addition even if it's just for Arcade Mode. The bright side of that is that I get more motivation to try arcade mode as I think that'll provide a new fun challenge beyond the chase-the-rabbit races GT7 mostly has.
- The next highlight for Spec II is something I wanted for a while, new ways to earn roulette tickets and the weekly challenges are pretty close to what I had in mind. It'll be a joy to go back and repeat events in an effort to earn some new tickets that may result in better prizes. They remind me a lot of the seasonal events from GT5-6 and that's a good thing.
- Along with that, another thing I was wanting for a while was increased payouts for arcade mode including custom race mode. Once again, the way they're implementing the payout increases is pretty much inline with what I wanted. Making them based on how much circuit experiences I completed and my collector's level is a great idea. My only concern is if it's enough.
- More License Tests, I wasn't asking for them, but I at the same time am willing to take them on. Especially with that meaning I can earn more prize cars. Oh god, I hope there's no 1 lap guide runs.
- The other new features like split-screen multiplayer, the paddock, and improved photo mode options also sound quite nice. I don't know if I'll use them other than the new shutter speeds for photo mode, but I'll take that anyway.
- The menu books are of course one of the most "mid" things about the update, I don't get why they think people would like extra menus versus just making them new career mode challenges, but whatever.
Overall, it's definately the best update they have made in my opinion. I think some of the changes might actually motivate me to play GT7 more often again like I was at launch, but I of course won't truly know until tomorrow. I currently been working from home, so I'll be able to find time to enjoy myself on the update in the morning.
